Lemon Butter Herb Baked Trout

I love this lemon butter herb baked trout made with just a few simple fresh ingredients in less than 20 minutes. Succulent, melt-in-your-mouth and delish.

I make these baked trout fillets often because they are quick and easy to prepare and you can cook vegetables in the same pan at the same time to make a one pan meal. I usually add asparagus, chopped cauliflower or bok choy and broccoli to the pan.

These options take about the same time as the trout if cut small enough. Just toss the veggies with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper before roasting. If you like them roasted a little more, place the veggies back in the oven while you are portioning and plating the fish.

How much trout do you need per person? I calculate about 1/2 pound per person as a nice generous portion.

How do you know when the trout is cooked? That depends on how you like it. For moist and tender trout, cook it to a medium or medium-rare. The flesh will just turn opaque and it will be a warm pink in the middle. It should not be pale, dry and flaky.

What can I serve with this trout recipe? There are so many options. Here are a few of my faves:

• For a 3 in 1 side dish try Party Salad With Vegetables and Quinoa. This side plus the trout make a beautiful lunch or dinner for company.
• Butternut Squash Salad Cups and Instant Pot Risotto with Grill Vegetables would also be great sides for company.
• Good options for weeknight side dishes are Parmesan Orzo With Spinach ,  Cauliflower Rice with Pesto , Chinese Stir Fried Green Beans or easy Creamed Spinach.

Tailor To Your Taste

• Herbs: I use a combination of fresh dill and parsley with green onions (not a herb). Other good options are basil, tarragon and chives – along with green onions. Thyme is good too, but use less because too much would overwhelm the delicate flavor of the fish.
• Chop fresh peak-of-the-season tomatoes and sprinkle them on top before serving. Drizzle on good olive oil if you like.
• Sprinkle chopped roasted walnuts, pecans or pistachios over the trout fillets once cooked.
• You can use all butter or all olive oil instead of a combination.
• Try salmon instead of trout with this similar roasted salmon stuffed with herbs recipe.

Make Ahead

You can make this trout recipe an hour or two ahead if you are serving the trout at room temperature for a buffet or brunch. Otherwise, I suggest stuffing the fillets with the chopped herbs several hours or even a day ahead. Just before serving, add the butter, oil, salt and pepper, then bake .

Other easy fish and trout recipes

If you love fish, here are a few other recipes you can try – all under 30 minutes

• maple balsamic rainbow trout
• baked fish fillets with cherry tomato sauce (20 minutes)
• sous vide salmon recipe with caper sauce
• Canadian maple cedar plank salmon
• coconut curry salmon
• salmon stuffed with lemon ricotta

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5 from 3 votes

Lemon Butter Herb Baked Trout

I love this lemon butter herb baked trout made with just a few simple fresh ingredients in less than 20 minutes. Succulent, melt-in-your-mouth and delish.

Prep Time8 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time18 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Servings: 4

1x2x3x

Author: Cheryl

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 2 lbs trout fillets (preferably 2-3 larger size fillets)
• 1 cup finely chopped herbs Note 1 I use parsley and dill mixed with green onions
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lemon 2 tbsp lemon juice plus zest of whole lemon
• salt and pepper

Instructions

• HEAT OVEN TO 400F. Prepare a pan lined with parchment or foil sprayed with oil.
• PREPARE TROUT FILLETS: Lay fillets on pan. Microwave butter and oil for 20-30 seconds until melted. Using a sharp knife, cut slits horizontally every 2 inches on each fillet (about 3-4 slits per fillet). Stuff half of mixed herbs into slits. Sprinkle fillets with salt and pepper. Drizzle HALF of butter oil mixture (about 2 tbsp) over trout.
• BAKE TROUT: for 9-11 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets, or until cooked. Ideally, trout will be moist and warm pink - not dry, pale and flaky.
• FINISH AND SERVE: Sprinkle remaining herbs and lemon zest over top of fillets. Drizzle remaining butter-oil mixture. Sprinkle lightly with sea or kosher salt. To serve: To serve without skin, slip spatula between flesh and skin, then lift up. I cut trout into portions first (just down to the skin) to make this easier. Serve immediately.

Notes

1. Herbs: I suggest using fresh herbs for this dish (well green onion isn't a herb but I always use it in my herb combination). Another option is green onion, one fresh herb and 1- 2 teaspoons of a dried herb such as basil or thyme. Or just use two herbs - whatever you like best.
2. Make Ahead: You can make this ahead if you are serving the trout at room temperature, say for a buffet or brunch. Otherwise, I suggest stuffing the fillets with chopped herbs several hours or even a day ahead. Then add the butter, oil, salt and pepper and bake just before serving. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Butter Herb Baked Trout

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 147mg49%

Sodium 323mg14%

Potassium 939mg27%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 48g96%

Vitamin A 1570IU31%

Vitamin C 35mg42%

Calcium 125mg13%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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