From start to finish, garlic butter steelhead trout (or salmon), cooked in foil is the easiest trout recipe in the world. I’ve most likely claimed this before on this blog, but I swear this is really the one.
Patty and I picked up some steelhead trout at the grocery store for something a little different. Steelhead trout is very similar to salmon in appearance, however steelhead trout tends to be a little stronger in flavor. Not to be confused with rainbow trout, which tends to be lighter and color and milder in flavor in my experience.
We weren’t planning anything special for dinner on this random Tuesday night. This recipe was actually a last-minute, on the spot, no measure, “wing it” masterpiece. I decided to make this in aluminum foil because I wasn’t really in the mood for cooking or cleaning.
We’ve made salmon in aluminum foil in the past, but never trout. I had lemon, butter, and garlic in the fridge—an easy winning combo that yields a juicy, buttery finish, you won’t get with a baking sheet or pan searing.
Watch How to Cook Steelhead Trout in Foil
I think the ingredients speak for themselves. Can ingredients speak? The lemon will give your trout a perfect zesty fresh finish, while the butter and garlic will do exactly what butter and garlic always do. Create awesomeness out of nothing.
How to Cook Fish in Foil
The cook-in-foil method is incredibly easy because there is minimal cleanup. I’m talking done-in-25-minutes easy. Drizzle trout or fish of your choice with lemon, melted butter, fresh minced garlic, fresh herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Seal in an aluminum foil packet and bake for 15-17 minutes.
This foil method will work for just about any fish and any topping. I’ve done it with cod, haddock, salmon, and of course trout.
But most of all, my favorite part is the cleanup—roll up the foil, place in trash, grab yourself a beer because you just successfully threw your dishes away for the evening. That’s always a win in my book, gourmet taste without the gourmet effort (or cleanup).
Love This? You’ll Like These
Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Description
Simple steelhead trout recipe baked in foil with garlic, lemon, butter, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound steelhead trout filet, skin removed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 a lemon, juice squeezed
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon parsley, minced (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray and place the trout filet in the center. Fold up all 4 sides of the foil. Season trout with salt and pepper and then squeeze juice from half a lemon over the fish until covered.
- Melt butter in microwave safe bowl, stir in fresh minced garlic, and drizzle over the trout until evenly coated. Top with fresh minced parsley.
- Fold the sides of the foil over the trout, covering completely, and seal into a closed packet. Place directly on oven rack and bake until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Optional step: Open the foil exposing the top of the trout and broil for the last 4-5 minutes, for a browned top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 357
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 79mg
- Fat: 17.2g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7g
- Carbohydrates: 1.9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 45.7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: trout recipes, fish in foil, steelhead trout recipes
This was our first time eating steelhead trout. This recipe made us a fan. I added some dill with the butter and garlic. This will def be my go to recipe. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Fantastic recipe! I did not have parsley so I used some dried sage, and it worked really well. I also did not have any foil, so I ended up using some parchment paper – still worked! Overall, really moist and delicious steelhead.
★★★★★
So delicious!! I had a large 2 serving piece of trout and cooked it for 25 mins and its absolutely perfect.
★★★★★
I grew up in Idaho catching Brook and Rainbow trout. Friends and family went steelhead fishing further into the mountains. The State of Idaho is a large producer of farm raised trout in natural waters flowing from the aquifer to the Snake River.
This recipe allows me to taste those memories again. Thank you for it.
★★★★★
can you put it on a smoker/grill
This was absolutely a great recipe!!
★★★★★
This was excellent. It took minutes to make. I thinly sliced vidalia onions and topped the trout with them and the lemon garlic parsley butter sauce. I broiled it at the end for a few minutes. Will defintely make this again.
I will never bake steel head again – the method in this recipe makes a piece of fish that is really excellent. I’m going to try it with salmon…and other kinds of fish.
★★★★★
I have 2 fillets. Can I put them in the same packet or do they need to be seperate?
I may split them up for even cooking and best results.