Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe

Name: Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound steelhead trout filet, skin removed optional; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 a lemon, juice squeezed; 1-2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons parsley, minced; salt and pepper to taste

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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. Baking fish in foil with garlic, butter, and lemon is an easy, winning combo that yields a juicy buttery flavor. While the prep work takes minutes, the cleanup only takes seconds.

Flakey cut piece of steelhead trout cooked in foil with herb butter sauce.

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.

The cook-in-foil method is incredibly easy because there is minimal cleanup. I’m talking done-in-25-minutes easy. Drizzle/spread trout or fish of your choice with lemon, softened butter, fresh minced garlic, and fresh herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Seal in an aluminum foil packet and bake for 15-17 minutes.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Steelhead trout filet, skin removed optional: once the fish is done cooking, the skin will easily separate from the meat. You can also remove the skin prior to cooking if you prefer. You can also make this with salmon.
2 tablespoons butter
Lemon: I like to reserve lemon for just before serving as well. It’s hard to beat a fresh squeeze of lemon on finished fish.
Garlic: fresh garlic is a must. Do not attempt to substitute with anything pre-minced or garlic powder.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

How to Cook Fish in Foil

Step 1.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 2.

Roll out a sheet of aluminum foil that is roughly 8 inches longer than the filet. If your filet is larger/wider, you can crimp together two pieces of foil so you have more foil to work with. Spray with cooking oil.

Step 3.

Place the trout filet in the center of the foil. Fold up all 4 sides of the foil. Season trout liberally with salt and pepper and then squeeze juice from half a lemon over the fish.

Step 4.

Soften butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in fresh minced garlic and parsley. Spread over the trout until evenly coated with a thin layer. You can alternatively melt the butter and pour it over the fish. Top with a sliced lemon wheel.

Uncooked steelhead trout covered in herb butter paste.

Step 5.

Fold the long sides of the foil over the trout, covering completely, and seal it tightly. Fold the ends over and seal into a closed packet. Place directly on oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake until cooked fully through, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 6.

Optional step: Open the foil exposing the top of the trout and broil for the last 1-2 minutes, for a browned top.

Tips & Tricks

There are a few methods when it comes to covering the fish in garlic butter. If you soften the butter into a soft paste, you can evenly spread it on top of the filet. It’s a great way to ensure the fish is entirely covered. Melting the butter entirely works, too.
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. If your fish is on the larger side, you can crimp together two pieces of foil so you have a larger surface area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does steelhead trout taste like?

Steelhead trout is very similar to salmon in appearance and flavor, yet slightly more mild in terms of taste. Salmon makes a great substitute for steelhead trout.

Can I use rainbow trout?

Rainbow trout is different in flavor, appearance, and texture. I would substitute salmon for rainbow trout if you’re trying to create a similar flavor profile to steelhead trout.

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