Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (2024)

HOME Recipes Main Course Seafood

By Shawn Williams

4.66 from 58 votes

Jan 09, 2017, Updated Jul 10, 2023

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

From start to finish, garlic butter steelhead trout, cooked in foil is the easiest trout recipe in the world. 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, making this a 25-minute recipe with cleanup included!

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (2)

Steelhead trout is very similar to salmon in both flavor and appearance, however, steelhead trout tends to be a little milder. Not to be confused with rainbow trout, which tends to be lighter and color and milder in flavor in my experience.

Table of Contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • How to Cook Steelhead Trout in Foil
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Salmon to Love
  • Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

The cook-in-foil method is incredibly easy because there is very minimalcleanup. I’m talking done-in-25-minutes easy. Because the fish is wrapped in foil, the fish is steamed, retaining the moisture, and rendering juicy and tender meat.

Looking for similar buttery and delicious recipes? Try my baked Triscuit-crusted cod, easy lemon butter scallops, and my delicious shrimp scampi!

Ingredients

  • Steelhead trout filet: Look for a full longer portion of trout that hasn’t been cut into individual pieces. You can remove the skin but it’s optional. Once the fish is done cooking, the skin will easily separate from the meat. Salmon makes a great substitute.
  • Butter: butter helps form the paste that coats the whole fish. It adds buttery flavor and texture to every bite. Use salted or unsalted. If using unsalted, you may need an extra pinch of salt on the fish.
  • 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. For even more flavor, incorporate lemon zest.
  • Garlic: fresh garlic is a must. Do not substitute with anything pre-minced or garlic powder for best results. A microphone is my favorite way to finely mince fresh garlic into a paste.
  • Parsley: both parsley and basil are delicious herbs for this recipe. I always suggest fresh over anything dried for best results. The measurements of fresh ingr

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

How to Cook Steelhead Trout in Foil

Step 1.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Soften butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in fresh minced garlic and parsley. Set aside. This can be made ahead so the flavors meld.

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 then squeeze juice from half a lemon over the fish.

Step 4.

Spread the butter mix 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.

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (3)

Step 5.

Fold the long sides of the foil over the trout, covering it completely, and seal it tightly. Fold the ends over and seal into a closed packet. Place directly on an 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.

Expert Tips

  • 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 milder 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.

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (4)

More Salmon to Love

Cilantro Lime Salmon in Foil Recipe

Sesame Ginger Salmon in Foil Recipe

Bourbon Glazed Salmon Recipe

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

4.66 from 58 votes

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 2

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Save

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (9)

Simple steelhead trout recipe baked in foil with garlic, lemon, butter, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound steelhead trout filet, skin removed optional
  • 3 tablespoons butter, salted
  • 1/2 a lemon, juice squeezed
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced/grated
  • 2 teaspoons parsley, minced
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 1.9gProtein: 45.7gFat: 17.2gSaturated Fat: 3.7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 79mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Garlic Butter Steelhead Trout in Foil Recipe (2024)

FAQs

At what temperature is steelhead trout fully cooked? ›

Steelhead Trout Cooking Guide

Like most fish, Steelhead should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F.

Do you cook steelhead trout the same as salmon? ›

Steelhead trout is often mistaken for salmon, as they both have bright orange-pink flesh that cooks to opaque. Substitute steelhead trout for salmon in most recipes. Compared to Atlantic salmon, which is often found in thick cuts, steelhead trout are smaller and thinner, and cook more quickly.

How do you prepare trout before cooking? ›

Spatchco*cked and cleaned, just brush it lightly with olive oil on both sides, sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and broil a couple minutes on both sides. I like crunchy skin so I do the fish side first then the skin side and wait until the first sign of blistering under the heat, that is perfect.

Is steelhead trout healthier than salmon? ›

Although they look similar, salmon and steelhead are very different. Steelhead is a better choice nutritionally since it has less fat, fewer calories, and nearly the same amount of protein per serving. Steelhead also contains more omega-3 fatty acids, less sodium, and less cholesterol.

What is the minimum cooking temperature for trout? ›

According to the USDA's Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature Guide, cook fish until the center reaches 145°F on an instant-read or meat thermometer.

Is steelhead trout more expensive than salmon? ›

In general, salmon tends to be more expensive than steelhead, partly due to its popularity and demand. Additionally, some salmon species are more rare or difficult to catch, which can drive up the price. The price of salmon can also vary depending on whether it is farmed or wild-caught.

Why is steelhead cheaper than salmon? ›

Salmon is more expensive than steelhead trout because it can only spawn once, making the stock of salmon more limited than other seafood. Steelhead trout also breed more fish eggs in addition to spawning not just twice, but thrice. Additionally, some species like the king salmon are also difficult to catch.

Is steelhead high in mercury? ›

Fish in California were tested for chemicals in their bodies. The most common chemicals found in fish in California are mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). American shad, Chinook (king) salmon, and steelhead trout were low in these chemicals. Striped bass and sturgeon had more mercury and PCBs in their flesh.

Should you wash trout before cooking? ›

Rinse the fish under a faucet, using the tip of the knife to scrape out any black stuff that remains behind (usually along the fish's spine at the bottom of the cavity). After cleaning out the insides, cut off the head (just before the pectoral fin). Rinse the trout thoroughly, inside and out.

Can you overcook trout? ›

Rainbow trout fillets are a delicate fish, and they can easily become overcooked and dry if left in the pan or oven for too long. Here are a few tips for cooking rainbow trout fillets without drying them out: Preheat your oven or pan to a moderate temperature (350-375°F).

Does steelhead trout have a lot of bones? ›

There are approximately 17 intramuscular floating pin bones on each side of the fish, but there will also be a few small bones near the head toward the front of the flesh as well. Use your finger to ascertain the position of these bones.

Can you eat the skin on steelhead trout? ›

As long as fish have been properly cleaned and the outer scales fully removed, the skin is typically safe to eat. Because fish is a great source of nutrients like iron and omega-3 fatty acids, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends eating a 4-ounce (113-gram) serving of fish 2–3 times per week ( 2 ).

Can you eat steelhead trout raw? ›

Norwegian steelhead trout has a pure and fresh flavor. The firm and velvety texture and beautiful marbling make it perfect for raw, marinated, and lightly cooked dishes. It is slightly more sensitive to heat compared to Norwegian salmon, but treat it right and you are in for a delicious meal.

How do you know when steelhead trout is cooked? ›

Check the internal temperature. This is the easiest and most accurate way to tell if your fish is cooked. It should be 145 degrees.

Can steelhead trout be medium rare? ›

Preheat broiler or grill. Cook the steelhead trout, turning once — five to six minutes each side for medium rare.

What temperature is trout finished? ›

Once your smoker is preheated, remove the fillets from the brine. Smoke the trout fillets until your trout reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. At this point, your trout should be cooked throughout and should flake easily.

What temperature is best for steelhead? ›

Lifespan: Typically 6-8 years in the Great Lakes region. Habitat: During the lake-dwelling portion of their lives, steelhead are often found in waters less than 35 feet (11 meters) deep with temperatures of 58-62 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or 14-17 degrees Celsius (C).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 5849

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.