This grilled trout recipe is quick, easy, and healthy. Done in 30 minutes this simply seasoned fish with fresh herbs and seasoning makes the perfect entree for grilling season.
What are rainbow trout?
This species of trout live in the cold water rivers off the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. A species of salmonid they can grow to be 1-5 pounds in weight. They hold the honor of being one of the top 100 invasive species in the world and can be either caught in the wild or raised in fish hatcheries.
The fish have a mild, nutty flavor with tender white flesh. They are generally cooked whole, and gutted. When cooked the meat has a tender flake to it with a pale color.
What I should I look for when buying the trout?
The outward appearance of the fish's skin should be dark, shiny, and have a slippery feel. As with all fish if when doing the "sniff test" it should not actually smell fishy. It really shouldn't smell like anything if it is fresh.
Avoid fish that has been frozen, has a grey color, smells off, or appears dry.
Cooking Instructions
Generally trout come gutted and cleaned from the fish counter. However, if it has not then ask them to do this for you.
If you are prepping the fish yourself then follow the below steps.
- The head and tail - you can either cut these off or leave them on. Either way it will not affect the cooking time or taste of the dish. To cut the head off slice between the collarbone and the gills.
- To remove the guts make a slit along the bottom side of the fish from the throat to the bottom. Remove the insides, and then clean with water.
Preheat your gas grill, or prepare your charcoal grill. To prep the fish coat the outside of it lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper inside and out.
Stuff the inside of the fish with the sliced lemon slices, garlic cloves, thyme, dill, and parsley. If you do not have fresh herbs then dried herbs with work just fine.
Place the prepared fish on a lightly oiled grill. Grill for five minutes on one side and then flip to grill another five minutes on the other side. The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145-degrees.
To make this a complete meal add a few fresh veggies to the grill and serve both immediately with a fresh green salad.
Recipe
How to Grill Trout
Ingredients
- 1 whole rainbow trout cleaned and gutted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 3 slices lemon
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 sprig fresh dill
- 1 sprig fresh parsley
- 1 garlic clove sliced
Instructions
- Rub olive oil on outside of trout, then season with salt and pepper. Salt and pepper the inside of the trout.
- Place lemon slices, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs on the inside of the trout.
- Cook on a preheated grill for ten minutes then flip and cook an additional ten minutes.
- Flip trout, and cook five minutes or until done.
Notes
- The head and tail - you can either cut these off or leave them on. Either way it will not affect the cooking time or taste of the dish. To cut the head off slice between the collarbone and the gills.
- To remove the guts make a slit along the bottom side of the fish from the throat to the bottom. Remove the insides, and then clean with water.
Anthony Fleming says
Quick and easy makes a perfect healthy grilling option for any time of year. Thanks!
Matt says
Thank you! So happy you were happy with the recipe and it sounds like the meal was delicious!
Sarah says
So easy and delicious! I can’t imagine how good it will taste when I remember the garlic next time. (;
Matt says
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! That's the beauty of this recipe, you can definitely mix it up!