15-Minute Lemon Garlic Steelhead Trout Recipe

A Quick and Flavorful Lemon Garlic Steelhead Trout

I love lemon and citrus flavors, and I really love garlic. The idea of putting both together in a buttery sauce just makes my tastebuds happy. This lemon garlic steelhead trout is one of those recipes that feels like a treat but comes together in no time. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes. It works beautifully with steelhead trout, but don’t stop there. You can use this same recipe with salmon, cod, or whatever fish you have on hand. It’s flexible, full of flavor, and easy enough for a weeknight.

If you’re wondering about the difference between steelhead trout and salmon, I’ve got you covered. While they come from the same family, steelhead trout has a slightly lighter, milder flavor and a firmer texture compared to salmon. For more details on their differences, check out the full breakdown [here].

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How to Make Lemon Garlic Steelhead Trout

This one comes together fast, so once you’ve got everything prepped, you’re only minutes away from dinner.

1. Prep your pan. Add a little oil to your skillet and start heating it over medium heat. You can use butter, olive oil, or a little of both — just make sure the pan’s hot before adding the fish.

2. Get the fish ready. Rinse the steelhead trout fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Then season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Sear the fish. Place the fillets in the hot pan skin-side down. Let them cook until the skin is crisp and the bottom is golden, then flip and cook the other side for a few minutes. Once both sides have color and the fish is nearly done, remove them from the pan.

4. Make the sauce. In the same pan, lower the heat and add the butter. Stir in the garlic and lemon zest and let it cook for about 30 seconds to a minute, just until the raw edge is gone.

5. Finish it off. Pour in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Let it bubble gently, then add the fish back to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the fillets while they finish cooking. The fish is ready when it flakes easily and looks opaque.

Recommended Tools for This Recipe

• A heavy skillet or sauté pan — cast iron works great for getting a good sear

• A sturdy spatula to flip your fish without breaking it

• A zester to get that fresh lemon zest

• A lemon juicer or reamer for easy lemon juice extraction

Don’t Toss That Sauce

Before you go scraping that pan clean, stop right there. That lemon garlic butter is packed with flavor and too good to waste. Spoon it over some fragrant jasmine rice or toss the rice in the pan to soak up every bit. It also works great on pasta, especially bowties or wide ribbon noodles that hold onto the sauce.

If you’ve got a little extra time before making this quick lemon garlic steelhead trout, try my French bread recipe and turn it into garlic bread. You already know I love my garlic. And if you're a garlic lover too, this whole plate is going to make you happy.

Try These

If this lemon garlic steelhead trout hit the spot, you’ll probably like what else I’ve got cooking. Check out the recipes below for more quick dinners, easy sides, and dishes full of flavor. I’m always adding new ones, so keep coming back to see what’s fresh from my kitchen!