Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh lake trout fillets baked to golden perfection with a rich garlic butter sauce that enhances the delicate fish flavor. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 30 minutes pairs skin-on lake trout fillets, minced garlic, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place lake trout fillets skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the top of each fillet with 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill until fully combined. Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over the fish fillets.
  3. Step 3: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the skin is crisp. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep skin-on lake trout fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Lake Trout with Garlic Butter?

American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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