Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs
Fresh trout fillets cooked over a campfire in foil packets with garlic butter, lemon slices, and fresh herbs for a smoky, tender finish. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) trout fillets, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 fillets (6 oz each) trout fillets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 medium, thinly sliced lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Lay out two large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 12x12 inches each). Place one trout fillet in the center of each foil sheet. Drizzle each fillet with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Combine 3 tbsp unsalted butter with 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme in a small bowl. Spread half of this garlic butter mixture evenly over each trout fillet.
- Step 3: Top each fillet with 4-5 thin lemon slices. Fold the foil edges to create sealed packets, making sure to leave some space inside for steam.
- Step 4: Place foil packets on hot campfire coals or grill over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the trout flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- Step 5: Carefully open the foil packets to avoid steam, then transfer the trout to plates and spoon any melted garlic butter over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs 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 Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs?
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 Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Campfire Foil-Packet Garlic Butter Trout with Lemon and Herbs?
General seafood 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.
