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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
