Campfire Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter
Fresh trout roasted over an open flame, brushed with a zesty lemon and dill butter for a smoky outdoor flavor. This north american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs softened unsalted butter, fresh dill, chopped, lemon zest 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 fish (about 1 lb each) whole trout, cleaned
- 4 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare campfire or grill to medium heat (350-375°F). In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Rinse and pat dry 2 whole cleaned trout (about 1 lb each). Brush each fish inside and out with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 3: Stuff the cavity of each trout with half of the lemon-dill butter mixture. Reserve the rest for basting.
- Step 4: Wrap each trout loosely in foil and place on the grill or over hot coals. Cook for 15-20 minutes, turning once and basting with remaining butter mixture, until flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Carefully unwrap and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Campfire Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill 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 Campfire Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill 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 softened unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Campfire Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill 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 Campfire Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter 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 Roasted Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter?
North American 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.
