Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-19 · Updated 2026-05-19

Delicately smoked local trout topped with a fresh herbed butter, showcasing the farm-to-table ethos with bright, natural flavors. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs whole trout, cleaned and gutted, unsalted butter, fresh dill, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs whole trout, cleaned and gutted
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1.5 cups apple wood chips

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this fish with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse and pat dry 2 lbs whole trout, then season inside and out with 1 tbsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Mix 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp lemon zest until combined.
3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 200°F and add 1.5 cups soaked apple wood chips.
4. Step 4: Place the trout on the smoker rack skin-side down and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the flesh flakes easily.
5. Step 5: Remove the trout and immediately spread the herb butter evenly over the hot fish to melt and infuse flavor before serving.