Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb Butter

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

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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb Butter?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb 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 Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb 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 Farmstead Smoked Trout with Herb Butter?

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.

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