Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon

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

A refreshing salad featuring smoked trout, crisp vegetables, and a bright dill-lemon dressing, inspired by Ghent's riverfront cuisine. This Belgian-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs smoked trout fillets, radishes, cucumber 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.

Prep: 15 min Serves 2 Belgian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice smoked trout fillets into 1 cm thick pieces. Thinly slice radishes and cucumber into rounds. Finely dice 1/4 medium red onion. Chop 2 tbsp fresh dill, reserving a few sprigs for garnish.
  2. Step 2: Zest and juice 1 lemon. Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, lemon zest, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine radishes, cucumber, red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped dill. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently to coat.
  4. Step 4: Arrange dressed vegetables on a serving platter. Place smoked trout pieces on top, then drizzle with any remaining dressing. Garnish with reserved dill sprigs and lemon zest.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately at room temperature for best flavor. The bright acidity of the dressing cuts through the richness of the smoked trout perfectly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon?

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 Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon?

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 Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon 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 Ghent-Style Smoked Trout Salad with Dill and Lemon?

Belgian salads 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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