Grilled Bassett Creek Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter
Fresh trout grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon-dill butter, inspired by the natural setting of Bassett Creek Regional Trail. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper 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 and scaled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Rub 2 whole trout with 2 tbsp olive oil, then season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Step 3: Place trout directly on the grill grates and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until skin is crisp and flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: Remove trout from grill and immediately spread half of the lemon-dill butter over each fish while hot, allowing it to melt into the flesh. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Bassett Creek Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Bassett Creek 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bassett Creek 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 Grilled Bassett Creek 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 Grilled Bassett Creek Trout with Lemon-Dill 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.