Grilled Cedar-Planked Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh trout grilled on cedar planks and topped with a bright lemon-dill butter that enhances the natural flavors of the fish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs soaked in water for 1 hour cedar planks, 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: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a grill to medium heat (about 350°F). Pat 2 whole trout dry with paper towels and season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Rub the outside of each trout with 1 tbsp olive oil, then place each trout onto a soaked cedar plank.
  4. Step 4: Spread half of the lemon-dill butter inside each trout cavity, reserving the rest for serving.
  5. Step 5: Place the cedar planks with trout on the grill and close the lid. Grill for 15-20 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the butter is melted and aromatic.
  6. Step 6: Carefully remove the planks from the grill and serve the trout topped with the remaining lemon-dill butter for extra richness.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cedar-Planked Trout with Lemon-Dill Butter take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Grilled Cedar-Planked 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cedar-Planked 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 Cedar-Planked Trout with Lemon-Dill 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 Grilled Cedar-Planked 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.

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