Grilled Minnesota Walleye with Lemon-Dill Butter

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

Fresh Minnesota walleye fillets grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon-dill compound butter that enhances the mild, flaky fish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs walleye fillets, skin on, unsalted butter, softened, fresh dill, finely 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until well combined; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush 4 walleye fillets with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
  3. Step 3: Place the fillets skin-side down on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and the fish easily releases from the grates.
  4. Step 4: Flip carefully and grill for another 2-3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove from the grill and top each fillet with a generous teaspoon of the lemon-dill butter. Let melt over the warm fish before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Minnesota Walleye with Lemon-Dill Butter take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Minnesota Walleye with Lemon-Dill 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 Grilled Minnesota Walleye 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 Minnesota Walleye 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 Minnesota Walleye 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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