Pan-Seared Istrian Trout with Herb and Olive Tapenade
Fresh trout from Istrian waters pan-seared to perfection, topped with a vibrant herb and olive tapenade that highlights the Mediterranean flavors of the region. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs Istrian trout fillets, extra virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary 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.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (6 oz each) Istrian trout fillets
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup, pitted and chopped black olives
- 2 tbsp, rinsed capers
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- to taste sea salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
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Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 Istrian trout fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Place trout fillets skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden; flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: While trout cooks, combine 1/2 cup chopped black olives, 2 tbsp rinsed capers, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp finely chopped thyme, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a bowl; mix well to create tapenade.
- Step 5: Remove trout from skillet, plate, and spoon the olive and herb tapenade generously over each fillet while still warm to release aroma and flavors.








