Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley

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

Delicately pan-seared trout fillets finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley for a bright, simple seafood dish. This polish-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) trout fillets, olive oil, large lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 Polish cuisine 240 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 trout fillets (6 oz each). Season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add fillets skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip fillets carefully and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, squeeze juice of 1 large lemon over fillets, and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley on top.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley 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 Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley?

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 Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley?

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 Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley 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 Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon and Fresh Parsley?

Polish 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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