Pan-Seared Trout with Lemon-Dill Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-29 · Updated 2026-06-29

A simple pan-seared trout fillet topped with a fragrant lemon and dill butter inspired by regional freshwater fishing traditions. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs trout fillets, unsalted butter, fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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) trout fillets
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 trout fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until well mixed; set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the trout fillets skin-side down, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden; carefully flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove fillets from the skillet and immediately spoon the lemon-dill butter on top, allowing it to melt and coat each fillet before serving.