Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

This dish features fresh trout inspired by the Minnesota River region, roasted on a sheet pan with a fragrant herb butter glaze that enhances its natural flavors. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs unsalted butter, fresh parsley, chopped, 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 your oven to 400°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly brush with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Pat dry 2 whole trout (about 1 lb each) with paper towels. Season the inside and outside with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
  4. Step 4: Place the trout on the prepared sheet pan and spoon half the herb butter mixture inside the cavity of each fish. Arrange thin slices from 1 lemon both inside and atop the trout.
  5. Step 5: Brush the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the trout, ensuring an even coating.
  6. Step 6: Roast in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb 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 Sheet Pan Roasted Minnesota River Trout with Herb 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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