• Grilling
  • BBQ
  • Smoking
  • Miscellaneous
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

BBQing with the Nolands

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

Grilling

Whole Grilled Trout

Sharing is caring!

215 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe

If you have never had Whole Grilled Trout, you need to check out this recipe! The fresh taste of the trout paired with the subtle flavors of lemon, butter, and fresh herbs. I’m not sure there is anything better if you are a fish lover! And this recipe is so simple you can have it on the table in under an hour!

I love cooking fish on the grill. The smoky heat of the grill really brings out the flavors of whatever seafood you are grilling! Have you tried Grilled Mahi Mahi? It is simply amazing. Or you can pretend you are at a high-end steak house when you make this Ruth’s Chris Copycat BBQ Shrimp recipe. 

Whole grilled rainbow trout on a black serving board with lemon slices and fresh dill.

If you are a fisherman or know one, you might be lucky enough to get a freshly caught rainbow trout. But if you are like me and don’t fish, you have to get your trout and other fish from the local fishmonger.

I can get fresh and frozen trout where I live; you may need to ask around, but it is usually available. It is definitely worth the time to locate one or two. Trout is one of the best fish to cook on the grill if you ask me.

HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board

Aluminum Foil

Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Block Set

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE whole GRILLED Trout?

Ingredients to make grilled whole rainbow trout on a white countertop.

Simple ingredients make the best-tasting meals, I say. And this recipe is all about highlighting the amazing taste of the rainbow trout.

INGREDIENTS

  • Whole rainbow trout, scaled, gilled, and cleaned
  • Lemon, divided
  • Fresh chives, chopped, divided
  • Fresh dill
  • Garlic, minced, divided
  • Butter, softened
  • Olive oil, to rub on the outside of the fish
  • Butter, melted
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt
  • Aluminum foil

You definitely want to use fresh herbs if at all possible. In a pinch, you can use dried herbs, but the flavor of the trout will not be quite the same.

HOW TO prepare Whole GRILLED Trout for grilling

Preheat your grill to medium hot, about 375 degrees F.

You can remove the head of the trout or leave it on; it is up to you. Start by rinsing the fish under cold water inside and out. Pat the whole fish dry using paper towels.

Then, rub the outside of the fish with olive oil. Next, in a small bowl, combine the 2 Tbsp of softened butter and 2 tsp of the minced garlic together.

Spread the butter-garlic mixture on the inside of the trout, covering both sides. Next, sprinkle 2 tsp of chopped chives on the inside of the trout. Then, lay the 3 sprigs of fresh dill inside the trout.

Slice 1/2 the lemon and place the slices inside the trout on top of the fresh dill sprigs. Next, lay out one 18-inch piece of foil on a flat surface and place the trout on top of the foil. Place the second piece of foil on top and crimp the edges of the foil all the way around. Make sure that it is sealed tightly.

Cooking your whole grilled trout

Place the foil packet on the preheated grill and cook with the lid down for about 10 minutes. Carefully turn the foil packet over and allow the other side to cook, again for about 10 minutes.

While the fish is cooking on the grill, you can prepare the lemon garlic butter sauce. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Then, stir in the remaining chopped chives, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and remaining minced garlic.

Check the temperature of the trout using an instant-read thermometer; you want the temperature to be 135 – 140 degrees F. I check the temperature with my Thermoworks Thermapen instant-read thermometer; it works great every time!!

This post contains affiliate links. As a Thermoworks Affiliate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

Red Thermoworks Thermopen instant read thermometer.

Serving your Whole grilled trout

Once the trout has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the grill and place it on a baking sheet or cutting board to rest for a few minutes. Remove the top piece of foil, then remove the skin on the top; it should peel right off.

Grilled trout stuffed with sliced lemons and fresh dill on a foil sheet.

Transfer the trout to a serving platter. I find that makes it easy to finish the trout and to serve it.

Drizzling lemon garlic butter sauce over the whole grilled trout.

Drizzle the prepared lemon and garlic butter sauce over the entire fish before serving.

Grilled rainbow trout on a black platter covered in a lemon garlic butter sauce.

Using one or two forks, gently remove the meat from the top of the fish. Once you remove the top side of the meat, carefully turn the fish over and repeat the process on the other side. You can also carefully remove the bones and expose the other side of the meat rather than turning it over if you prefer.

Whole grilled trout flaked on a black plate with potatoes.

Pro Tips

  • Make sure you scale and clean the trout, including removing the gills before grilling.
  • If possible, use fresh herbs for this recipe; they make such a difference in the taste of the fish.
  • Be careful not to overcook the trout; you want an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees F. If you cook it too long, it will dry out, and the texture of the fish will not be flaky and juicy.
  • Serve the trout warm soon after removing it from the grill. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the fish and serve it cold. Either way, it will be delicious!

Look at how juicy and flaky the trout is on the plate! Serve this with your favorite vegetables for a dinner that is fit for a king or queen!

Whole grilled trout on a black platter with lemon slices and fresh dill.

Pin it HERE!!

There is nothing like whole grilled trout drizzled with a lemony garlic butter sauce!

Pin it HERE!!

There is nothing like whole grilled trout drizzled with a lemony garlic butter sauce!
Whole grilled rainbow trout on a black platter.

Whole Grilled Trout

Ken Noland
This amazing, easy whole grilled trout recipe is wonderfully flavorful. Everyone is going to love the lemony buttery taste of this dish!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Grilling
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 434 kcal

Ingredients
 

Trout

  • 2 to 2.5 lbs. whole rainbow trout scaled, gilled and cleaned
  • 1 lemon divided
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh chives chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh dill
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 2 Tbsp butter softened
  • Olive oil to rub on the outside of the fish

Lemon butter sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 2 tsp fresh chives chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from the lemon above
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic minced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your grill to medium hot, about 375 degrees F.
  • Rinse the trout and pat dry the inside and outside with paper towels, then rub the outside of the fish with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the 2 Tbsps of softened butter and 2 tsp. of minced garlic.
  • Spread the mixture on the inside of the trout, covering both sides.
  • Next, sprinkle 1/2 tbsp of fresh chopped chives on the inside of the trout. Then, lay in the 3 sprigs of fresh dill.
  • Slice 1/2 the lemon and place the slices on top of the dill inside the trout.
  • Lay out 2 pieces of aluminum foil approx. 18 inches in length each. (Long enough to wrap the whole fish)
  • Place the fish on top of one of the pieces of foil, and then place the second piece of foil on top.
  • Crimp the edges of the foil together all the way around to create a tight seal.
  • Put the foil package on the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, then turn it over and allow the other side to cook for about the same amount of time.
  • While the fish is cooking on the grill, prepare the lemon garlic butter sauce. Melt the butter, then stir in the chopped chives, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and minced garlic.
  • Check the temperature of the trout using an instant-read thermometer; you want the internal temperature of the trout to be 135 – 140 degrees F.
  • When it is cooked, take it off the grill and place it on a baking sheet or cutting board.
  • Remove the top sheet of foil. The skin of the trout should peel right off. Using a small spatula or 2 forks, carefully separate the meat from the bones and place it on a plate or serving platter. Turn the fish over and repeat this process, removing the meat from the other side of the fish.
  • Pour the lemon garlic butter sauce over the trout and serve!
  • Enjoy!!

Equipment

John Boos Block RA02 Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board, 20 Inches x 15 Inches x 2.25 Inches
John Boos Block RA02 Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board, 20 Inches x 15 Inches x 2.25 Inches
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, 200 Square Feet
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, 200 Square Feet
McCook® Knife Sets with Built-in Sharpener,German Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Kitchen Knives Set in Acacia Block
McCook® Knife Sets with Built-in Sharpener,German Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Kitchen Knives Set in Acacia Block

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 47gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 179mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 1153mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 772IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


3 Comments

Previous Post: « Grilled T-Bone Steak
Next Post: Grilled Honey Mustard Pork Chops »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dryden Salter says

    July 4, 2024 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars
    I followed this recipe exactly except that i cooked it in a 375 degree oven. It took longer than 20 minutes, maybe more like 40. I checked on it about every 5 to 7 minutes with the thermometer. I would definitely make it again if my neighbor brings me another fish!

    Reply
    • Ken Noland says

      July 4, 2024 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks for the comment, and glad you enjoyed it. The grill definitely cooks differntly than the oven.

      Reply
  2. Cindy Powell says

    December 1, 2024 at 11:47 am

    trying today. looks good and on the grill keeps the fishy smell out of the house. thank you

    Reply
5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m Ken thanks for stopping by BBQing with the Nolands! I was born and raised in Western Canada. I grew up on the great wide open farmlands that produce some of the worlds’ best livestock and grains.
Read More…

Footer

You might also like

Grilled Salmon Bowl With Miso-Ginger Dressing

Grilled half peach on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Maple Bourbon Grilled Peaches

Smoked Sausage Burnt Ends covered in BBQ sauce in a black dish with toothpicks stuck in them.

Smoked Sausage Burnt Ends

BBQ wok vegetables on a wooden board with a wooden spoon in the wok

BBQ Wok Veggies

Smoked Beef Ribs

Copyright © 2025 · BBQing with the Nolands · Privacy Policy

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.