This Steelhead Trout recipe is a healthy, fast and delicious fish dinner. With just 4 ingredients including Blackening Seasoning and just 10 minutes, this flavorful blackened fish can be made in the air fryer or oven. It's a fool-proof simple recipe you'll make again and again.
Love easy fish recipes? Also try my Blackened Salmon, Air Fryer Tilapia and Blackened Cod.
Steelhead Trout recipe
This Steelhead Trout recipe, blackened and made in the air fryer or oven baked, could not be simpler or tastier. Made with just 4 ingredients, in just 10 minutes, you can't go wrong with trying and making steelhead trout. Serve it with Garlic Roasted Green Beans or Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli for a delicious family dinner everyone will love.
Steelhead Trout looks a lot like salmon and cooks in a similar way, but it is a bit milder, slightly sweet in taste, making it a great option for people who don't love fish. It's also usually not as pricy as salmon, making it a great option when food prices are so high.
I've seen Steelhead Trout on the shelf at ALDI, Costco and Sam's Club. If you have too and been curious how to make it, I have a full Steelhead Trout recipe here including blackened, plus other seasoning blends if you don't like blackened. I used the air fryer for the trout in the photos, but I also included directions to make it in the oven. I honestly just love this fish and my family thought it was a super tasty alternative to salmon. You can make this delightful fish in so many ways and it is worth adding to your cart!
Steelhead Trout Recipe - Air Fryer or Oven Baked Share on X
Why You'll Love this Steelhead Trout recipe...
- This Steelhead Trout recipe is only 4 ingredients and can be on the table in 10 minutes.
- It uses a more economical fish... this is less than salmon!
- Steelhead Trout is still, buttery, flaky and super delicious.
- It's still a healthy fish to eat, high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
- This customizable recipe can be made with many different seasonings. I've included options below.
- You can easily prepare the fish in the air fryer or oven.
All About Steelhead Trout
What is Steelhead Trout?
Steelhead Trout is form of coastal rainbow trout that also migrates to the ocean. Steelhead Trout are larger and less colorful than rainbow trout. It is part of the salmon family and has a beautiful orange-pink color and as you can see below looks a lot like salmon. It can be wild caught or farm raised. My husband saw it in the fridge and thought we were having salmon for dinner.
Steelhead Trout Taste
Steelhead Trout taste is mild. It has a slightly sweet flavor that is less fishy than salmon. It still has a buttery texture. While it looks more like salmon, it tastes a bit more like trout. Since the taste isn't as strong as salmon, it's a great option for those who might not love fish.
Steelhead vs Salmon
Steelhead Trout, much like salmon, is full of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. It is usually a bit thinner than salmon, which means it often cooks a bit faster. In some ways it's a better healthy choice than salmon because it actually has half of the amount of fat as salmon! It is also lower in mercury than salmon because it is a small fish. Finally it is often less expensive than salmon. If you happen to see some in the store, it's worth giving it a try.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Steelhead Trout recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Steelhead Trout: Steelhead Trout is a mild fish that looks like salmon. I often find it at ALDI, Sam's Club or Costco, where it will be near the fresh salmon. Check the label because it does look a lot like salmon in a package. You can use fresh or frozen fillets, whatever is available to you. Just be sure to thaw out a frozen fillet in the fridge overnight before cooking.
- Olive Oil: Since Steelhead Trout has a mild flavor, I like to use olive oil on the fish. You can also use melted butter or an oil or your choice.
- Blackening Seasoning: My favorite seasoning for fish is blackening seasoning. It gives fish a lot of flavor, without much fuss. I like to use my Homemade Blackened Seasoning with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and oregano. If you don't want to mix your own seasoning, this Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blend is my favorite. Since Steelhead Trout is such a mild fish though, you can season it in many different ways to match the rest of your meal. I've included a list of other spice blends to try below.
- Lemon: I love serving this fish with fresh lemon wedges so whoever is eating it can add as much lemon juice as they like.
- Salt & Pepper: Often, Blackening Seasoning has salt and pepper in it, so you will want to add this carefully if it does.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Steelhead Trout recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
For the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Pat the steelhead trout fillets dry with a paper towel. Put the fish into the air fryer, but be careful to not crowd it. Drizzle the olive oil on top and sprinkle the fish with the seasoning. If you seasoning blend does not already have salt and pepper, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook for about 7 minutes or until the fish is flaky. Thinner fillets will cook faster and thicker ones will take closer to 10 minutes. Technically fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer. You don't need to flip the fish.
- , but I will watch for when it flakes. I pull mine out a bit early so it does not dry out.
- Serve warm with fresh lemon wedges.
For the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking dish or baking sheet with cooking spray. If you want to save clean up time, line your pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Pat the steelhead trout fillet dry with paper towels, Drizzle the oil on top and generally season with the seasoning blend. If you seasoning blend does not already have salt and pepper, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes with a fork.
- Serve immediately with the fresh lemon wedges.
Steelhead Trout Variations & Different Spice Blends
I love this Steelhead Trout recipe blackened, but here are some fun variations on different spice blends you can make it with. You can sprinkle any of these seasoning blends on top of the fish instead of the blackening seasoning.
Homemade Blends:
- Italian Spice Blend
- Herbs de Provence
- Cajun Seasoning
- Ranch Spice Mix
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
Store-bought Blends:
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Everglades Seasonings: Fish & Chicken (My go-to spice mix for fish!)
- Fish Monger
Fresh Spices:
- Fresh Dill
- Fresh Parsley
- Fresh or Dried Rosemary & Garlic Powder
- Fresh or Dried Thyme
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat the fish in the microwave for 1 minute or put it back in the air fryer for a minute to warm it up. I would not freeze the already cooked fish.
Does Steelhead trout cook the same as salmon?
Yes! You can cook salmon in the same ways as salmon including in the oven, on the stove, grill or air fryer. It is often a bit thinner than salmon, so it generally will take a minute or two less to cook than salmon.
Is Steelhead trout good to eat?
Steelhead trout makes a fabulous eating fish. It is tender, mild and has a sweet flavor. It cooks fast and makes a great healthy fish dinner.
Can Steelhead trout be substituted for salmon?
Yes! Steelhead trout can be substituted for salmon in a recipe. You can also swap out salmon to make this recipe if you can't find steelhead trout.
Steelhead Trout Recipe - A Healthy Fish Dinner!
This Steelhead Trout recipe makes such a healthy fish dinner. I love how tender, flaky and delicious the trout is and the flavor is different but just as good as salmon. This recipe is a great addition to your rotation of fish recipes or a great one to start with if you don't already cook fish because of how mild it is.
Serving Suggestions:
- Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Zucchini Foil Packets
- Oven Baked Parmesan Garlic Potato Wedges
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
- Roasted Garlic Green Beans
- Healthy Broccoli Slaw
- Cheesy Grilled Potatoes in Foil
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo
- Oven Roasted Mushrooms and Broccoli
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Parmesan Ranch Cauliflower
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Broccoli
- Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Healthy Cole Slaw
- Lemon Garlic Kale
Steelhead Trout recipe - Air Fryer or Oven Baked
Ingredients
- 2 steelhead trout fillets, about 6 ounces
- ½ tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- ½ tablespoon blackening seasoning or fish seasoning
- 1 lemon
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Pat the steelhead fillets dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the olive oil on top and sprinkle the fish with the seasoning. If you seasoning blend does not already have salt and pepper, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook for about 7 minutes or until the fish is flaky. Thinner fillets will cook faster and thicker ones will take closer to 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with fresh lemon wedges.
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pat the steelhead trout fillets dry with paper towels, Drizzle the oil on top and generally season with the seasoning blend. If you seasoning blend does not already have salt and pepper, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes with a fork.
- Serve immediately with the fresh lemon wedges.
Nutrition
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