Grilled Steelhead Trout
On December 02, 2024
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Sweet, flaky trout seasoned with lime and brown sugar, this grilled steelhead trout cooks up beautifully on your grill in under 30 minutes.
Grilled Steelhead Trout with Brown Sugar Lime Seasoning
Get ready, because this grilled steelhead trout is about to become your favorite new seafood recipe. With a sweet and smoky seasoning blend featuring brown sugar and zesty lime, this tender fish is bursting with flavor with just 8 ingredients. The two-zone grilling method ensures a beautifully flaky interior and a gorgeous mahogany exterior in under 30 minutes. The versatility of this dish makes it work just as well for casual weeknight dinners as it does for special occasions. Whether you serve it as the star centerpiece or flake it over salads and pasta, this grilled steelhead trout is sure to become a regular in your rotation.
Steelhead Trout vs Rainbow Trout
Steelhead trout and rainbow trout are actually the same fish, but with different lifestyles which affect the way they taste. Rainbow trout spend their lives entirely in fresh water, so that briny, “fishy” flavor isn’t as strong. Steelhead on the other hand, migrate between fresh water and the ocean like salmon, so it shares a similar color and flavor profile. Steelhead falls somewhere between rainbow trout and salmon in terms of flavor, which makes it a great option for guests who find salmon too briny.
Seasoning for Trout
The key to grilling up delicious steelhead trout is picking the right seasoning. I love using Sweet & Smoky Salmon Seasoning because it highlights the natural sweetness of the fish while adding a little kick of heat. The best part is, you can make it at home with ingredients you’ve probably got on hand already. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- zest of 1 lime
How Long to Grill Steelhead Trout
Using my two-zone heat method, this steelhead trout grills up beautifully in under 30 minutes. Check out my post on How to Cook with Two-Zone Grilling if you need some guidance on setting your grill up. I made my trout on my Weber charcoal grill, but any grill you have will work just fine (I’ve also got an awesome smoked steelhead trout recipe, if you prefer the smoker). Once your grill reaches an overall temperature around 375 degrees F, you’re ready to start cooking.
You want to place your trout fillet skin-side down on the indirect heat side of your grill directly on the grates and close the lid. You don’t need to flip or rotate your fish. Just give it 20-25 minutes to soak in the smoke and take on some of that rich charcoal flavor. Once your trout reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F using a reliable food thermometer and has a beautiful mahogany exterior, it’s ready to serve.
How to Make Steelhead Trout on the Grill
- Preheat the grill. Your trout doesn’t take much time to prepare, so you want to get your grill heating up before you get started. You want your grill up for two-zone grilling with an overall temperature of around 375 degrees F.
- Season the steelhead. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap large enough to wrap around your trout fillet, then place your trout skin-side down. Next, combine all the ingredients for your seasoning in a small bowl, and mix with a fork to break up any clumps. Once you have a nice, even blend, sprinkle over the top of your trout. Cover everything with the remaining wrap, then press the seasoning into your trout. You want to avoid rubbing because trout is tender and can tarnish easily.
- Grill the trout. Remember to remove the wrap from your trout and discard it before you start grilling. Place your trout skin-side down directly on your grill grates on the indirect heat side of your grill. You want to close the lid so you can lock in all that smoky, charcoal goodness. Give your fish 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Serve and enjoy. Carefully transfer the steelhead fillet to your serving dish and garnish with lime wedges. Serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
One of the best parts about this grilled steelhead trout is how versatile it is. You can make it the star of your spread, or use it to take other dishes over the top. I love serving it as a main dish alongside some of my grilled asparagus and grilled red potatoes. You can portion it out if you like, or platter the entire fish and let guests get their own. I also love flaking this trout on pastas and salads for a little extra flavor and flair. I’d love to hear about the creative ways you use your trout in the comments section below.
More Grilled Seafood Recipes
Once you experience how simple it is to grill this steelhead trout, you’ll be grilling all your favorite fish. Luckily for you, both the Hey Grill Hey App and your Recipe Library are both loaded with dozens of fish and seafood recipes you can make right on your grill. Be sure to check them out so you can browse all the options available to you. For now, here are some of my most popular grilled fish recipes for you to try next:
Easy Grilled Steelhead Trout Recipe
Follow the recipe card below, and your family will be hooked on this grilled steelhead trout. Feel free to give this recipe a 5-star review, and tell me all about what you served with your trout in the comments. To be the first to know when awesome new recipes like this become available, make sure you’re following @heygrillhey on Instagram, Facebook, and my YouTube channel. I’m always sharing tips, tricks, and new methods to help your journey becoming a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Grilled Steelhead Trout with Brown Sugar Lime Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 14-16 ounce steelhead trout fillet skin on
- 2 limes for garnish
Salmon Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 lime for zest
Instructions
- Preheat the grill. When ready to cook, set your grill up for two-zone grilling with an overall temperature of about 375 degrees F. While your grill preheats, prepare your trout.
- Season the steelhead. Place the steelhead skin side down on a large piece of plastic wrap. Combine all of the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl and press onto the top of the trout.1 14-16 ounce steelhead trout fillet, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 lime
- Grill the trout. Remove the saran wrap and discard, place the trout skin side down on the indirect side of your grill grates and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the trout reaches 145 degrees F.
- Serve. Carefully transfer the steelhead to your serving dish and garnish with lime wedges.2 limes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
