There are many ways to prepare trout into a delicious, nutritious meal, and one of the best (in my opinion) is to stuff it. I like it so much and enjoy customizing my trout with unique and varied stuffing ingredients that I started listing 10 ideas that I know are delicious. When you are ready to take that wild-caught (or store-bought, we don't judge) trout to the next level, you'll find something that piques your interest somewhere in this list. These ideas have been tested on lake trout but would probably work with any kind of trout or salmon. Note: Most of the following recipes are variations of one core recipe, which involves stuffing a cleaned trout with head and tail attached and baking in an oven on a baking sheet (to catch the juices) at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, so follow those basic guidelines unless otherwise noted.
1. Bacon and Ricotta Stuffed Trout
Flaky trout filled with rich ricotta and wrapped in bacon is about as good as it gets, plus it's as easy to prepare as it sounds. Simply clean the trout, split the middle, and stuff with a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Wrap the trout in bacon and wrap with aluminum foil. Bake on a baking sheet until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Spinach Stuffed Trout - Three Ways
Spinach is a champion trout accomplice for its versatility and really flexes its muscles in the following three variations:
2. Spinach and Feta
In a small bowl, combine spinach, feta, salt, pepper, the juice of one lemon, and nuts for crunch (I prefer walnuts). Put the filling mixture in the fish and bake in the oven until flaky.
3. Spinach and Mushrooms
First place the spinach and mushrooms in a stovetop frying pan with butter, salt, and pepper. Cook down for a few minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the spinach is wilty. Then stuff inside the trout. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until flaky.
4. Spinach and Cream Cheese
Combine spinach and cream cheese (reserve some for topping) and mix well. Get creative and try a flavored cream cheese—chive or vegetable flavored works particularly well with trout—and stuff inside the fish cavity. To make the topping, combine the remaining cream cheese with salt, pepper, and the juice of one lemon, and spoon over the filet before baking.
5. Inside-Out Cracker Crumb and Walnut Stuffed Trout
This recipe is full-on comfort food coziness. Crush crackers, combine with three tablespoons of walnuts and a dash each of salt, pepper, dill, and onion powder. Fill the filet with half of the mixture. Dip filled filet in egg batter, then dip in the remaining mixture. Bake on a baking sheet for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Roasted Red Pepper Stuffed Trout
For this recipe, jarred or canned roasted red pepper works well and saves time. Combine roasted red peppers with bread crumbs to thicken and give texture. Fill the fish filet and bake until done.
7. Barbecue Stuffed Trout
This recipe is different from the rest on the list. The trout is barbecued on the grill as opposed to baked in the oven. It might be a tad more work, but the results are mouthwatering. To prepare the filling, cook onions and peppers in a frying pan with butter or oil until tender. Drain, and combine with a half-cup of parmesan cheese. Stuff the filling inside the trout and wrap in aluminum foil. Transfer to a preheated grill. Cook for 20-30 minutes or until white and flaky.
8. Lemon and Dill Stuffed Trout
This lemon and dill stuffing is a little different from the other recipes on this list in that the filling is meant more to flavor the filet from the inside out rather than to actually be eaten. Think of it as a flavorful garnish, but rest assured that it absolutely can be eaten if the diner chooses to do so. To prepare, slice lemon and place the lemon slices inside the cavity. Line the cavity with fresh dill. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.
9. Apple and Onion Stuffed Trout
A sweet and salty twist to stuffed trout involves a fruit-and-vegetable filling. Dice the apple and onion. White onions work well, but most varieties would be fine. Cook the diced apple and onion on the stovetop with butter, salt, pepper, and a dash of sugar until tender. Transfer the filling to inside the trout. Bake on a baking sheet until done.
10. Ham and Mozzarella Stuffed Trout
Cube the ham, cook, and let rest. Combine with mozzarella. Lactose-intolerant friends, have no fear: This recipe works just as well with a dairy-free alternative to traditional mozzarella. Place the ham-mozzarella filling inside the trout and cook on a baking sheet until flaky and white, about 30-35 minutes.
There are really no right or wrong ways to stuff a trout. Which one is your favorite?
