Recipes

Pan-Roasted Trout

By: Hannah Lee Leidy
Two Trout in a cast iron pan over the fire
Photo by Kieran Wagner

Chef William Dissen of HaymakerThe Market Place, and Billy D’s Fried Chicken, shares his steps for pan-roasted trout. He suggests using a well-seasoned cast iron pan, a squeeze of lemon, fresh herbs, and sustainably sourced trout. Whether over an open fire or on a home stovetop, this pan-roasted trout will be bring smoky, well-balanced flavor.

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yields

Serves 4

    Ingredients

  • 2 (1-pound) whole trout (Dissen recommends Sunburst Trout Farms), gutted
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 lemons, sliced

  • 1 bunch thyme, divided
  • 4 parsley sprigs, divided
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 slices Benton’s country ham
  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 6 garlic cloves
steps
  1. Preheat a 16-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat (or the coals of a camp fire). Season inside cavity and exterior of trout with salt and pepper. Place lemon rings, thyme sprigs (reserving a few), and parsley sprigs inside trout cavities.
  2. Heat oil in pan and cook country ham until browned and fat is rendered. Remove ham
and set aside for another use, reserving fat in pan. Place trout in pan and cook until bottom side of fish begins to turn golden. Using a large spoon or spatula, carefully flip fish to brown opposite side. As it begins to brown, drain off oil and add butter, garlic, and remaining thyme sprigs to pan. As butter begins to foam, tilt pan slightly and use a large spoon to baste butter over trout. (This will help cook the trout fully.) Check if trout is cooked through by inserting a knife into it—if the knife comes out clean and is warm, the trout is finished. Carefully remove from pan and serve immediately.
  • Recipe by William Dissen of the Market Place in Asheville, North Carolina
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