Smoky Cedar Plank Whole Trout

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 06/21/21
Cedar plank trout
PhotoAlto/Isabelle Rozenbaum/Getty Images
Prep: 1 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 16 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Grilling whole trout is one of the best ways to enjoy this fish, and trout that is grilled on a cedar plank is even better. A traditional way to cook a whole fish, originating with the fisherman of the Pacific Northwest, grilling on a piece of wood is a smart cooking a method, as you don't have to worry about flipping the fish or it falling apart on the grill.

This recipe will require a thin, clean, untreated cedar plank to set the fish on while they grill; you can find this at your supermarket or gourmet grocer. The smoke of the wood really enhances the flavor of the fish without overwhelming the delicate taste of the trout.

You will need one untreated cedar plank that's large enough to accommodate the fish.

Ingredients

  • 2 (12-ounce) whole trout, gutted and cleaned

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 lemon, sliced thinly

  • 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Submerge the cedar plank in water for 1 hour.

  3. Preheat grill.

  4. Lightly coat inside and outside of each trout with olive oil. Season inside with salt and pepper and stuff with lemon slices and dill.

  5. Place soaked cedar plank on grill over direct medium heat.

  6. When cedar plank starts to smoke, place fish on the plank.

  7. Grill for about 15 minutes or until the fish is done (reaching an internal temperature of 145 F). The flesh should be opaque and flake easily.

  8. Once cooked, remove from grill and serve.

Tips

  • Before tackling this recipe, be sure to buy a cleaned and gutted whole fish, so that you don't have to do the messy work of removing the organs.
  • To debone a whole fish after it is cooked, make a slit under the tail and carefully lift it up, pulling towards the head, while using a spatula to hold down the body of the fish. The skeleton should stay intact and easily lift out of the trout. Once you reach the head, detach the bone structure—head intact—from the body.

Variations

  • Serve this trout as an appetizer by creating "smoked" trout crostinis topped with goat's cheese, pieces of trout, and a sprig of dill.
  • Turn this fish into a spread by breaking up the de-boned meat and mixing it with cream cheese, shallots, chives, ground pepper, and lemon juice until it reaches the desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
487 Calories
25g Fat
22g Carbs
48g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 487
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 126mg 42%
Sodium 433mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 48g
Vitamin C 109mg 544%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 1125mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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