Trout is the approachable cousin of salmon: smaller fish, finer flake, and a skin that crisps beautifully in a hot pan. Most restaurant trout is farmed rainbow trout — still excellent when fresh and not overcooked.
Use this page to cook whole fish confidently and to order trout without confusing it with salmon on the board.
Also called
Trout · Rainbow trout · Truite · Trucha · Forelle
Best cooking methods
Pan-fry whole · Grill skin-on · Bake with herbs · Smoke (cold or hot)
River trout vs sea trout
River / farmed rainbow trout is the everyday fish. Sea trout (migratory brown trout) can taste richer and closer to salmon. Ask which you are buying — labels should be clear.
Cooking tip
Cook trout hot and short. Whole fish is done when the flesh near the bone just turns opaque. Lemon, butter, almonds, or herbs beat heavy cream sauces.