Catch #24: Steelhead Trout from the Columbia River

Steelhead Trout:

While there are plenty of methods for preparing your fresh Steelhead Trout—the key to success is always to take your time. Slow cooking the trout helps to seal in flavors and keeps the fillets tender. Here are our top preparation methods for Steelhead Trout:

Baking - This classic method of preparation is perfect for anyone looking for an easy or beginner experience in cooking fresh fish. 

• Preheat your oven to 275°F.
• Brush your fillets with olive oil and add a slight drizzle to your baking sheet. Add your choice of seasoning to each fillet—we like just a simple blend of salt and pepper.
• Lay your fillets skin-side down on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes without flipping.

Grilling or Flat-Top Griddle - Flat-Top Griddle preparation is becoming more and more popular every day, so here is a great method for preparing your fresh Steelhead Trout with a griddle or a standard grill.

• Preheat your griddle or grill to medium-high heat. For medium-high on the grill, you should be able to hold your hand 6 inches above the grill for 5 seconds.
• Prep your fillets by patting dry and rubbing with olive oil. Season your Steelhead Trout with your selected seasonings.
• Drizzle your griddle or brush your grill with olive oil.
• Cook until your trout flakes easily with a fork. Note: Flip once the edges start to become opaque.

Pan Frying - While pan frying is on the faster side of preparations, it offers a different type of crispy texture on the skin and overall style of enjoying Steelhead Trout.

• Start by preparing your fillets—pat them dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet, preferably non-stick, heat a layer of olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Once your oil has reached a sizzle, carefully place your fillets in the pan skin-side down. Decrease the temperature to medium-low and let cook for roughly five minutes.
• Flip your fillets over and let cook for roughly two more minutes, or until done.

Recommended Internal Temp of Steelhead Trout: 125°F

Fresh fish is a wonderful addition to your meals, offering both flavor and nutrition. To preserve its quality and safety, follow these tips for storing fresh fish:

1. Keep it cold: When your Fresh & Wild catch arrives, promptly rinse the fillets in cold water, pat dry and refrigerate. For best results, place it on a bed of ice or use ice packs to maintain a cold temperature.
2. Wrap it up: Use plastic wrap and a freezer bag to tightly wrap the fish if looking to freeze. This helps in keeping the fish fresh.
3. Plan your meal: Fresh fish is most enjoyable within 1 to 3 days after delivery. If you don't plan to use it within this timeframe and are considering freezing, the fillet(s) will keep in the freezer for approximately 30 days. Upon thawing, your fillet(s) should be enjoyed within 1-2 days.

How is the freshness of the fish guaranteed during delivery? 

Your Fresh & Wild fillet will ship fresh, never frozen. It should arrive cool to the touch on gel ice packs. Our fresh catches ship with expedited shipping and are packaged in insulated bags that keep them cool.

Can I freeze my fresh fish?

Your fresh fillets can be frozen & will keep in the freezer for approximately 30 days; once thawed it should be cooked and used within 1-2 days.  We recommend after rinsing the fillets and patting dry, to wrap in a plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag before freezing.

Do the Fresh & Wild fillets contain bones? 

Your Fresh & Wild fish has been hand-filleted and may come with a few pin bones as these are hard to remove in fresh fish.

Where do you source your fresh fish? 

We work with different fishing companies and have many catch locations for our Fresh & Wild catches. Your order will come with an insert that will give you details of where the product came from. Some of our most favorite catch locations are Columbia River, Salish Sea, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and of course Copper River.