Trout is an ideal fish because of its low mercury levels and high omega 3 fatty acid content. Trout fillets are an excellent alternative to salmon and can be cooked using various techniques. Smoked trout can become a pate and served alongside some slices of melba toast.
The taste of trout is usually associated with spring and summer, as this is when wild trout is in season. So, this fish pairs beautifully with seasonal ingredients like asparagus, zucchini, and Asian-flavored green beans.
What Goes Good With Trout?
Trout is exceptionally versatile and can be used in many dishes. Furthermore, trout is easier to debone than most other types of fish. Trout can be whole, poached, as fillet, and even raw as ceviche. I will review ten ingredients/side dishes that pair beautifully with trout:
1. Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus adds many vitamins and minerals to this dish and provides mild, nutty flavors that go well with the richness of the trout. When using butter for cooking the asparagus, some of the sauce can be added to compliment the meal. What’s great about this dish is that the oven-roasted asparagus and trout can be cooked in the same pan for a hassle-free recipe.
2. Green Beans
Asian-flavored green beans go well with trout, green beans, in general, are a perfect match with this fish. However, Asian greens beans add a real kick of flavor to the mildness of the trout. Green beans are deliciously crisp, and some soy sauce can deliver a salty twist.
Blanch the beans before preheating a saucepan with a bit of olive oil would be best. Toss the beans in the sauce and sprinkle some crushed pepper.
3. Roasted Root Vegetables
Baked rainbow trout with baked seasonal vegetables makes the perfect go-to meal. This dish requires popping the fish with the vegetables in the same baking dish in the oven and waiting – it couldn’t be simpler.
Root vegetables are particularly delicious, and the flavors blend well together as this dish bakes. It’s a simple yet delicious meal, not to mention good for your health.
4. Sweet Slaw
This is the perfect side dish for filleted fish; it’s a pairing that begs for a summer barbecue. The ingredients’ sweet and tangy flavors compliment the mild fishy trout. This slaw recipe only requires five ingredients and can be whipped up in under five minutes.
5. Brown Rice
Brown rice is very underrated. However, it delivers tasty, earthy nutty flavors that match beautifully with the delicious trout. The brown rice adds a much-needed fiber content for a balanced meal. Brown rice is simple to make and adds the right balance.
I also like to use wild rice instead of brown rice; this is very healthy rice as it is low calorie but high in manganese. Wild rice is the healthiest rice as it has the most increased antioxidant activity of all the rice varieties. Antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage.
6. Caprese Salad
This side pairs well with pretty much anything as the fresh basil, tomato, and mozzarella come together perfectly; the ingredients can offset the heaviness of the fish if fried in batter.
7. Au Gratin potatoes
Creamy au gratin potatoes are heaven-sent and the ideal side dish for some real comfort food. The flakiness of the trout pairs beautifully with the creaminess and robust flavor of the cheesy bake.
8. Potato Salad
Another potato dish, nevertheless, is a summertime favorite that pairs well with many other meals. A simple potato salad recipe uses boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, dill, and chopped celery. Add all the ingredients together in a large bowl and mix them. It tastes perfect when served chilled.
9. Caesar Salad
Caeser salad is one of the most popular salads and pairs well with just about any meal, including trout. This salad can be made in minutes, especially if using prepared ingredients. It can be made from scratch pretty quickly; however, the homemade dressing isn’t as straightforward as it appears. Thankfully, there are countless recipes from which to choose.
10. Quinoa
Quinoa with mushroom and garlic is an excellent side dish for all kinds of meals. Garlic and mushrooms bring so much depth and flavor to the protein-rich quinoa.
What To Serve With Trout – Appetizers And Drinks
I may have chosen the perfect side dish to go with my trout, but I should also consider an appetizer, a beverage and possibly a dessert.
Appetizers
The fresh fish is undoubtedly the star of the show and will impress the guests. However, it’s essential to keep mouths full and the taste buds trained for what’s to come – the trout.
I would consider mango salsa with some tortilla chips to keep guests satisfied but not overly full.
Putting out some fresh oysters or seasoned crab is always a good idea for a seafood theme.
Wine
Trout is light and clean, so the wine must follow suit. Fish calls for a subtle white to bring out the delicious flavors. However, if I have a red wine-loving guest and white won’t do, then a light red will have to do.
The problem with red wine is that too many tannins overwhelm and tend to not pair well with fish. Three excellent whites include Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, and Champagne. A dry Riesling and a William Hill Chardonnay are excellent considerations.
Beer
Beer is often forgotten when it comes to fish, but a well-crafted beer can pair beautifully with trout. Sour beer tasted particularly well with trout. I would recommend SeaQuench Ale from Dogfish Head. A Belgian Tripel or any golden beer goes well with trout.
Dessert
Since trout has a mild flavor, I would recommend pairing it with sweet flavors like mango or citrus fruits to break the richness and heaviness of the fish. I would serve a fruit salad for dessert or add some tangy flavors to the main course.
Meringue pie and key lime pie complement any fish dish as neither is heavy but light and pleasant. A fruit tart or light, airy fruit mousse are also excellent considerations.
Is Trout Better Than Salmon?
Trout and salmon are closely related. However, they have fundamental differences. I will discuss how they differ as a species, their taste differences, and how fishing for them is different:
Trout Vs. Salmon
These two fish species belong to the same family. However, trout are mainly found in lakes and rivers worldwide and feature brown and orange spots on their scales. On the other hand, salmon are native to the northern hemisphere but have been introduced to different environments.
Salmon is generally orange or pinkish-red as they feed on plankton, shrimp, and other small crustaceans while growing in freshwater before moving out to the ocean as adults. Both species are healthy, although salmon is seen as a more luxury fish.
Salmon is expensive, and wild-caught is a delicacy as they are usually caught in commercial fishing boats using professional equipment. Salmon is considered a higher quality fish on restaurant menus due to its higher price point.
Taste
Generally, salmon is more robust in flavor than trout. Salmon is rich and has a fatty texture making it famous for sushi. However, the taste of salmon depends on the species:
- King Chinook salmon is the priciest salmon you can buy; it has a rich texture and is quite marbled.
- Sockeye salmon has very red flesh and is more fishy-flavored and lean. Sockeye is typically smoked.
- Atlantic salmon is mild in flavor but has a favorable texture that keeps salmon so popular at a more budget-friendly price point.
Trout can be described as mild, but because there are many different trout species, there is some variety. The more popular trout includes:
- Rainbow trout is famous for its flaky meat. It has a mild nut flavor. Rainbow trout are found mainly across the Western United States, Appalachia, the Great Lakes, and New England.
- Brown trout is not as mild as other trout species and has a distinctive fishy taste. Brown trout can be soaked in milk overnight and served with citrus flavors to subdue its strong fishy taste.
Nutritional Differences
Both salmon and trout are healthy and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids along with other vitamins and minerals. If fishing is your aim, salmon puts up a fight, whereas trout doesn’t require as much guidance and specialized equipment. Trout is more straightforward to catch than salmon. However, both require some research.
Is Trout More Expensive Than Salmon?
Salmon is generally more expensive than trout, although, to most people, it’s the perfect fish. It has a delicate texture and rich flavor. However, the price tag can be pretty eye-watering. When the purse strings are tight, steelhead trout is the ideal alternative to salmon as it has the same pink flesh and light-but-meaty texture as salmon but costs $4 less per pound than salmon.
Steelhead is often sold as a whole fillet, and these fish can grow almost as large as a small salmon. I recommend grilling, broiling, searing, or cedar planking the trout; no one will know it isn’t salmon.