U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Rainbow trout is a popular choice for its mild, nutty flavor.

Shopping tips:

• Coloring is largely dependent on diet and environment, but typically species available in markets are blue-green or yellow-green, flecked with black spots across their back and fins.
• Trout are also available as boneless fillets, which are easy to prepare.

Cooking tips:

• Rainbow trout are great to grill, fry, or broil. Rainbow trout is a great fish for people new to seafood, as it is quick and easy to prepare.
• Clean the fish by rinsing under cold water and moving the entrails. Remove the head and tail, patting dry with a paper towel.
• Try pan frying the fish in butter with the skin on, garnishing with lemon or parsley. If cooking with the skin on, make sure to remove the scales beforehand. Fry the piece for roughly 5 minutes on each side. Alternatively, try broiling the trout for 5 minutes on either side, skin attached, brushed with browned butter.
• Check to see if the meat is cooked by sticking a fork in the flank-look for white, moist, flaky texture. Translucent coloring indicates the piece is undercooked.

More about Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout is found throughout lakes and rivers across North America west of the Rocky Mountains. However, these fish have been introduced to waters around the world and are now considered a global species.

Read more

Recipes

Avocado-Dill Soup with Smoked Trout*
Quick, Easy and Flavorful Trout

*Reprinted with permission from For Cod & Country © 2011 by Barton Seaver, Sterling Epicure, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.