Best Blackened Sea Trout (Easy Recipe)

Introducing the Best Blackened Sea Trout Recipe you will ever make. This recipe is made with simple ingredients and is guaranteed to be a hit amongst all. Whether you are new to cooking fish or have been cooking fish your entire life, this recipe is one of the best ways to cook Sea Trout. 

I strive to fish at least once a week. Once I catch my fish, I like to try a multitude of recipes because eating the same recipe can get boring. I made this simple recipe because blackened fish is one of my favorites. The recipe is simple, easy, and delicious. Cooking fish can be intimidating at first, however this Blackening Sea Trout recipe is a great recipe and the best way to into cooking your fresh catch. 

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Blackened Sea Trout Ingredients: 

Blackening is a great way to cook sea trout. All you need to make it is your fresh catch and fresh ingredients that you can pick up at your local grocery store. 

Seasoning:

• Garlic Powder– Adds a robust and savory garlic flavor to enhance the overall taste of the sea trout. Garlic powder also complements the other spices in the seasoning blend.
• Everglades Fish and Chicken– This specific seasoning blend adds a unique combination of herbs and spices designed for fish and chicken. It contributes to the overall flavor profile, providing a well-balanced and seasoned taste.
• Old Bay– Old Bay seasoning brings a blend of herbs and spices, including celery salt, paprika, and red pepper. It adds depth, complexity, and a hint of heat to the blackened seasoning, enhancing the overall flavor of the sea trout.
• Smoked Paprika-  Smoked paprika imparts a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the sea trout. It adds depth and complexity to the seasoning, contributing to the blackened and charred taste.
• Black Pepper- Black pepper provides a bold and pungent flavor, adding a kick to the blackened seasoning. It also complements the other spices, creating a well-rounded and flavorful coating for the sea trout.
• Fresh Herb-  Fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or chives, are great options. They contribute a burst of freshness and brightness to balance the bold flavors of the blackened seasoning. They add a layer of complexity and freshness to the dish. Fresh parsley and thyme are the perfect garnish.
• Cayenne Pepper (optional)- Cayenne pepper, if added, brings heat to the blackened seasoning. This ingredient is optional and allows you to customize the spice level according to your taste preferences. It adds an extra layer of heat and intensity to the dish. In my opinion this is a delicious way to spice things up. 

For The Fish:

• Sea Trout Fillets– In this recipe, I used Yellow Mouth Trout, however you can use Speckled Sea Trout as well. It is important to have fresh fish. From what I have noticed Sea Trout does not freeze well because it is a delicate fish. So it is ideal to use fresh fish. 
• Unsalted Butter – This is what you will use to cook the sea trout. I recommend using high-quality butter for best results.

How To Make Blackened Sea Trout:

This blackened sea trout recipe is one of my favorite fish recipes to make. It is an easy recipe to make and it’s delicious which makes it the perfect weeknight meal.

1. Prepare Sea Trout:
   • Ensure the Sea Trout fillets are fresh. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. It is important that the fillets are as dry as possible. 
2. Make The Blackening Seasoning:
   • In a small bowl, combine the blackening seasoning ingredients and mix until combined evenly. 
3. Apply Blackened Seasoning:
   • Generously coat both sides of each Sea Trout fillet with a single layer of the prepared blackened seasoning mixture. Press the seasoning onto the fillets to ensure it adheres well. 
4. Heat Butter:
   • In a cast-iron skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Use high-quality butter for the best results. On a high heat the fish cooks very fast so be mindful of that.  
5. Cook Sea Trout:
   • Once the butter is hot and slightly bubbling, carefully place the seasoned Sea Trout fillets into the skillet. Cooking time is approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the fillets develop a blackened crust. When cooking I like to cook until the sides of the fish begin to turn white; then I will flip. This will let you know that the other side is cook fully. I would only recommend flipping once. 
6. Adjust Heat (Optional):
   • If you included cayenne pepper and desire additional heat, adjust the spice level accordingly.
7. Garnish and Serve:
   • Sprinkle additional fresh herbs (parsley and thyme) or lemon slices as a garnish to the golden brown fish fillets. Transfer the Blackened Sea Trout fillets to serving plates.
8. Serve Immediately:
   • Serve the Sea Trout fillets immediately while they are hot and freshly cooked. The blackened crust should be flavorful, and the fish tender and moist.
9. Enjoy:
   • Savor the delicious Blackened Sea Trout with its bold seasoning, smoky aroma, and perfect char.

Hint: ​I like to use a fork to tell when my fish is done. When your fork goes in with easy and zero resistance it is done. 

Substitutions:

There are a handful of variations that can be made to this sea trout recipe. Here are some of the common substitutions that can be made if needed.

• Fish– there are plenty of other fish that can be enjoyed blackened if you cannot get Sea Trout. Any type of fish can be used. In Alaska we used Salmon fillets. But this is my favorite way to enjoy sea trout. 
• Everglades Fish and Chicken– This seasoning might not be available at every grocery store. If you cannot get your hands on it, you can use your favorite Cajun seasoning. 
• Butter– If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, you can use vegan butter or a little olive oil.  I wouldn’t recommend this, but if dietary restrictions apply, you can do it. 
• Citrus- You could sprinkle some lime juice or orange juice instead of lemon juice. 

Sea Trout Recipe Variations:

You can use other types of Sea Trout. In this recipe, I am using Yellowmouth Trout, which also works great with Speckled Sea Trout. 

• Herb Infused Butter- Infuse the unsalted butter with additional herbs such as rosemary, basil, or tarragon. Melt the herbed butter in the skillet for an extra layer of aromatic richness.
• Spicy- ​Along with Cayenne Pepper, you could also use red pepper flakes for an added kick. 

What You Need To Make This Blackened Sea Trout Recipe:

• Cast Iron Skillet- Used for cooking the sea trout. The cast iron skillet provides even heat distribution and helps achieve a desirable blackened crust on the fish. You could use a frying pan, but not generally recommended. 
• Cutting Board-  Used for preparing and cutting the sea trout into portions. It’s also useful for chopping fresh herbs and other ingredients for the blackened seasoning.
• Spatula- Essential for flipping and turning the sea trout while it cooks in the cast iron skillet. A spatula helps ensure even cooking and prevents sticking.
• Mixing Bowl for Spices and Ingredients- Used to combine and mix the various spices and herbs that make up the blackened seasoning. The mixing bowl allows for thorough blending before applying the seasoning to the sea trout.
• Stove- The stove is the cooking platform where you’ll use the cast iron skillet to cook the sea trout. It provides the necessary heat for the blackened cooking technique.

How To Store This Sea Trout Recipe:

If you have leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container. However, this Blackened Sea Trout Recipe does not keep well in the fridge. Therefore, I would not recommend storing it for an extended period of time. 

Where To Get Sea Trout:

It is sometimes hard to get Sea Trout at your local fish shop and grocery store. Yellow Mouth Trout are an easy fish species to catch. They can be caught on live bait and artificial. Often in the winter months, in creek mouths and drop-offs. If you are curious about using live shrimp, make sure you check out my post on “How to Rig Live Shrimp“.