Grilled Steelhead with Citrus Garlic Onion Glaze
The fish in the recipe looks like salmon and the truth is you could use salmon in this recipe, too. But, get your hands on some steelhead trout and you will want to go back for more and more and more. This grilled steelhead recipe is mouth watering delicious. It has amazing flavor with caramelized onions, garlic, and citrus sauce. To see a video version of the Grilled Steelhead with Citrus Garlic Onion Glaze recipe, scroll down. Watch the video and then read over this recipe blog post for detailed step by step instructions so you don’t miss a thing.
This Grilled Steelhead recipe will take 40 minutes to prepare and cook. You’ll be eating soon and hopefully you will take much longer than 40 minutes to enjoy it.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Recipe Yield:
This recipe as shown using a large fillet will easily provide an entrée for 4 people. If you’re cooking for fewer people then enjoy the leftovers. For ideas on how to use leftover steelhead see serving suggestion below.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 steelhead trout fillet (you can also use salmon for this recipe)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion or half of a large onion
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed (or use garlic pesto you stored in your freezer. Same method as Ginger Garlic Pesto but without the ginger)
- 2 Tablespoons Organic Citrus Infused Sauce in medium or hot depending upon your heat preference
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
Fun Facts about Steelhead Trout:
- often mistaken for salmon in stores due to similar bright orange-pink flesh
- best to purchase farmed than wild according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program.
- Steelhead and rainbow trout are the same species, but they have different lives. Steelhead are anadromous, meaning they spend part of their lives at sea before going to rivers to breed. Rainbow trout are freshwater fish and wouldn’t know the sea if it bit them in the tail.
- Steelhead is rich in lean protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids
Recipe Instructions – Grilled Steelhead with Citrus Garlic Onion Glaze
- Prepare the Steelhead (or salmon)
Pro Tip: Soak steelhead fillet in mix of 1/4 c vinegar and 2 cups water to cover. Let soak for 5 to 10 minutes. You will eliminate the smell in your kitchen and reduce any fishy taste and odor in the dish without depleting any real flavor. Optionally rinse with cold water. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Marinate the steelhead fillet
To marinate the fillet begin with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt sprinkled evenly over the steelhead fillet. Next, add ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to the fillet. Don’t worry too much about creating bulky pepper streaks on your fillet. When you spread the Citrus Sauce you can easily redistribute the pepper.
- For this recipe we use Organic Citrus Infused Sauce. The citrusy flavor pairs extremely well with seafood. Spoon 2 Tablespoons of Citrus Infused Sauce on to the steelhead fillet , and set it aside. If you like your foods more spicy then use the two-pepper Hot version of the Citrus Infused Sauce.
- Prepare the onions
First, cut off both ends of the onion leaving the root intact. Next, Cut the onion in half through the root. This will make it easier to peel. Then, peel off the skin and discard any dry layers of the onion. Now we’re ready to dice. Make cuts vertically through the onion but not all the way through the root. Space your cuts about ⅛ inches apart. Finally, rotate your onion 90 degrees and continue your cutting down to root. This will create perfectly diced onions that will look great once caramelized and on top your grilled steelhead.
- Caramelize the onions
Heat 2 Tablespoons coconut oil in a fry pan over medium high heat. Then add the diced onion. Cook onion until slightly golden. Stir in crushed garlic (or garlic pesto), and continue to cook until slightly golden brown. The garlic will cook extremely fast. Remove from heat after golden brown.
- Spread mixture on steelhead fillet
Pour the caramelized onions and garlic over the fillet. Using a rubber spatula spread evenly over the surface of the fillet.
- Grill steelhead fillet
Heat grill and griddle to medium high heat. We like to place a griddle over our barbecue grate to prevent food loss and uneven heating. Slide fish onto hot griddle, close barbecue let cook for 12 minutes or until desired flakiness. The timing will vary according to your grill, griddle, and size of your fillet.
Grilled Steelhead with Citrus Garlic Onion Glaze Serving Suggestions
Use Leftover Steelhead for Appetizers, Snacks, or Salad
Leftover steelhead can easily be used as a topping for a starter salad or can be used to create a meal worthy salad. This is similar to the recipe for Smoked Salmon Salad except that you substitute the steelhead for the salmon. No need to reheat the steelhead. It is wonderful on a salad served cold. For an appetizer, steelhead can be added to crackers or lettuce wraps. It also makes a worthy slider on its own or paired with other sliders, steak bites, Grilled Chicken with Peanut Sauce, Shrimp Satay Skewers.
Buy Organic Citrus Infused Sauce
This recipe uses Organic Citrus Infused Sauce. This sauce is available in medium, one-pepper version or a hot, two-pepper version for those who like a little more heat. You can also Make it Mild.
Our clean label Organic Citrus Infused Sauce is:
- USDA Organic Certified by WSDA
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan
- Free of additives and preservatives
- Shelf stable, refrigerate after opening
- Loved by Customers. Read the reviews.
You Deserve Good Food.
Pair Your Grilled Steelhead with Side Dishes
For a memorable meal pair your steelhead trout with steamed or fried rice. Add a vegetable slaw made of shredded fresh cabbage and carrot. Mix a little sauerkraut in to your slaw and you’ve created a wow-worthy side dish that tastes wonderful and feels healthy. This makes a delicious and satisfying guilt-free meal. In place of rice you could also opt for potatoes. Use mashed, smashed, grilled, french fried, au gratin, or one of our favorite potato recipes, Herbed Crispy Roast Potatoes.

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