Speckled Trout Fish Piccata Recipe

This Speckled Trout Fish Piccata recipe combines speckled trout fillets with a vibrant, lemony piccata sauce that’s ready in only 15 minutes.

If you’re lucky enough to reel in speckled trout or snag a few speckled sea trout from your local seafood market, you’re in for a treat. These fish are perfect for a quick and flavorful Italian dinner like this one.

Chasing The Speckled Trout In Matagorda, Texas

Kayak fishing for speckled trout and redfish near Matagorda, Texas, last October was unforgettable. I had a great time paddling through grass flats with my friend Cary Beason (The Salty Yak), Cary was a great mentor who helped me have a really productive couple of days fishing the beautiful waters of the Gulf coast.

I came home with some flounder, redfish, and plenty of speckled trout for new recipes like this one. You can watch me catch my first redfish on this YouTube video.

If you haven't had an opportunity to chase redfish or speckled trout, I highly recommend it. For saltwater anglers, the Gulf Coast gem of Matagorda is a must-visit.

What Does Speckled Trout Taste Like?

Speckled trout, also known as speckled sea trout, spotted trout, or ocean trout, has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a buttery texture. Its delicate taste makes it a versatile choice for a variety of recipes. When paired with flavors like lemon, capers, and butter, it transforms into a restaurant-worthy meal that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.

Why You'll Love This Ocean Trout Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, this fish piccata is ready in just 15 minutes.
• Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
• Great for Date Night: My wife is a huge fan of fish and seafood, so this fish piccata recipe is perfect when I want to impress her but don't have much time.

What You'll Need To Make Fish Piccata

The speckled trout with piccata sauce uses basic ingredients that you probably already have at home to create a tangy, buttery sauce you won’t be able to resist.

• Trout fillets - I used speckled sea trout for this version, but I've also made this fish piccata recipe with walleye, perch, catfish, rainbow trout, and salmon.
• Seasoning - a combination of kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano gives this ocean trout maximum flavor.
• Flour for dredging - all-purpose flour or even a gluten-free flour works.
• Olive oil - You can also use avocado oil if you prefer.
• Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter. I've used both and it didn't make a huge difference.
• Lemon juice - You’ll want to use fresh lemon juice if possible.
• Chicken Broth - I've also used fish stock when making this piccata sauce during Lent.
• Capers - Capers add a tangy and salty flavor to the piccata sauce.
• Fresh parsley - Chopped parsley is a great bright garnish.

How To Make Speckled Trout Fish Piccata

Step 1: Prepare the Trout

Pat the trout fillets dry with paper towels. This step ensures the seasoning adheres well. Sprinkle the fillets with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano. Add the flour to a large plate or pie pan. Coat each fillet with the seasoning mixture, then dredge in flour. Sprinkle a bit more seasoning on top for extra flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Fillets

Heat the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the trout fillets in the skillet. Cook for 2 ½ minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F using an instant-read meat thermometer. Remove the fillets from the skillet and transfer them to a platter or plates.

Step 3: Make the Piccata Sauce

Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Whisk the ingredients together and let them cook for about a minute until the butter is melted and the flavors meld.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon the sauce over the trout fillets. Garnish with fresh parsley and some lemon slices for a burst of color and flavor. Serve immediately with your favorite side like broccoli, asparagus, or some garlic bread to soak up that butter sauce.

Pro Tips For Success

The speckled trout is firm, flaky and full of flavor. Here are a few suggestions for making the most out of this speckled trout fish piccata recipe.

• Use a large pan to cook the fish. I like to use this large 14-inch nonstick pan to sear these speckled sea trout. That way, the fish fillets all fit in the pan and cook evenly and quickly.
• Don’t overcook the fish. When frying the speckled trout (or other fish fillet of your choice) be sure you don't overcook it. The goal is firm and flaky fish, but you don’t want it to dry up from overcooking.
• Lower the heat for the piccata sauce. When you start making the sauce, lower the heat on your burner from medium high to medium, so the butter doesn't burn.
• Only use ½ Lemon. I've seen other piccata recipes that call for juice from 1 lemon or even 2 lemons. That's too much! All that is going to do is make everyone at the table pucker up. Don't you want to taste the fish? Use the other ½ of the lemon to slice into wedges and use as a garnish.
• Prepare your side dishes first. This fish piccata recipe will come together in a matter of minutes, so prepare your vegetable side dish or salad before the fish hits the pan.

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers

While it is always best to eat fish right after it’s cooked, I have packed leftover fish piccata for my wife to enjoy for lunch at work the next day.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Tested And Approved Fish Piccata Recipe

This fish piccata recipe, just like all of the recipes you'll find on this food blog, was tested and approved by my wife and our 9-year-old daughter. That way, you can be assured they are family friendly.

If you are looking for another great recipe for a fish you can catch along the Gulf coast, be sure and check out our Easy Pan Seared Redfish or Butter Poached Puffer Fish. Or find all of our fish recipes here.

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