The Easiest Steelhead Meals You Will Ever Make…

If you have found some luck with steelhead lately (check out the latest Upper Salmon report here), then this is for you!

Here are five low-effort, big-flavor ways to cook your steelies. For each, bake at 400°F for about 10–14 minutes, depending on thickness, until it flakes easily and reaches 145°F in the thickest part.

1. Maple-mustard
   • Stir together 1 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp Dijon + a pinch of salt.
   • Spread over the fish; bake. Finish with black pepper.
2. Taco-night steelhead
   • Rub with oil, chili powder, cumin, and salt.
   • Bake, then flake into tortillas with slaw and a squeeze of lime. Fancy enough to fool a taco.
3. Pesto-parm
   • Spread pesto over the top; sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
   • Bake. Great with rice, pasta, or whatever vegetable is loitering in the fridge.
4. Soy-ginger foil packet
   • Put the fish on foil with 1 tbsp soy sauce, a little grated ginger, and a drizzle of honey.
   • Fold into a packet and bake. Open carefully—the steam is enthusiastic.
5. Hot-honey crunch
   • Brush with hot honey (or honey plus a dash of hot sauce).
   • Press crushed crackers or panko on top and bake until golden.

If your fillet has skin, bake it skin-side down; the skin helps protect the fish and can be peeled off easily after cooking.

^{Photo by Angela Maxwell}