Leftover Trout Recipes Full of Fresh, Bright Flavor

Leftover trout doesn’t have to be boring—I actually look forward to the next-day meals just as much as the first!

I’ve mixed it into frittatas, folded it into creamy pasta, and even made quick fish cakes using mashed potatoes or breadcrumbs.

Cold trout works well tossed into a salad with a light vinaigrette, especially when the fish has been cooked with lemon or herbs.

To avoid drying it out, I reheat trout gently in foil with a little olive oil and a splash of broth or water.

The texture stays tender, and it easily breaks into flakes you can layer onto toast or stir into rice!

1. Trout Dip

One of the easiest and most delicious leftover trout ideas is turning the fish into a dip.

It makes for a flavor-loaded appetizer that pairs nicely with garlic bread, chips, crackers, or veggie sticks.

After you dice the trout, simply mix in greek yogurt, mayo, chives, dill, capers, and lemon juice.

2. Trout Cakes

You don’t have to wonder what to do with leftover trout when this recipe is here to help!

Trout cakes are great for breakfast, brunch, or even a midday snack!

Along with eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, coriander, chives, and basil, I like adding mashed potatoes to my trout cakes to give them better shape and extra flavor.

3. Trout Chowder

To warm up on a cold day, how about turning your leftover trout into hearty chowder?

Thanks to its firm meat, trout won’t fall apart when you cook it in a broth.

It even has hints of an eggy flavor that pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the soup.

Ladle it into a bread bowl and you’ve got yourself a show-stopper!

4. Cold Trout Pizza Tart

If you want an easy recipe that the whole family will love, try this pizza tart recipe.

Once you bake the pastry, top it with sour cream, pesto sauce, and smoked trout bits.

For an extra kick of flavor, drizzle olive oil and sprinkle pine nuts.

5. Trout Tacos

Tacos are the ultimate leftover dish.

Whether for lunch or dinner, trout tacos are super quick and versatile to whip up!

You can pair the leftover trout with just about any topping you like.

Cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, beans, avocado, onion, mango salsa, rice — you name it.

6. Trout Salad

If you can’t figure out what to make with leftover trout, a salad will never disappoint and it’s practically effortless!

A trout salad is also a terrific way to eat healthy on the go if you pack it for lunch.

I like to make my version with fresh persimmon, cherry radishes, dill, and cucumbers.

Mix in some mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice to complete the dish.

7. Trout Biscuits

Fancy looking and a treat to the palate, these mini sandwiches are one of the tastiest and most elegant leftover trout ideas.

The buttery biscuits are light and crisp while the watercress filling is rich and creamy.

The best part? You can serve these hot or cold.

8. Trout Arancini Balls

Another recipe you can try when wondering what to do with leftover trout is arancini balls.

These trout balls are fun for parties and brunches.

They’re also fantastic as side dishes for lunch or dinner.

Cheesy, buttery, and crispy, these golden delights will be gone in seconds!

9. Trout Burgers

When in doubt about what to make with leftover trout, these trout burgers are perfect for lunch or dinner!

To form the tender patties, place the trout in a food processor along with eggs, breadcrumbs, red pepper, mustard, parsley, paprika, fish seasoning, salt, and pepper.

After grilling, I like to put the trout patties on toasted buns and top them with lettuce, mayo, and pickled cucumber.

10. Trout Omelet

If you’re in a hurry to start the day and have some leftover cooked trout, you can quickly whip up a tasty omelet!

Simply flake the fish, put it in a bowl, then stir in some eggs, cheddar cheese, and salt if necessary.

Pour the omelet mixture onto a buttered hot pan and remove when the underside is golden brown.

11. Trout Rice Bowl

A rice bowl is a wonderful lazy recipe, so it’s perfect for leftover trout.

All you need to do is make a yogurt dressing, pour it into your rice bowl, and then top it with trout bits, mushrooms, peas, sesame seeds, and your choice of herbs.

Toss everything together and voila!

12. Trout Pasta

Leftover trout pasta, need I say more?

This dish can be as versatile as you want.

You can use any type of pasta you want and any sort of toppings/sauces you like.

I prefer linguini pasta along with spicy tomato sauce.

13. Trout Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Roll

Finally, I saved the dessert for last!

That’s right, you can use leftover trout to make something sweet — particularly, a trout pumpkin and cream cheese roll.

This recipe originally uses smoked salmon, but trout works just as well thanks to its mild flavor.

Leftover Trout: All You Need to Know

Now that you’ve got a bunch of recipes up your sleeve for leftover trout, don’t stop there!

You should be familiar with the storage techniques and conditions of trout fish so you can use the leftovers in the best way possible.

How to Store Leftover Cooked Trout

If you end up with leftover cooked trout, don’t let it sit at room temperature for more than 1 hour (2 hours in winter).

Once the leftover cooked trout cools down, refrigerate it for short-term storage or freeze it for long-term storage.

You can store the fish warm, but it’s better if it’s chilled first.

A cold water bath will do the trick.

Put the cooked trout in food storage containers or zip-lock bags and make sure the closure is airtight to avoid faster deterioration in the fridge or damage by freezer burn.

How to Reheat Leftover Cooked Trout

For refrigerated and frozen leftover cooked trout, place the fish on a baking sheet and cover it with foil to lock in moisture.

Heat the trout in an oven at 275 degrees F until its internal temperature reaches 125 to 130 degrees F.

How Long Can Cooked Trout Last in the Fridge?

According to the USDA, you can safely keep cooked fish and other seafood in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

It’s important to use your cooked fish within the recommended period, otherwise, there’s a risk it’ll spoil and become dangerous.

Remember, refrigeration doesn’t stop bacterial growth, it only slows down the process.

Can You Store Cooked Trout in the Freezer?

Yes, you can keep leftover cooked trout in the freezer if you don’t plan on using it within its safe storage period in the fridge.

Keep in mind that you safely pop cooked trout in the freezer as long as it’s not been left at room temperature for more than 1 hour after cooking.

To get the best possible quality, use your leftover cooked trout within 2 to 3 months of freezing.

During this period, cooked trout maintains its texture, aroma, and flavor unchanged.

Still, if you don’t mind a compromised quality, you can safely use frozen trout for an indefinite time if it’s kept constantly frozen at 0 degrees F.