History

Rainbow and brook trout from the Great Smoky Mountains streams have anchored East Tennessee menus since the 1930s when the national park was established. Joseph Lenn at J.C. Holdway brought the dish into modern fine dining with foothills smoking techniques. The Plaid Apron and Blackberry Farm both run trout off the spring and summer menus.

Common allergens: Fish, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 2Hands-on 15 minTotal 20 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 whole rainbow trout, cleaned, 12 oz each
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Fresh thyme sprigs
  • Toasted slivered almonds for garnish

Method

  1. Pat the trout dry inside and out. Season the cavity and skin with salt and pepper.
  2. Dust the trout lightly with flour, shaking off the excess.
  3. Heat butter and olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams.
  4. Lay the trout in the pan and cook 4 minutes without moving until the skin is golden.
  5. Carefully flip and cook 3 more minutes until the flesh near the spine is opaque.
  6. Transfer to plates. Add lemon slices and thyme to the pan and cook 30 seconds.
  7. Spoon the pan butter over the trout and scatter with toasted almonds.

Tip from the editors. Pat the skin dry before flouring so it crisps in the pan. Don't move the fish for the first 4 minutes.

Where to eat smoky mountain trout

Smoky Mountain Trout in Knoxville

J.C. Holdway ★ 4.8

Modern Appalachian, Farm-to-tableChef Joseph Lenn$$$market-squareTue-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-Mon

J.C. Holdway on Union Avenue is Joseph Lenn's wood-fired Appalachian dining room since 2016, the top of Knoxville's chef-driven dinner tier.

Signature: Wood-fired Appalachian plates, Local trout

Order: The chef's wood-fired Appalachian protein of the week with a tasting-menu glass pairing.

Tip: Reservations open about a month out on Resy; the dining room sits about 50, so book early for Friday and Saturday.

501 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902 Book →

The Plaid Apron ★ 4.6

BrunchSouthern brunch with East Tennessee farms$$$15-25beardenWed-Sat 09:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00; Sun 09:00-14:00; closed Mon-TueResy reservations

The Plaid Apron on Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills, the Southern brunch and dinner room, runs Wednesday-to-Sunday brunch with cinnamon rolls.

Order: Cinnamon roll with grits and a smash burger

Tip: Sunday brunch only; Wednesday to Saturday are full brunch and dinner. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

1210 Kenesaw Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919

Bistro at the Bijou ★ 4.4

New American Bistro$$gay-streetMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-00:00; Sat 10:00-00:00; Sun 10:00-21:00

Bistro at the Bijou on South Gay Street, the dining room attached to the historic Bijou Theatre, runs a pre-theater menu and live jazz Tuesdays in one.

Signature: Pre-theater menu, Tuesday live jazz

Order: The pre-theater bistro menu with a glass off the built wine list.

Tip: Time the reservation 90 minutes before showtime; Sundays run quieter than Friday and Saturday.

807 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

More cities are in research. Want smoky mountain trout covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →