It has a similar flavour profile and tends to be less intensively farmed, so can be a more sustainable choice too.
To find out how core supermarket options compare, we asked a panel of shoppers to blind-taste and rate smoked trout from Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Goatsbridge (Ocado).
M&S was the top trout overall (echoing results from our 2023 smoked salmon taste test), while Waitrose also scored well.
Around two-thirds of those who tasted both said they'd be happy to switch from salmon too.
Eat well, live better and stay healthy:Best smoked trout
M&S Collection Scottish Smoked Trout - 76%
£6 for 100g
M&S' Scottish-farmed rainbow trout is cured with sea salt and demerara sugar, and smoked over oak wood chips.
It was a hit with our panel, with nearly half choosing it as their favourite of the three.
Our tasters enjoyed both its flavour and texture, and it was the best-rated trout on appearance, with 89% saying it was the perfect colour.
Available from M&S (in store only).Waitrose Mild Scottish Smoked Trout - 74%
£5.95 for 100g
Like M&S, Waitrose says its Scottish trout is cured using salt and demerara sugar, then oak smoked to give it a mild, delicate flavour.
This trout also proved popular with our tasters, and most were satisfied with the saltiness and strength of smoked flavour.
As with M&S, two thirds of our panel said they’d be happy to have this instead of smoked salmon.
Available from .Goatsbridge Smoked Rainbow Trout - 70%
£5.50 for 100g
Goatsbridge uses farmed Irish freshwater rainbow trout, cured with salt and smoked over wood chippings. It's the cheapest of the packs we tested.
Our tasters didn’t think it looked quite as appealing as the other options, with around half finding the colour too dark.
However, they generally approved of the flavour and texture, with 55% saying they would happily switch from smoked salmon.
Available fr- see which supermarket fizz excelled versus pricey branded rivals in our independent expert taste testsSmoked salmon vs smoked trout
Smoked trout has a similar flavour and taste profile to smoked salmon, though you might find it looks a little bit pinker and tastes slightly more subtle.
It's worth a try even if you just want to switch it up a bit this year. But it can also be more sustainable.
Here's how trout and salmon compare on price, sustainability and nutrition.
Is smoked trout more sustainable than smoked salmon?
Depending on the type of salmon you buy, there can be various sustainability issues due to intensive farming.
However, sustainability credentials vary depending on the type of smoked trout you choose. If you can, look for rainbow trout farmed in UK freshwater ponds as this tends to have a lower environmental impact.
For more advice, see our guide on .Is smoked trout healthier than smoked salmon?
Smoked trout contains the essential Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which are proven to support heart and brain health, and normal vision. We're advised to eat 1-2 portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily - a serving of smoked trout counts towards this.
However, like smoked salmon, smoked trout is high in salt - a 50g serving contains more than a quarter of your maximum recommended salt intake for the day and so should be eaten in moderation.
Where smoked trout and smoked salmon differ is in fat content - salmon tends to be higher in fat (although this does mean it's slightly higher in Omega 3s too).
Is smoked trout cheaper than smoked salmon?
Not really. Prices are quite similar - supermarket smoked trout and smoked salmon usually costs around £5 to £6 for a 100g pack, although it can be pricier if you go for a more premium version.
How to serve smoked trout
From indulgent brunches to festive canapes, smoked trout can be used in place of smoked salmon in a variety of dishes.
Goatsbridge suggests having smoked trout in salad, pasta or with eggs, while Waitrose recommends trying it in a salad with avocado, baby leaves and thinly sliced radish, drizzled with lemon vinaigrette.
Another serving suggestion from M&S is to serve it as a platter with cucumber, capers, watercress, lemon and fresh crusty bread.
You could also try it in Christmas canapes, for example by swapping it out in smoked salmon blinis.
Discover more of our top Christmas food and drink picks, includingHow we tested smoked trout
The smoked trout samples were tested in September 2024. We recruited a large panel of consumers who regularly buy and consume smoked salmon and/or smoked trout. The make-up of the panel broadly represents the demographic profile of adults in the UK.
The taste test took place in our specialist tasting lab. Each product was assessed by 111 people. They rated the taste, texture, aroma and appearance of the trout and told us what they liked and disliked about each one.
The taste test was blind, so tasters didn’t know which brand they were trying. The order they tasted the products in was fully rotated to avoid any bias, and each person did their tasting session in a private booth, so they couldn’t discuss it or be influenced by others around them.
The overall score was based on:
Is smoked trout packaging recyclable?
We noticed some variation across the products we tested, so it's worth checking the recycling instructions carefully.
Goatsbrige states that the packaging is recyclable, whereas Waitrose says its packaging is not recyclable.
M&S says the cardboard sleeve and board can be recycled, but the film is not recyclable.
Prices and availability checked 21 October 2024.source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/smoked-trout-taste-test-ms-vs-waitrose-vs-goatsbridge-a0ALQ8N5RPGZ