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Halibut fillets in a baking dish cooked perfectly succulent halibut recipe

Halibut

Everything you need to know about Halibut and making a simple halibut recipe: Baked Halibut. The oven does all the work and you get flakey, tender and succulent halibut that's baked in butter, garlic, lemon slices and herbs. Perfect 20 minute meal for those busy days! 

Course dinner, fish, Main Course, Main Dish, Seafood
Cuisine American, Mediterranean, South American
Keyword baked halibut, halibut, halibut fish, halibut recipe, halibut recipes, how to cook halibut, seafood, Seafood Dinner
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 371 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Halibut

  • 4 halibut fillets with or without skin
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper or to taste

Baking Halibut

  • 1/2 cup Butter may use olive oil
  • 1 lemon sliced thinly
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1/2 cup herbs fresh herbs on the stalk like thyme, oregano, dill

Instructions

  1. Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.

  2. Pat dry the halibut and season the fillets on both sides with salt and pepper.

    Halibut fillets on a wooden board seasoned with just salt and pepper

  3. Use an oven safe dish, and put the butter in the dish. Place the dish in the oven for 10 minutes until the butter has melted. Remove from the oven.

    An oven safe dish with lots of melted butter ready to for the halibut recipe

  4. Layer the thinly sliced lemons, garlic and fresh herbs over the melted butter.

    The bottom of the oven safe dish is then layered with sliced garlic, lemon slices and fresh herbs before the halibut fish is added.

  5. Place the halibut fish right over those lemons, herbs and garlic.

    The seasoned halibut fish fillets are placed on top of the lemon garlic herb and butter layer on the baking dish

  6. Feel free to season the butter with salt and pepper if it's your taste.

  7. Bake the halibut in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the fish has cooked and flakes with a fork.

    The halibut fish is out of the oven and a hand is holding the dish showing the succulent cooked halibut recipe

  8. Now turn on the broiler and broil the fish for 3 minutes if you want a golden crust.

  9. When the fish is ready, spoon that flavored melted butter at the bottom of the dish all over the fish and drench it!

    A hand scooping some of the butter from the bottom of the dish over the halibut to add even more butter flavor.

  10. Serve the halibut with pasta, more fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon and chilli flakes if you like.

    A fork flaking off a halibut fish when cooked to show the cooked texture of the fish

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Halibut Recipe Tips and FAQ

  • Choose fresh and firm fish that smells like the ocean.
  • This recipe works great with skin on or skinless filets.
  • Season the halibut lightly as it's a mild tasting fish.
  • Bake until the fillets are cooked, avoid over baking them--tips on the below.
  • Broiling at the end gives you an extra golden crust and color which is great for the halibut!
  • The fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork in the center or if your meat thermometer reads 140 degreesF.
  • Halibut recipe is best when made the day of and eaten right away. 
  • Leftovers: are great for Fish Tacos, served over Panzanella Salad .
  • To Reheat: Place the fish back on a baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
  • To Freeze: It's best to freeze the dish before baking and bake it from frozen, adding an extra 15 minutes to your cooking time. 

How Long to Bake Halibut?

Depending on the thickness and size of your fish, it's best to bake for 12-15 minutes and then add an extra 3 minutes of broiling towards the end.

How do you know when Baked Halibut is done?

The best way to tell if your fish is done is to test it with a fork and the thickest point which is usually the center and then twist it softly. If the fish flakes easily, then it's done. Cooked fish will also have a solid white color and no longer look translucent. If you have a meat thermometer then the center of the fish should be anywhere between 140-145 degrees F. 

How Long to Cook Halibut in a Pan?

Pan fried halibut is cooked for about 4-6 minutes per side, again depending on the size and thickness of your fillets. Always pan sear the fish over medium high heat to start and then turn the temperature down to medium heat once you flip the fish. Another great way tis to do the same fork test as above or use the meat thermometer.

Is halibut a good fish to eat?

YES! Loaded with nutrients, omega 3 and protein. It's a great source of selenium, magnesium, vitamin B's and more!

Halibut vs Cod?

One of the most pressing questions I get is this one. So here's how to know the difference between both types of fish and choose how to cook each one differently. 
Halibut has a more dense and firm texture compared to cod, and it is of course a thicker fillet. In terms of taste, halibut tends to be slightly sweeter tasting than cod and less fatty. For that, I don't prefer grilling this fish nor do I prefer heavily spicing it.
Nutrition Facts
Halibut
Amount Per Serving
Calories 371 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 144mg48%
Sodium 590mg26%
Potassium 805mg23%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 987IU20%
Vitamin C 16mg19%
Calcium 37mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.