What’s the Best Halibut Recipe? Check Out Our 25 Favorites
If you’re looking to introduce more healthy fish into your diet, chances are you’re thinking about using cod, salmon, or tuna.
But halibut is a great alternative. It’s a lean fish with more ‘bite’ than cod and a mild, somewhat sweet taste. It can easily take on other flavors so you can use it in a wide range of dishes, and you can pan-sear, bake, grill, slow-roast, and essentially prepare it in any way you like as long as you take it gently – when cooked gently, it retains all the juicy goodness.
It’s also a valuable addition to most meal plans – paleo, keto, low carb, WW, and many more. Fun fact: halibut is a massive fish – specimens of up to 700 lbs have been caught!
When buying halibut, it should smell ‘sea-fresh,’ not fishy. Whether you’re buying it fresh or frozen, whole or in filets, the color should be vivid, with no discoloration or dryness.
Pro tip: there’s a commercial ‘halibut season’ which runs from mid-March to November, and the best time to buy it is springtime. Allow one pound of fresh halibut per two adult-sized portions.
To help you explore the variety of halibut recipes out there, we’ve listed 25 of the best as inspiration. There’s something to please every taste, so go on and experiment with this versatile fish!
1. Garlic Parmesan Baked Halibut
Let’s start our journey with a simple yet delicious way to prepare halibut. The filets, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a few drops of lemon, only spend six minutes in the oven before being covered with the garlicky parmesan sauce. Then, it’s back into the oven for another 2-3 minutes, to give the top time to brown.
So, in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have a light yet nourishing lunch or supper dish, ready to serve with fresh steamed vegetables and perhaps new potatoes. Delicious!
2. Easy Grilled Halibut
Whether you grill the fish in the open air or cook it in a pan on the stovetop, the marinade makes this dish unforgettable. Mixing the butter with lemon, soy sauce, pepper, and garlic with a touch of honey to add sweetness, brings out the delicate flavor of the fish, without overpowering it.
A few drops of lemon juice add a final flourish.
3. Crispy Halibut with Lemon-Dill Sauce
The secret behind the success of this recipe is its panko crust. So what is panko? Panko is (or are?) Japanese breadcrumbs made from a particular type of bread. However, you can make your own using regular white bread (crusts removed) and toasting the crumbs in the oven until they’re dry and crunchy.
Next, mix them with paprika and garlic before coating the egg-dipped filets in the mixture and broiling them for about four minutes on each side.
4. Easy Cheesy Halibut Dip
Here’s a super easy cheesy halibut that’s perfect for parties, family gatherings, or picnics. First, fry your halibut in butter until it’s soft and easily flaked. Then mix in the cheeses (yes, this recipe calls for cheddar, cream cheese, and Monterey Jack, so it’s very cheesy) and the other ingredients – green chili, jalapeno juice, and mayonnaise. Heat in a crock pot until all the ingredients are melted.
Serve the luscious mixture on crackers or warm fresh bread, perhaps with a glass of your favorite red wine for an exquisite appetizer or snack.
5. Mediterranean Poached Halibut
This is a perfect, one-pan weeknight meal that requires minimal effort. First, the fish is seasoned with a dry rub of herbs and spices. Next, the broth, loaded with vibrant Mediterranean flavors and a glug of white wine, is prepared and simmered.
Step three – place the halibut filets into the broth, cover, and cook for around five minutes, and you’re done! Serve on a bed of rice, couscous, or any starch to soak up the delicious juices.
6. Grilled Halibut
This is a delectable grilled halibut recipe with a healthy honey, lemon, and garlic dressing that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare!
It’s ideal for outdoor grilling because the no-fuss marinade can be prepared well in advance and just needs to be brushed onto the filets before they’re seared.
7. Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce
Halibut can also make an excellent centerpiece for a celebration meal, especially if you’re looking for a change from the traditional joints of meat. This is an elegant way to serve halibut filets, with a rich lemon and buttery sauce, dotted with salty capers.
8. Halibut Cakes with Ginger, Cilantro, and Coconut-Lime Mayonnaise
These light and delectable halibut cakes have a crunchy texture as they’re filled with pieces of scallions and ginger, while vibrant green cilantro adds visual appeal. Pan-frying allows the crust to be lightly crisped while the inside remains juicy and tender.
They make a perfect partner for baked sweet potatoes and a simple side of sautéed spinach or steamed broccoli. If you have time to make the coconut-lime mayonnaise, that will take the dish to the next level – but if you don’t, a dollop of good quality store-bought mayo will do the trick.
9. Greek Halibut Soup
This delectable Greek soup can be prepped and served in around 30 minutes. Apart from the freshness of the ingredients, what makes it unique is the addition of healthy spiralized zucchini in place of regular noodles.
10. Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic
This wonderful recipe couldn’t be easier to make! First, place some lemon slices in a baking dish and lie the seasoned halibut filets on top. Next, add some lemon zest and minced garlic to the melted butter and spoon over the filets. Bake for ten minutes in a 425ºF oven – and dinner is ready to serve!
Pro tip: when the fish is cooked through, it will be opaque, not translucent. You’ll also be able to flake it easily with a fork.
11. Asian-Style Halibut in Parchment
The parchment packets keep all the delicious juices and meld all the flavors together beautifully. This Asian-inspired dish bakes in just 15 minutes to create a stylish midweek dinner or light weekend lunch.
Tip: if you don’t have any parchment to hand, use foil instead.
12. Spice Roasted Halibut with Avocado Salsa
One for all the avocado lovers – because the salsa in this recipe is divine when partnered with any white fish, especially when it’s spiced and roasted halibut. Not only is this a tangy treat for any jaded taste buds, but it’s also a keto-friendly option.
13. Blushing Halibut Chowder
The attractive orange-pink color of luxurious creamy chowder is due to the mix of spices and seasonings in the Spanish chorizo.
However, you can intensify it by adding some Spanish smoked paprika. The key to retaining the meltingly soft texture of the fish is to cook it over low heat – if it’s too hot it will become rubbery.
14. Dry Rub Air Fryer Halibut
Although halibut can be prepared in many ways, an air fryer achieves a super juicy and tender bite while bringing out the intense flavors of the dry rub in this recipe.
There’s no need to worry about getting the balance of spices and seasonings right because the author recommends using Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning – with a splash of lemon juice! However, if you prefer to make your own, so it’s as smokey and hot as you like, mix some salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and some ancho Chile powder together and create your own unique blend.
15. Air Fryer Pistachio Crusted Halibut
Another delicious air fryer recipe packed with juicy goodness. The crust is a mixture of goat cheese, lemon zest, and vibrant green and purple colors of pistachios. It elevates this fast and easy air fryer dish to a new level of enjoyment. Serve with lightly steamed seasonal veggies of your choice.
Pro tip: when using a dry rub, always blot the filets dry with a paper towel first so the rub sticks to the fish.
16. Halibut with Honey-soused Vegetables & Avocado Purée
This is a British-inspired take on halibut from award-winning chef Eric Snaith. If you want to incorporate avocado into your dish, this sophisticated recipe is presented with an unexpected twist.
With a garnish of fresh sorrel leaves and candied and golden beetroot shavings, you can assemble a stunning plate that tastes as good as it looks.
17. Roast Halibut with Beetroot, Bacon, and Black Pudding Dressing
Another restaurant-grade concoction, this time from Dublin-based chef Derry Clarke. Despite the sophisticated presentation, it’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients.
Hint: if you can’t source top-quality black pudding, replace it with more bacon. And although the recipe specifies cabernet vinegar, red wine vinegar will be OK.
18. Panko-Herb Crusted Halibut
This easy-to-make citrusy crust adds a new dimension to the clean, uncomplicated flavor of juicy halibut. The serving suggestion of topping with fresh chopped chives and pairing it with a creamy goat’s cheese and asparagus risotto is perfect for a special springtime meal.
19. Grilled Halibut Filets
Here’s the perfect recipe if you love grilling over an open flame. The halibut filets only need to be marinated for around 30 minutes to absorb the flavors and let the acid do its work – leave them longer and they risk turning into mush.
Cooking only takes a few minutes on each side for perfection to be achieved. Serve with French fries, rice, or whatever carbs you like, with a crunchy fresh salad on the side.
20. Grilled Shrimp and Halibut with Herb and Dijon Marinade
Do you love to grill food in the open air? The elements of this elegant gourmet recipe of marinated shrimp skewers and halibut filets, drenched in a creamy white wine sauce can be prepared in advance so they’re easy to finish and create a relaxed, al fresco feast.
21. Grilled Halibut and Spicy Hummus Wrap
These easy, versatile wraps are a perfect lunchbox staple or a great snack to take along when you’re on the move. The halibut only takes 8 minutes to grill or fry and can be paired with sliced lettuce, shredded cabbage, or any other veggies of your choice. Add avocado to the hummus, and you’ll have a mouth-watering treat packed with essential nutrients.
22. Easy Halibut Tacos
These tasty tacos are loaded with seasoned halibut, shredded cabbage, creamy avocado, and the ultimate fish taco sauce! This recipe takes under 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a weeknight supper or as part of a game-day TV feast.
23. Blackened Halibut
Blackening food doesn’t have to be intimidating if you follow the simple steps in the recipe. First, the halibut filet is covered in melted butter, dredged in a herb and spice mixture, and cooked for a few minutes in a scorching skillet or frying pan. The outside becomes crispy, while the fish inside retains its tender juiciness. Irresistible! It’s excellent served with a fresh crunchy salad.
24. Parmesan Crusted Baked Halibut
Another light and healthy parmesan-based recipe that you can prepare in 15 minutes, this time with a crunchy crust rather than a sauce. The halibut filet takes on the flavors of the seasoning so well that it only needs a mixture of parmesan, fresh garlic, paprika, pepper, and perhaps some cilantro. Place it onto a baking sheet, perhaps with some fresh asparagus spears or other seasonal veggies, and bake in a 400ºF (200ºC) oven for 15 minutes.
Pro tip: it’s always better to undercook the halibut slightly rather than risk drying out.
25. Halibut, Curry, Romanesco, Bergamot, Oyster Leaf
This is a delicious halibut recipe by Chef Stephen Toman. It’s served with a delicious sauce and curry and topped with a super flavorful bergamot oil. Delish!
