This pan seared halibut is made with tender halibut fillets, then smothered in a delicious garlic butter sauce. A 20 minute easy halibut recipe that’s perfect served with a silky garlic butter sauce.
We made a habit of cooking fish at least twice a week, and I often make our favorite pan seared salmon, this incredibly delicious cream cheese baked salmon, or make a bunch of these salmon patties or tuna cakes.
- Why You Are Going To Love This Halibut Recipe
- Easy Pan-seared Halibut Recipe
- What is Halibut?
- Ingredients For Halibut Recipe
- How To Make Pan Seared Halibut Recipe
- Prepare the Lemon Butter Sauce For Halibut
- Is Halibut Healthy?
- Tips For Making The Best Halibut Recipe
- How To Cook Halibut Without Drying it Out?
- How To Store Halibut
- How To Serve Pan Fried Halibut
- Looking For More Healthy Fish Recipes? Try These:
- Pan Seared Halibut with Garlic Butter Sauce
After salmon, halibut is one of my favorite fish because it’s super versatile, takes just minutes to cook, and pairs perfectly with my 4 ingredients garlic butter sauce. If you’re afraid of cooking fish, this halibut recipe is perfect for making at home, even if you’re a beginner. It’s so easy.
It’s no surprise that halibut is famous as a fish for people who aren’t seafood fans because of its delicious light flavor and excellent texture, similar to a steak with butter but much lighter. This recipe for pan-seared halibut is simple and fancy.
This simple crispy pan-seared halibut with lemon butter sauce is full of fresh, seasonal flavors and provides a nutritious, gluten-free, and satisfying meal.
Why You Are Going To Love This Halibut Recipe
- Flavor – This delicious halibut has a gentle taste that goes well with the seasonings accompaniments. This dish is full of delicious, simple, and seasonal flavors that will pair perfectly with any fish.
- Texture – This is definitely a recipe for the senses. Lightly thicker and firmer than other white fish such as cod, this pan-seared halibut has smooth flesh and an unbelievably crispy crust.
- Easy to Make – You will need just one pan and some delicious seasonings to make this amazing recipe.
Easy Pan-seared Halibut Recipe
See how easy it’s to make the best pan-fried halibut recipe!
What is Halibut?
Halibut is a species of flatfish that’s a source of high-quality protein, rich in selenium, niacin, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Phosphorus.
It deserves a place in your weekly dinner rotation because the flavor of halibut is very mild, which is excellent as you can create a flavorful sauce to improve the fish’s taste.
Halibut may seem like a difficult fish to cook in the pan. However, it is super easy; just a little patience with the searing technique, and you will surprise your friends and family.
This pan-seared halibut recipe is perfect for making at home, even if you’re a beginner. The fish is lightly thicker and firmer than other white fish, like cod, giving it a smooth flesh and an unbelievably crispy crust.
Ingredients For Halibut Recipe
You’ll be surprised to discover that you can pan sear halibut with just a few ingredients that will surprise everyone.
- Halibut Fillets – make sure that the flash is translucent when you are buying the halibut.
- Garlic Powder – you can also use fresh garlic cloves.
- Paprika – that will give the fish a beautiful color.
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Olive Oil – you can easily replace it with butter.
How To Make Pan Seared Halibut Recipe
Before you start preparing this recipe, I recommend wiping the halibut to remove any extra liquid. Then, before you cook the fillets, wrap them in paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. This way, the fish gets a nice crispy crust.
- Season the Halibut Fish – Start by mixing the seasonings in a small bowl. Generously season the halibut fish on both sides with the seasoning mix.
- Pan sear the halibut – Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the pan is hot, place the fillet and cook on each side for about 4 minutes until nice and fork tender. If the fillets are thinner, reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking the fish. It continues to cook a little after you remove it from the pan.
Prepare the Lemon Butter Sauce For Halibut
This Lemon Butter Sauce it’s infused with garlic and complements the fish so well. Just cook the garlic in butter until fragrant, and then mix in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. When ready to serve, drizzle on the pan-seared fish.
Is Halibut Healthy?
Including halibut in your diet can provide substantial health benefits. Here are a few examples.
- It can reduce inflammation. Selenium, one of halibut’s major minerals, is a well-known antioxidant.
- Because selenium helps decrease inflammation, specialists think it could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- It’s difficult to find a diet on which you can’t eat halibut. This fish is low carb, low fat, low salt, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Tips For Making The Best Halibut Recipe
- After thawing the halibut, don’t forget to pat it down with a paper towel, which is a step that is sometimes forgotten and underrated.
- Allow the fish to rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature. Fish that is cold tends to stick to the pan.
- Before trying to flip the fish, test it with a thin metal spatula. If the fish does not release, leave it for another 30 seconds, and try to flip again.
How To Cook Halibut Without Drying it Out?
That will require some practice. With that being said, when you are pan-searing a fish, be sure the pan is hot when you place the fish. To seal in the natural juices, sear the exterior. Then, reduce the heat to low (if necessary) and finish cooking the halibut.
If you prefer to bake halibut in the oven, leave the skin on, and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. These two methods will help you to avoid drying out fish. Baked halibut it’s just as delicious and easy to make.
How To Store Halibut
- You can store your halibut fish in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about four days.
- If you want to freeze the halibut, put the fillet in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then put the whole baking sheet in a freezer. Transfer the fillets to freezer-safe plastic bags once they’ve been frozen.
How To Serve Pan Fried Halibut
We love to serve this pan-seared fish with some roasted vegetables. But there are other interesting ideas that you can try:
Looking For More Healthy Fish Recipes? Try These:
- 15-minute Pan-Seared Cajun Salmon
- Parmesan Crusted Cod
- Air Fryer SalmonTuna Cakes with Lemon Dill Aioli
- Salmon Patties Recipe
Pan Seared Halibut with Garlic Butter Sauce
Description
Ingredients
- 4 6- oz Halibut fillets
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pat dry the halibut fillets to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the halibut generously with garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and sea salt.
- Place the fish fillets in the pan. Sear undisturbed for 4 minutes until a golden crust forms, and the fish looks opaque on the edges.
- Carefully flip the halibut and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the fish is cooked and flakes easily.
- Remove the halibut from the pan and keep warm.
- Melt the butter in the same pan and cook the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Serve the fish on a plate then and finish with a drizzle of lemon butter sauce.
- TIP: If you don’t like garlic remove it from the ingredients, the lemon sauce tastes wonderful either way.
Video
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
Restaurant quality meal. Absolutely delicious using the freshest of halibut. Will definitely make again! So simple to make too.
Thank you so much! Fast, easy and delicious. I reduced lemon juice amount to 1T.
Hands down the best recipe for pan seared fish!
Best fish recipe for Halibut! My hubby and I have made it twice now and we will be using this recipe again. The spices are perfect blend making the flavor amazing. Highly recommend!
I made this 2 days ago, and it’s so delicious I’m making it again tonight. Absolutely a favorite from now on. The same recipe would be excellent on salmon or other fish of choice in my opinion. Will try that soon too!
Very easy & delicious. Will definitely make this again.