Top Halibut Recipes

March 25, 2014
Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
The largest of the flatfish family, halibut is an ultra-lean fish with a tender texture that makes it the perfect go-to fish for grilling or sautéing. Avoid frozen halibut, as it tends to overcook and dry out. Shop for the more sustainable Pacific halibut, and forgo Atlantic-caught halibut when possible. 
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Halibut with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Halibut with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes

For a more budget-friendly option, try substituting a similarly textured fish, such as cod, for the halibut fillets.

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Halibut Ceviche with Lime and Seaweed

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Halibut Ceviche with Lime and Seaweed

Seaweed goes well beyond sushi; here it gives a punch of savory crunch that balances that bright twang of lime and herbal fragrance of cilantro.

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Walnut-and Dijon-Crusted Halibut

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Walnut-and Dijon-Crusted Halibut

We use crumbled nuts as a substitute for traditional wheat breadcrumbs in breading. They add more earthy flavor than plain breadcrumbs and achieve superior crispness without getting soggy. Recipe developer Robin Bashinsky, our resident nut whisperer, crushes nuts in a zip-top plastic bag instead of chopping them, this yields larger pieces without creating much fine powder. Those larger pieces give the nuts a chance to cook gently along with the food they're encrusting until they're toasty, golden, and crunchy (superfine pieces could burn and become bitter).

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Grilled Halibut with Tarragon Beurre Blanc

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Grilled Halibut with Tarragon Beurre Blanc

Grilled Halibut with Tarragon Beurre Blanc is a delicious dinner option. The versatility of the buerre blanc—a hot butter sauce—allows it to pair easily with several types of fish, including tilapia and cod. Serve with Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus with Lemon and Pecorino.

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Coconut Curry Halibut

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Coconut Curry Halibut

Homemade coconut curry gives fresh halibut an explosive amount of flavor.

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Halibut with Bacony Corn Sauté

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Halibut with Bacony Corn Sauté

Fresh fish, corn on the cob, and your favorite bacon create a flavorful combination. Applewood-smoked bacon offers more subtle flavor than hickory or mesquite and won't overwhelm the other ingredients. A spritz of fresh lime juice brings the flavors into perfect balance.

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Halibut and Shrimp with Minted Broth

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Halibut and Shrimp with Minted Broth

The fish fillets should fit rather snugly in the pot with enough room for some shrimp to slip between the crevices. The braising liquid blends chicken broth, white wine, and Thai green curry paste—available in most supermarkets these days.

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Halibut with Olive and Bell Pepper Couscous

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Halibut with Olive and Bell Pepper Couscous

Our Halibut with Olive and Bell Pepper Couscous features briny kalamata olives, which add a salty punch. Ready in 30 minutes, this one-dish dinner will become a fast weeknight favorite.

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Halibut and Chorizo Stew with Garlic Toasts

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Halibut and Chorizo Stew with Garlic Toasts

Firm-fleshed halibut works best in this stew. Pair this dish with a side salad for a complete meal.

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Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks

These fish sticks are easy, kid-friendly and coated in crunchy panko breakcrumbs. Don't forget to serve with the dipping sauce and lemon wedges for a great weeknight dinner.

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Hazelnut-Crusted Halibut with Roasted Asparagus

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Hazelnut-Crusted Halibut with Roasted Asparagus

Fish is a great choice for quick dinners—most fillets cook to perfection in less than 10 minutes. You can use pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts in place of hazelnuts. To streamline prep and add a side, roast the asparagus together with Roasted Red Potatoes.

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Pan-Seared Halibut with Bell Pepper Relish

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Pan-Seared Halibut with Bell Pepper Relish

This vibrant pepper relish also works well with grilled chicken. Serve with a simple spinach salad.

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Chimichurri Halibut Tacos

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chimichurri Halibut Tacos

Green-hued Chimichurri sauce is composed of parsley, oregano, cumin, and garlic and originated in Argentina. The blend of seasonings gives the halibut a distinct, bold taste.

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Poached Halibut with Lemon-Herb Sauce

Credit: Photo: Anna Williams
View Recipe: Poached Halibut with Lemon-Herb Sauce

Ready in less than 25 minutes, poaced halibut slathered with a jalapeño pepper and lemon-herb sauce creates a quick and delicious dish the whole family will enjoy.

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Sautéed Halibut with Romesco Sauce

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Sautéed Halibut with Romesco Sauce

Highlight the sweet and subtle flavor of halibut with a smoky homemade romesco sauce.

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Halibut à la Provençal over Mixed Greens

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Halibut à la Provençal over Mixed Greens

A gorgeous piece of fish is the star of this recipe. To brown the fish correctly, make sure the skillet is very hot before adding the halibut. Serve the fillets over a simple mixed green salad.

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Halibut with Leeks

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Halibut with Leeks

Raisins and vinegar lend sweet-tart appeal to a dish inspired by a classic Italian approach.

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Basil-Steamed Halibut with Lemon Crème Sauce

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Basil-Steamed Halibut with Lemon Crème Sauce

This recipe uses a quick, simple fish stock to make the sauce and steam the halibut. Ask your local fishmonger for white fish bones; darker, oil-rich fish offer a stronger flavor. It's important to thoroughly rinse fish bones and remove any blood before preparing the stock.

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Grilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa

Credit: Photo: Gentl and Hyers
View Recipe: Grilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa

A fresh fruit salsa makes a sweet side for grilled halibut in the summer. Here, seasonal peaches paired with a fiery habañero pepper produce a sweet-spicy flavor. Leave the juicy fruit unpeeled for more color and texture.

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Halibut with Lemon-Fennel Salad

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut with Lemon-Fennel Salad

You'll love that this under-300 calorie halibut salad is both fast and filling.

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Halibut with Caper Salsa Verde

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut with Caper Salsa Verde

The robust salsa dominants this dish, and sweet and mellow roasted fennel makes a particularly fitting side.

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Pan-Grilled Halibut with Chimichurri

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Halibut with Chimichurri

Tangy herb sauce over pan-grilled fresh fish makes an impressive 30-minute meal.

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Southwest Cilantro Fish Stew

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Southwestern Cilantro Fish Stew

This Southwestern-inspired fish stew features classic Mexican ingredients like fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños.

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Halibut with Spicy Mint-Cilantro Chutney

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut with Spicy Mint-Cilantro Chutney

Traditional Indian cuisine inspired this speedy menu. A fiery sauce accompanies fish coated in a fragrant spice blend.

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Halibut with Grilled Tomato and Olive Relish

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Halibut with Grilled Tomato and Olive Relish

Mild halibut pairs nicely with this tangy relish, starring tasty late-summer tomatoes.

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Halibut Sandwiches with Spicy Tartar Sauce

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut Sandwiches with Spicy Tartar Sauce

Substitute your favorite deli meat for fresh fish—a perfect lunch for a picnic. Add lettuce for extra crunch.

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Sautéed Halibut with Lemon-Pesto Butter

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Sautéed Halibut with Lemon-Pesto Butter

Make extra lemon-herb butter. It's delicious tossed with steamed green beans, hot cooked rice, or pasta. Garnish with fresh basil.

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Halibut Meunière

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut Meunière

Using a bit of salt to season the fish and a little more to boost the pan sauce heightens flavors without going overboard on sodium. A little lemon juice and fresh parsley round out the flavors.

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Grilled Halibut with Three-Pepper Relish

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Grilled Halibut with Three-Pepper Relish

Using three different colored peppers to prepare the relish results in a beautiful and impressive presentation for this grilled halibut dish.

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Halibut with Citrus-Fennel Relish

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Halibut with Citrus-Fennel Relish

This dish takes advantage of spring produce and fish. You can use just oranges or a combination of oranges and grapefruit. Blood oranges would also add fresh flavor.

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Halibut with Coconut-Red Curry Sauce

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut with Coconut-Red Curry Sauce

Serve this Thai-inspired halibut dish for a quick and easy dinner in minutes. Soak up the delectable coconut-red curry sauce with a side of seasoned rice and bok choy.

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Tomato-Based White Wine Fish Soup

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Tomato-Based White Wine Fish Soup

This fish soup features a tomato-and-white-wine base, chopped vegetables, shrimp, scallops, and halibut.  Serve with dry, crusty bread for a complete meal.

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Fennel-Cured Halibut Gravlax

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Fennel-Cured Halibut Gravlax

Like salmon, the usual choice for this Swedish delicacy, cured halibut is delicious. Depending on the size of the fillets, you may use two to five pieces. Don't use one large fillet, as the salt cure will not seep evenly throughout the fish.

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Halibut with Persimmon Tomato and Dill Relish

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Halibut with Persimmon Tomato and Dill Relish

If persimmon tomatoes are not available in your area, substitute another orange tomato variety, such as Valencia. This sweet-tart relish is as tasty with grilled chicken or pork as it is with fish.

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Halibut en Papillote with Potatoes, Green Beans, and Sweet Onions

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Halibut en Papillote with Potatoes, Green Beans, and Sweet Onions

The olive oil is infused with lemon flavor during cooking, which is then used in the dressing for the veggies. Cook the potatoes and green beans while the fish bakes.

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Blackened Halibut with Remoulade