Sweet, flaky halibut is a true dinnertime luxury. Because the white fish doesn’t come cheap, I like to save it for special occasions. When I do splurge, I want the halibut to be the star. In this recipe, I simply dress pan-seared fillets with a warm lemon caper butter sauce — it’s understated elegance that tastes like a fancy restaurant meal.
What Flavors Go Well With Halibut?
Halibut is a mild white fish, which means it’s quite versatile and pairs well with most flavors. I like to let its pleasant sweetness take center stage, so I generally steer away from overwhelming it with strong spices. Lemon is a classic pairing for all fish, and it’s no different with halibut. Capers, garlic, and butter are also happy matches, and all of these ingredients are featured here.
How Long Does Halibut Need to Be Cooked For?
The time it takes to cook halibut depends on how thick the fillets are. To sear the fish, you’ll place it in a hot pan on one side first for four to five minutes until the underside is golden-brown and the fillets are cooked halfway up the sides. Then, you’ll flip the fillets and continue to cook for three to five minutes more until the fish flakes easily.
What to Serve With Halibut
If you’d like to keep dinner light, serve this halibut with a simple green salad. You can also round out the meal with a few other sides, including rice pilaf, fingerling potatoes or broccolini.
Halibut
Serves 4
Ingredients
