This easy baked Alaskan halibut recipe can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve it with rice and a simple salad.
Making fish at home is very easy and you can find really great fresh and frozen Alaskan seafood at the grocery store nowadays.
I decided to use halibut for this recipe because I love it and I feel like it may not be cooked at home as much as it should be.
I pondered making a number of baked halibut recipes but decided to stick to an easy halibut recipe.
Easy Baked Alaskan Halibut
Halibut doesn’t have a lot of natural oil so it’s important to keep it moist, otherwise it will dry out fast.
There are a lot of different ways to cook halibut. You can grill it, bake it or fry it in a pan; as long as you make sure it is moist it will be delicious.
I basted halfway through the baking process and ended up with flaky and juicy meat. I made a quick lemon butter and used that to oil the baking dish and to baste the fish.
It may be simple but it is simply delicious.
I don’t usually baste with butter but I thought it would be okay with halibut. Everything in moderation, right?
I served the baked halibut with a small side salad and some wild rice. It was so easy to make and so quick that it is now on our weeknight rotation.
You can never have too many delicious 30-minute meals!
Can I use frozen halibut filets?
Yes! Make sure they are fully defrosted prior to baking.
How do you know when halibut is cooked?
To test if the halibut is cooked, insert a fork into the thickest part of the filet. Twist the fork gently; cooked fish will flake. If the meat doesn’t flake or is transparent, return it to the oven to cook more.
What temperature should halibut be cooked to?
Halibut is safely cooked when it has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
What goes with baked halibut?
I serve halibut with rice and a small salad to keep the meal light. Other options you may like:
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh halibut two 6-ounce filets
- 4 tablespoons butter
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon herbes de provenance
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the lemon juice, sea salt and herbs de provenance. Stir well and turn off heat when all the ingredients are combined.
- Use a brush to grease the bottom of a baking dish with the butter mixture. Rinse the halibut filets and pat dry with a paper towel. Place the filets in the baking dish. Brush more of the butter mixture on the halibut filets, making sure that they are completely covered in butter.
- Place the baking dish in the oven for 15 minutes. Halfway through, remove the dish and baste with the butter mixture. After 10 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and baste with the butter one more time. Serve hot.
Michelle
Tuesday 12th of June 2018
I made this recipe with minor adjustments. It turned out perfect! The recipe is fantastic! This is the first time my family has tried halibut. The herbs I used were fresh Thyme and Rosemary. I used my Ninja chopper to finely chop the herbs and place them in the butter. It was awesome!
Jenny
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
I'm so glad to hear you liked it and your adjustments sound delicious. I'm going to try them out the next time I make this!
Kathy Zullo
Saturday 9th of April 2016
I have always tried to cook fish with no success. When I saw your halibut post I had to try and make it. I followed your recipe exactly and it came out perfectly. My son hates fish, but he couldn't resist the aroma in the kitchen. You have converted my son into a halibut lover. Can't wait to make it again. Thank you
Jenny
Saturday 9th of April 2016
So glad to hear that Kathy and thanks for the feedback! Have a great weekend!
lindsay
Wednesday 27th of January 2016
This was WAY overcooked unfortunately. Have looked at other recipes after overcooking our (expensive) halibut last night and most say 12-15 minutes total. Bummed about this....
Jenny
Wednesday 27th of January 2016
I'm sorry this recipe didn't work for you, Lindsay. I have made it several times with the directions I specified with positive results each time. I can troubleshoot with you if you'd like. If you want to email me directly, my email is jennyb@honeyandbirch.com or I will keep an eye out for any future comments here.
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite
Friday 21st of August 2015
Halibut is actually my favorite fish, so mild but so delicious. I love to get a good crust on the outside by searing in a pan first. This is a great recipe though and beautiful photography :)
Jenny B
Friday 21st of August 2015
Thank you Kait - next time I make it will test out making it crusty!
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner?
Monday 6th of April 2015
What a deliciously simple way of preparing fish. I am featuring you this week, over at Simple Supper Tuesday. We hope you can join us again, starting Monday night at 8pm EST.
Jenny B
Monday 6th of April 2015
Thank you so much Cindy! It's super yummy while being easy to make at the same time!