How to Cook Halibut

Last Updated: August 31, 2022

Halibut, which lives in the northern Pacific and northern Atlantic oceans, is known for its fresh, light flavor. It has a low fat content with dense flesh, and tastes best with a light seasoning or sauce. The most popular ways to eat halibut are broiled, grilled, or marinated. Read on to find out more about the best methods for preparing this delicious fish.

Steps

1
Choose halibut steaks that are fresh in appearance. The flesh should be a translucent, white and shiny. It should spring back when you press it. Avoid steaks that look mottled, discolored, or dull.
2
Keep the fish moist. Halibut is naturally low in fat, so it can dry out quickly during the cooking process. To prevent this, brush both sides with oil or melted butter before cooking halibut. You can also marinate the fish in oil or a flavored prepared marinade for a few hours before you cook it.

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3
Limit how much you handle the fish. Only turn the fish when it is halfway done. This will help keep it from breaking apart and will help ensure even cooking throughout the fillet. Turn the halibut over using a wide spatula or turner to make sure you flip the whole fillet.
4
Season in moderation. The flavor of halibut is delicate and light, so it's important to avoid over-seasoning the fish and losing its natural flavor. Avoid heavy spices or thick sauces. Instead, choose a light sauce or marinade to complement the flavor of the fish.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Broiled or Grilled Halibut

1
Gather your ingredients. You only need a few simple ingredients to make a healthy and delicious broiled or grilled halibut. Here's what you need:
- Halibut steaks
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges
2
Marinade overnight if desired.
3
Turn on the broiler to heat your oven. If you're grilling your halibut, light your grill. Make sure it is heated evenly before proceeding.
4
Place the halibut steaks skin side down in a glass or metal baking pan. If you're using a grill, place them directly on the grill.
5
Brush the steaks with olive oil or melted butter. If you wish, top the butter with a teaspoon or two of minced garlic.
6
Sprinkle the halibut with salt and pepper.
7
Broil halibut for about 10 minutes. Test it with a fork for doneness. Serve garnished with a lemon wedge.
- Cooked halibut will flake away from the fork easily, while undercooked halibut will still feel solid and fleshy.
- Cook halibut without drying it out by watching the cooking time carefully. Grilled halibut should be cooked for no more than 10 minutes per inch thick.
- To be sure, use a food thermometer to make sure it has reached 145 °F in the middle.
8
Finished!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Halibut Ceviche

1
Gather your ingredients. You only need a few ingredients to make halibut ceviche. The best part is that you don't have to cook it in the traditional sense. Here's what you'll need:
- One pound halibut, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatillos
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
2
Place halibut cubes in a medium bowl.
3
Coat with salt. Toss the pieces to be sure they are evenly coated.
4
Pour the lime juice over the fish. Toss to make sure they are evenly coated.
5
Allow the fish to marinate. After about 30 minutes, the flesh should be opaque. If the flesh is still translucent, allow to marinate for another 15 minutes.
6
Add avocados, tomatillo, onion, jalapeño and olive oil. Toss the mixture so the ingredients are evenly distributed.
7
Serve with tortilla chips.

Community Q&A

Question

Do you rinse halibut before cooking it?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, most chefs recommend rinsing halibut with cool water before cooking it. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel when you’re done.
Question

Should you cook halibut with the skin on?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, cooking with the skin on helps prevent the flesh of the fish from sticking to the pan or grill. Plus, the skin can get deliciously crispy when you cook it properly!
Question

How do you not overcook halibut?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Poaching your fish is a good way to avoid overcooking it, since it involves using a liquid to keep the fish moist as you cook it. However you cook it, check it frequently—when it’s done, it should be opaque all the way through and easy to flake with a fork. Depending on the size of the piece of halibut, most cooking methods don’t take more than about 5-10 minutes.

Things You'll Need

Ingredients listed above
Glass or metal baking pan
Wide spatula or turner
Grill or broiler

Warnings

Halibut has a moderate level of mercury. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, it can be safely consumed by adults once a week, by children over 6 three times a month, and by children under 6 two times a month.

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