This baked halibut recipe is incredibly tender and flavorful! The fish is flaky, buttery and delicious. This recipe takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. It is low carb, healthy and feels gourmet!

Baked halibut recipe with lemon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This baked halibut is quick and easy.
  • It is baked in the oven.
  • No need for a grill.
  • This recipe has only 1 carb per serving.
  • The garlic butter sauce is to die for!
  • Try this Trout Recipe or this Sockeye Salmon Recipe if you enjoy this sauce.
  • It is great for Christmas, holidays, birthdays and many occasions.
  • This recipe is Whole30, Paleo, Keto, gluten free, low carb, sugar free and nut free.
  • Check out this Royal Red Shrimp for another seafood favorite.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for baked halibut. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

For best results, use fresh halibut. Halibut is sold at most grocery stores and fish markets. If using frozen, thaw completely.

Melted butter adds the best buttery flavor. Butter and fish pair so well together. Ghee is another great option.

In addition to the butter, minced garlic adds a great flavor. Freshly minced garlic is best, but garlic powder can be used if needed.

Paprika adds a little spice and heat. Feel free to omit entirely for a more mild flavor. Overall, this fish is not spicy at all. The paprika just adds a subtle pop of flavor.

Sea salt and pepper also add a little flavor without being overpowering. Feel free to adjust amounts to suit your taste.

Sliced lemon adds brightness, freshness and slight tartness to the fish.

Lastly, garnish with chopped parsley. It adds a little something extra to the halibut.

Fish with garlic butter

What is Halibut?

Halibut is a flat fish that can grow upwards of 9 feet long! It is actually the largest flat fish in the ocean. Both farm raised and wild caught, this healthy fish is brown on top with a white belly.

This fish is mild and slightly sweet. Its taste is most similar to tilapia. Due to its light flavor, pair halibut with more intense flavors. For this reason, this recipe includes garlic, paprika and lemon.

The name halibut means “holy flat fish”. It was very common in Catholic holy days.

Taste & Texture

This baked halibut is fresh, light, buttery and garlicky. The lemon is a subtle flavor as well.

The texture is light, flaky and tender.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Place halibut in oven safe dish.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, sea salt and black pepper. Pour this mixture over halibut.

Garlic butter in bowl
Halibut with butter

Step 4

Bake for 12 to 13 minutes or until fish is opaque and no longer transparent.

Baked halibut in pan

Step 5

Finally, remove from oven. Garnish with sliced lemon and chopped parsley if desired.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For best results, use fresh halibut. Both farm raised and wild caught are great options.

Do not skimp on the butter! The butter adds the best flavor and texture.

Likewise, do not shy away from the seasonings. Halibut is a mild tasting fish, so it requires some added flavors.

Bake until fish is opaque and no longer transparent.

Flaky fish on plate

Where to Buy

Halibut is sold in most grocery stores nationwide. Whole Foods, Central Market and HEB all carry it.

In addition, there are several online fish markets. Most of the Pacific caught halibut are harvested in Alaska. There are a couple different Alaskan fish markets who sell halibut online.

How to Serve & Store

Serve baked halibut hot and fresh from the oven. Garnish with lemon and chopped parsley.

Halibut pairs well with roasted veggies, French fries, or mashed potatoes. The classic fish and chips meal works well with halibut!

For a low carb option, pair with a side salad.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The garlic butter sauce will firm up in the fridge.

You will also love this Steelhead Trout!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cooking method for halibut?

Oven baking is a great method of cooking for halibut. Grilling and pan searing also work well.

How do you bake halibut in the oven?

Bake halibut in the oven until opaque and no longer transparent.

What temperature should halibut be baked to?

Bake halibut to 135 degrees Fahrenheit internally.

How do you cook it without drying it out?

Do not over cook halibut. This is the quickest way to dry it out. In addition, cook it in butter.

Baked halibut with sauce

You May Also Like

If you make this baked halibut recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, see these Lunch and Dinner Recipes.

Baked halibut recipe with lemon
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

Get the Recipe: Baked Halibut Recipe

This baked halibut recipe is quick, easy and so flavorful! The garlic butter sauce adds so much flavor to the flaky fish. This halibut is great for holidays, birthdays, and more!
4.98 from 216 votes
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Ingredients

2 servings
  • 1 pound halibut fillet
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • sliced lemon
  • chopped parsley

Instructions 

  • First, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place halibut in baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, sea salt and black pepper. Pour this mixture over halibut.
  • Bake for 12 to 13 minutes or until fish is opaque and no longer transparent.
  • Finally, remove from oven. Garnish with sliced lemon and chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh halibut.
  • For a larger piece of fish, increase cooking time as needed.
  • The fish is done cooking when it is no longer transparent.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 42g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 141mg, Sodium: 826mg, Potassium: 1004mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 524IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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