This recipe for baked halibut is a quick and fancy dinner that is easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough for a dinner party. Italian-style seasoning, lemon, and fresh dill bring a distinctly Mediterranean flavor–think coastal Greek-Italian. It’s baked in the oven for an easy fish recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes!.
I grew up on the coast, where fish is a big (and loved!) part of the Mediterranean diet. It doesn’t take much to convince me to like halibut that is baked, poached, or cooked on a sheet pan with vegetables.
But this simple halibut recipe is great for fish lovers and people who don’t like fish. Halibut is a mild fish that can take on any flavor you give it. Though it tastes a little sweet and meaty, it’s not at all “fishy.” If you cook it right, it stays very tender.
Second, I take a more savory and less briny approach here. I season it just like you might chicken, with pungent garlic powder and aromatic Italian seasoning. In the last few minutes, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of dill lift the salty taste of the flaky roast fish, making it truly irresistible.
Plus, halibut is low in fat and high in protein. It is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Finally, if you want to save money, this recipe works well for any mild-flavored white fish.
Halibut is a delicious and healthy fish that takes beautifully to oven cooking. Baking halibut allows you to highlight its mild, sweet flavor with aromatic spices, herbs, and citrus. When done right, the fillets come out tender and flaky on the inside with a lovely golden crust.
Cooking halibut in the oven helps ensure it stays nice and moist unlike cooking over high direct heat which tends to dry out fish. With a few simple tricks you’ll learn how to bake halibut so it turns out succulent and delicious every time.
Choosing Halibut for Baking
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Look for fresh, sashimi-grade halibut fillets at the fish market or grocery store seafood counter. Don’t buy frozen.
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Choose fillets that are translucent white and glistening, without any browning.
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Smell the fish to check for freshness – it should smell like the ocean, not fishy or sour.
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Plan on 4-6 oz of halibut per serving. Buy 1⁄2 to 1 lb total per person.
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Halibut is expensive, so substitute another mild white fish like cod, haddock, or tilapia.
Seasoning and Preparing the Halibut
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Pat the fillets dry with paper towels before seasoning.
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Brush both sides with olive oil This helps the fish bake up tender and moist,
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Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper. Go easy on the salt since halibut is naturally briny.
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Coat with desired herbs and spices, Lemon-herb or Mediterranean flavors work well
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Let the seasoned fillets sit 5-10 minutes so the flavors permeate before baking.
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If the fillets have skin, place them skin-side down on the baking sheet.
Baking Directions for Halibut
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked halibut:
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Preheat oven – Heat to 400°F to quickly bake the fish through.
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Prep baking sheet – Line with parchment paper or foil and brush with oil to prevent sticking.
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Bake – Place fillets skin-side down if applicable. Bake for 8-12 minutes until fish flakes easily.
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Rest – Let sit 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
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Check for doneness – Halibut should be opaque throughout when fully cooked.
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Avoid overbaking – Check early and often to prevent drying out.
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Add veggies (optional) – Roast cherry tomatoes, diced potatoes, or summer squash alongside.
Handy Tips for Baked Halibut
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Brush fillets with mayonnaise instead of olive oil for extra browning and moisture.
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Add slices of lemon, lime, or orange on top for bright flavor.
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Bake on a cedar plank for presentation and subtle woodsy aroma.
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Broil the last 1-2 minutes for crisper top browning if desired.
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Stuff the cavity of whole halibut with herbs and citrus slices before baking.
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Microwave or roast garlic and mash into softened butter. Spread over fish before baking.
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Top with Parmesan, feta, or panko breadcrumbs for crunchy roasted texture.
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Roast at a high temp until just done, then switch to low temp if you need to keep it warm.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mishaps when baking halibut:
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Overcooking – Check early and often. Halibut goes from perfect to dry and chewy quickly.
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Baking too hot – Above 450°F overcooks the exterior before the center cooks through.
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Uneven cooking – Use fillets of similar thickness so they cook at the same rate.
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Letting sit too long – The fish continues to cook off the heat. Serve immediately or it may dry out.
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Using frozen fish – Thawing causes moisture loss, so always bake fresh fish.
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Insufficient seasoning – Halibut is bland without enough herbs, citrus, spices, salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Baked halibut pairs nicely with:
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Fresh herbs – Dill, parsley, cilantro, basil, mint
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Citrus – Lemon, lime, orange
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Veggies – Asparagus, green beans, tomatoes
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Roasted potatoes or rice
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Salsa, chimichurri, or compound butter
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A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc
Now that you know how to bake halibut to tender, flaky perfection, here are some full recipe ideas to try:
Simple Lemon Baked Halibut
Coat halibut fillets with mayonnaise and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Top with lemon slices and fresh dill. Bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes until flaky.
Mediterranean Herb Crusted Halibut
Brush fillets with olive oil then coat with a blend of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, parsley, and lemon zest. Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
Parmesan and Panko Baked Halibut
Brush fillets with mayo and coat with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Mist with olive oil spray. Bake at 425°F about 10 minutes.
Baked Halibut with Garlic Butter
Roast halved garlic cloves in olive oil until softened. Mash into room temperature butter with lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Spread onto halibut and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Foolproof Method for Oven Baked Halibut
Preparing halibut fillets with olive oil, herbs, and citrus then baking in a 400°F oven until just cooked through results in a tender, flaky fish that’s hard to overcook. Avoid common mistakes like overbaking, using frozen fish, and insufficient seasoning for the best results.
The mild, sweet flavor of fresh halibut is delightful on its own but also pairs beautifully with a variety of seasonings. Now that you know exactly how to bake halibut to juicy perfection, you can enjoy this healthy fish any night of the week.
What to Serve with Baked Halibut
I like this halibut as part of a big healthy spread with plenty of color and texture. This Greek Green Bean Salad or Lemon Garlic Sautéed Asparagus are both simple vegetable sides that go well with fish and are easy to make.
A Greek cucumber tomato salad with a starch like couscous or rice would be a lovely summer meal when tomatoes are at their best. In the cooler months, citrus season and fish are a great match Serve with fresh fennel orange salad. And if you’re a condiment person, try a spoonful of olive tapenade or chermoula.
How to Cook Halibut
This halibut recipe is easy: just season fish and bake in the oven until it’s just cooked through. The only thing to watch out for is overcooking as the fish will become dry. Here’s the best way to cook halibut so it stays tender and juicy:
- Get ready. Warm your oven up to 425°F and put a rack in the middle of it. Spread a thin layer of olive oil on a sheet pan.
- Season the fish. Slice the halibut fillet into 4 equal pieces. Put ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt and pepper on top of the whole thing. Then add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes. Arrange on the prepared sheet pan.
- Roast. Drizzle the fish with extra virgin olive oil. Place thin slices of half of the lemon on top of the fish. Set the other half of the lemon aside for now. For 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fish is flaky when you touch it with a fork, bake it on the middle rack of a hot oven.
- Finish and serve. Take the fish out of the oven and squeeze the rest of the lemon over it. Sprinkle on the dill and serve immediately.
BAKED HALIBUT | my favorite 15-minute halibut recipe
How to cook halibut in oven?
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, dill, parsley, chives, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic. Arrange the halibut fillets in a stoneware baking dish, with space between them. Use paper towels to pat them dry. Brush the fish on both sides with the olive oil mixture.
How do you cook halibut filets?
Lightly spray a casserole dish or sheet pan with cooking oil. Remove the filets from their packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place halibut into the baking dish. Drizzle part of the garlic butter over the halibut filets.
How to cook halibut fillets in a crock pot?
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, dill, parsley, chives, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic. Arrange the halibut fillets in a stoneware baking dish, with space between them. Use paper towels to pat them dry. Brush the fish on both sides with the olive oil mixture. Season both sides with sea salt and black pepper.
How long does it take to bake halibut?
The amount of time it takes to bake halibut depends on two factors: the temperature of the fish going into the oven, and the size of the filets. The thickness of your fillet plays a big role in how long it will take to be considered fully cooked. For this reason, the exact baking time can be somewhat of a challenge to nail down.