Baked Halibut with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe
This Baked Halibut with Lemon Garlic Butter is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender halibut fillets baked to perfection and topped with a rich blend of garlic, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines buttery richness with bright citrus for an irresistible seafood meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Seafood
- 2 halibut fillets (about 5 oz each)
Butter Sauce
- ½ cup salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp chopped chives
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
- 1 lemon, sliced into 2 slices and 4 wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 400ºF (200ºC) to ensure it’s hot enough to cook the halibut evenly.
- Prepare the fish: Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and remove any bones to ensure a pleasant eating experience.
- Make the lemon garlic butter: In a small saucepan or microwave, melt the salted butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, sea salt, and black pepper until the salt dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Assemble in baking dish: Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Place the halibut fillets in the dish, then spoon half of the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over each fillet. Place one lemon slice on top of each fillet to infuse citrus aroma during baking.
- Bake the halibut: Position the baking dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, adjusting the cook time based on the thickness of your fillets, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Plate the baked halibut and drizzle with the remaining garlic butter sauce. Serve with the lemon wedges on the side for additional fresh lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the halibut fillets are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Thicker fillets may require a few extra minutes in the oven; watch closely to avoid overcooking.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with olive oil, though the flavor will vary.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted or combined with dill or thyme for a different aromatic profile.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad to complement the rich butter sauce.
