Garlic Butter Halibut Recipe

Light, flakey, and moist, you are going to love this Garlic Butter Halibut Recipe. It’s pan-seared to perfection and topped with a rich garlic butter sauce—a quick and delicious weeknight dinner you’ll love!

 

I love pan-searing halibut for weeknight dinners—it comes together so quickly and easily, making busy nights feel stress-free. If you’ve tried my cod recipe, baked salmon, baked tilapia, or rainbow trout recipe, you’re going to love this recipe too. It’s packed with the same delicious garlic butter flavors as the others!

Key Ingredients to Make This Halibut Recipe

Halibut Fish – After making this recipe so many times, I’ve found that Pacific halibut and wild-caught types are the best for their firm, flaky texture and clean, mild flavor. They’re also more sustainable. When buying fresh halibut, look for white, glossy flesh. For frozen fillets, avoid those with dried-out edges for the best quality.

Seasoning – I use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to season my halibut. After testing different combinations, I’ve found this blend strikes the perfect balance of savory and aromatic. For an extra kick, I add red pepper for some heat.

Butter – Unsalted butter is essential here because we’re already seasoning with salt. After experimenting with both salted and unsalted butter, I’ve found that unsalted gives me more control over the final taste.

Garlic Cloves – I always use fresh garlic for a stronger, richer flavor. I’ve found that fresh garlic really infuses the butter with depth, aroma, and a natural kick that brings the dish to life.

Fresh Rosemary – Fresh rosemary is perfect for garnish, adding a fragrant, earthy touch to the dish. If you don’t have fresh rosemary, you can substitute with other fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill for a different twist.

How to Cook Halibut

1. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Pat the white fish dry with a paper towel and season both sides of the fish with the dried spices.

2. Place the fillets in a large cast-iron skillet and turn the heat to medium heat. Cook it for 3-4 minutes (cooking time will depend on the size of your fillets).

3. Using a turner, flip your halibut fillets over to cook the other side. It’s cooked when it flakes easily with a fork or reaches the temperature of 118ºF. Set aside once it’s cooked.

4. Reduce the heat to low and add butter to the skillet. Melt the butter and then, add garlic. Saute for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Add the fish back to the pan and spoon the sauce over the fillets. You might have to tilt the pan a bit.

5. Garnish this pan fried fish recipe with fresh rosemary or fresh parsley. You can also garnish it with lemon zest. 

What to Serve with:

This pan seared halibut recipe pairs well with an array of delicious sides. Try rice, cucumber salad and mashed potatoes for savory flavors that complement the fish.

For variety, consider air fryer asparagus, air fryer green beans and roasted sweet potato, each adding unique tastes and textures to enhance your halibut recipe.