... with Lemon, Chives, and Garlic!
Jump to Recipe Print RecipeHalibut is my favorite white fish, especially wild-caught from Alaska. When cooked right, it is soft and tender, and can handle a multitude of seasonings. However, that's no reason to load it up with too much. Sometimes, a simple butter, lemon, chives, and garlic is just plenty to provide a delicious Butter Baked Halibut for dinner.
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Fish is a great option for a weeknight dinner because it cooks so quickly. When time is of the essence during a busy week, fish is a timely and healthful choice. But this dish is just as appealing to serve to dinner guests! It's so tasty and beautiful.
I use the zest and the juice from the lemon for added zing, plenty of garlic, and fresh chives from my garden.
Let's talk about the chives a bit.
Chives are so easy to grow and if you only have an apartment balcony with a pot to grow it in, you certainly should. They are easy, they come back every year, and you can use the greens as well as the blossoms. At the end of the season, you can dry them and use them all winter.
Just melt the butter gently, then add the garlic and allow it to cook together for about a minute before adding the lemon juice, zest, and chopped chives.
Swirl it around and pour it over the halibut in the baking dish. Make sure to cover all of the flesh.
What do I look for when buying halibut?
Whether you are buying a whole halibut or just fillets or steaks, be sure the flesh is firm and fully white, but translucent with maybe even a little green tint to it. Avoid any halibut that has red or yellow discoloration. If it's fresh, it will smell like seawater. You can read more on how to choose fresh halibut on Quality Seafood Delivery.
How long does halibut need to bake?
This is the best news ... not long at all! It all depends on how thick the halibut is, of course, but it shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes. Be sure to baste it about halfway through to be sure the fish is still covered with the butter. If you overcook halibut, it will be dry and unpleasant so err on the side of undercooked when you take it out of the oven because it will continue cooking as it rests. It should flake easily, but still have a bit of translucence.
How to serve Butter Baked Halibut with Lemon, Chives, and Garlic
All of that delicious flavored butter is amazing soaked into rice and is my favorite thing to pair with it. Along with something green and crunchy. Sauteed Garlic Green Beans is the perfect option.
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Recipe
Butter Baked Halibut with Lemon, Chives, & Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 pound halibut fillet
- ⅓ cup butter See notes.
- 3 cloves garlic chopped small
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice from the zested lemon
- 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped chives
- Sea salt and and freshly ground pepper to season
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a baking dish and lay the halibut fillet in skin side down. Season the halibut with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic and let it cook for about a minute. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice, zest, and chives. Pour the melted butter mixture over the halibut
- Bake the fish for 10-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillet. Baste with the butter mixture after about halfway 7 minutes. At this point, also use a fork or knife to see if the fish will flake. Allow the fish to continue cooking, basting and checking again after another 5 minutes.
- When the fish flakes easily and is still a bit clear, take it out of the oven. It will keep cooking once you take it out so don't let it go too long. Err on the side of caution. You can always put it back in.
- Serve it with rice because that sauce is amazing and totally soaks into the rice. You should also have some sauteed green beans.
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