Baked Halibut with Lemon (Print)
Tender halibut fillets baked to perfection and drizzled with a bright, zesty lemon butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 halibut fillets (about 6 oz each), skinless
→ Lemon Butter Sauce
02 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Seasonings
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
09 - Lemon slices
10 - Extra chopped parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels. Place them in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and parsley.
04 - Brush the lemon butter mixture evenly over the halibut fillets. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
06 - Remove from the oven. Spoon any remaining sauce from the dish over the fillets. Garnish with lemon slices and extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon butter sauce creates this perfect balance between richness and acidity that makes even weeknight dinners feel special without any complicated techniques.
- Fish cooks so quickly that youll have an impressive meal on the table in under 30 minutes, which has saved me countless times when guests arrive early.
02 -
- The single biggest mistake is overcooking - halibut goes from perfect to dry in literally one minute, so set a timer and trust that it continues cooking slightly after leaving the oven.
- Letting the fish come closer to room temperature before baking (about 15 minutes on the counter) results in more even cooking and a significantly more tender final result.
03 -
- The parchment paper lining isnt just for easy cleanup - it actually creates a gentle steaming environment that helps keep the fish incredibly moist while still allowing it to brown slightly on top.
- Reserve about a tablespoon of your lemon butter mixture before putting it on the raw fish, then warm it slightly and drizzle over the finished dish for an extra layer of fresh flavor that hasnt been altered by the cooking process.