Pan-Seared Halibut in Butter Garlic Sauce and Easy Salsa

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This Pan-Seared Halibut in Butter Garlic Sauce and Easy Salsa Recipe coated in lemon butter sauce and topped with a salsa makes this a delicious combination and one of my favorite easy dinner recipes. The healthy, vibrant, and golden brown fish fillets are the highlight of our family dinner. With a squeezed lemon wedge added, there’s no holding me back from enjoying this dinner!

A seared piece of halibut on a white plate with salsa on top.

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What is Halibut fish?

Halibut is a species of flatfish that’s a source of high-quality protein, rich in magnesium, niacin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, B vitamins, and Phosphorus. It’s a mild fish that tends to be dry so you can smother it in lemon-butter sauces improve its taste and retain its moisture.

If it’s your first time cooking it you may think it’s a difficult fish but the searing technique makes it easy. It has a crispy crust and you can serve it beside your favorite starchy side and veggie.

The yummy halibut is my kids’ favorite fish so of course I like to feed them the most nutritious meals with their favorite foods. There’s no fish recipe more loved by kids!

This cooking process is quick and overall this easy recipe can be made with a little lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. I love cooking and eating salmon, but halibut is my favorite type of fish. It’s versatile and is a soft, light, creamy, yet firm mild white fish with a delicious light flavor and excellent texture.

Why you’ll find this fabulous recipe irresistible:

The delicious fish is super fancy making it perfect for special occasions or a restaurant-worthy dinner at home.
The nice crust contrasts with the soft halibut to make this pan-seared fish a treat not only for your taste buds but for your mouth in texture. Once that golden crust forms, you know you’ll have a tasty fish.
The fish cooks in a couple of minutes while you put together the salsa making this an easy weeknight dinner. The garlic butter halibut fish recipe is a quick one-pot or rather in this case one-pan meal.
The flavorful sauce may be the best part of cooking halibut. It’s delicious and keeps the whole fish nice and hydrated.
It’s kid-friendly, diet-friendly, filling, and satisfying.
When served with flavorful and colorful salsa, it’s everything you need for a perfect dinner. This halibut dish will fly off of the table because it’s a crowd favorite.

Key Ingredients for the Pan-Fried Halibut Fish Recipe

Fresh Halibut fillets: This is the star ingredient in the recipe. Make sure it’s the best. The flesh of the halibut steaks should be firm and vibrant in color, not dull, milky, or mushy.

Sea salt and black pepper: To spice it up and season it well.

Fresh Lemons: Seafood and lemon are a match made in heaven. The juice adds citrus notes that you can’t go without!

Garlic: Adds a depth of flavor and pairs well with the lemon juice.

Olive oil: Needed to cook the halibut in the skillet.

Unsalted butter: Adds a buttery flavor and helps to make sure the halibut doesn’t get dry.

What do you need to make salsa?

Juicy tomatoes: For flavor and texture.

Red onion: Compliments the tanginess of tomatoes and the brightness of lemon juice.

Fresh cilantro: Adds a pop of color to the dish and a fresh herb boost.

Garlic: For sharp depth of flavor.

Avocado: It should be ripe, but still a little bit firm so that it holds the shape when you mix it with the other ingredients.

Lemon juice: The lemon juice adds a zesty and fresh flavor to the rest of the ingredients.

Sea salt and black pepper: For seasoning.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to Make the Pan-Seared Halibut in Butter Garlic Sauce and Easy Salsa

Step 1: Prepare the fish

Using a paper towel, pat dry the room-temperature halibut to remove as much liquid as possible. Then cut the halibut into fillets.

halibut-on-a-white-plate-with-a-paper-towel-on-it

Step 2: Combine the sauce ingredients

In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, lemon juice, and garlic.

garlic-seasonings-in-a-white-bowl-with-a-spoon

Step 3: Marinade the fish

Generously rub the lemon and garlic butter sauce on both sides of the halibut.

Step 4: Pan-sear the halibut

Heat the olive oil and butter in a nonstick large skillet over medium-high heat. Add halibut filets to the hot pan. Sear for 4 minutes until golden, then when the first side is nice and fork tender, turn the fillets over and sear the other side for another 4-5 minutes or until the fish reaches your desired doneness.

halibut-filets-sauteing-in-a-black-skillet

Step 5: Prepare the salsa

While halibut is cooking, make the salsa by combining the ingredients.

Step 6: Finish off and serve

Add a spoonful of salsa on top of the fish, serve the halibut dish, and enjoy!

halibut-with-salsa-on-a-white-plate-on-a-wooden-board-with-a-fork-on-the-side

Expert Tips

For the best result don’t crowd the fish in the nonstick skillet pan. If you do, the fish won’t turn out crispy.
You can use a digital thermometer to test for doneness. Once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, the Halibut is done!
If possible, use equal-sized fillets to promote even cooking.
When pan-searing the fish, make sure the pan is hot when you place the fish to seal in the natural juices and sear the exterior. Then, reduce the heat to low (if necessary) and finish cooking the halibut.
Adding more herbs is a personal preference. Feel free to add chives or parsley for a pop of color and a fresh, earthy taste.
If the fillets are thinner, reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking the fish. It continues to cook a little after you remove it from the pan.

How to Store Leftover Pan-seared Halibut?

Store leftover halibut fish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
If you want to freeze the halibut, put the fillet in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then put the whole baking sheet in a freezer. Transfer the fillets to freezer-safe plastic bags once they’ve been frozen.

Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute halibut for salmon in a recipe?

You sure can, and I do it all the time. Whatever kind of fish is fresh and wild-caught at the grocery store in season is what I cook with. The same recipe can be done using any other fish fillet like Salmon, Striped Bass, Flounder, or Fluke.

What can l serve with this easy halibut recipe?

This is a complete meal on its own. However, you can add starch such as cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes to make it more filling.

halibut-with-salsa-on-a-white-plate-on-a-wooden-board-with-a-fork

Here are More Fish recipes to try out

This One Pan Oven Baked Fish with Vegetables and Spices is a perfect family meal with a great combination of vegetables and animal protein.
Enjoy this Simple Traditional Herring Salad with Layered Vegetables which is a a beautiful, scrumptious, filling, and vibrant dish.
Try the Easy and Simple Crab Salad Appetizer Snack for summer, game day, lunch, or the holidays.

Other Seafood Recipes to Make

If you tried this Pan-Seared Halibut in Butter Garlic Sauce and Easy Salsa or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!