Flaky, savory, zesty, and buttery Parmesan Lemon-Herb Baked Halibut is the perfect weeknight dish. Takes only 15 minutes to cook and takes even less time to prep. Saving you time and energy during your busy week.
(Original post date March 29, 2017 / Links and post updated September. 26, 2021)
Halibut, the yummy delightful white fish that some consider being the steak of the fish world. You can find it, nowadays, at any local grocery store, but let’s be honest fish can be tricky to cook.
When I first splurged and bought halibut, I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. I placed it in the oven and it smelled great couldn’t wait to dig in. We sat down to eat it was super dry… it felt like a mouth full of sandpaper. Money Wasted!! Kitchen Fail!!
How to Cook Melt in Your Mouth Fish
Fish, like any protein, depends on size, thickness, and type. If it is a thicker filet it will take longer than a thinner filet. If it is cut into smaller pieces it will cook faster than a big chunk. It is important to note if you are making more than one filet you want them to be roughly the same size and thickness.
Fish is like any other protein thickness, size and type do matter when it comes to cooking time.
The first step to making a flaky tender fish is to make sure the fish is fresh. If you buy it in the frozen food section make sure to check the expiration date. When buy it fresh from the meat department here are a few things to check to make sure the fish is fresh:
Raw fish is only good in your fridge for 2 days. When thawing out frozen fish remove it from the packaging (the main pack and the individual wrappings) set them flat on a plate, cover, and allow them to thaw in your fridge for 24 hours.
There are several ways to cook your fish and each one of these have different cooking times:
- Bake: This process takes approximately 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray a shallow baking dish or baking sheet with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper. Season your fish as you desire, and bake.
- Pan Fry: This process takes approximately 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish (4-5 minutes per side). Heat 1/4-inch of oil or butter in a skillet over medium/medium-high heat. Fry fish on one side then flip and fry on the other.
- Pan Broil: Best method for thicker fish. This process takes approximately 8 minutes per inch of thickness. Spray a shallow baking dish or baking sheet with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper. Season your fish as you desire, and bake.
- Grill: Best method for thicker fish. This process takes approximately 8-16 minutes per inch of thickness (4-8 minutes per side). Prepare your grill. Brush grill grate generously with oil. Lay fish on the grill rack in a single layer and grill.
- Poach: This process takes approximately 8-10 minutes for fillets or 15-20 minutes for a whole fish. Lay fish in a pot or pan, pour just enough liquid in the pot to cover the fish. Cover the pot or pan tightly and cook the fish just below the boiling point.
- Deep Fry: Best method for 1/2 inch thick fish. This process takes approximately 3-5 minutes per inch of thickness. Heat enough oil to 350-375°F to allow the fish to float once it’s done. Cut thicker fish into smaller chunks so fish will cook in the time it takes to brown. After frying drain the fish on a paper towel before serving.
Testing if the fish is done is something most of us overthink. It is as easy as taking a fork poking the fish and if need be giving it a little twist.
- If it doesn’t flake apart easily then it needs to cook a little longer
- If it flakes easily and is still glistening then it is, melt in your mouth ready.
- If it is flaky and dry sorry to say you overcooked it. That is why I always recommend, despite the cooking directions, is to check your fish every few minutes.
How to Make Lemon-Herb Baked Halibut
- In a medium mixing dish combine mayonnaise, butter, salt, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, parmesan cheese, and pepper. I know mayo sounds weird, but it gives it some moisture and the acids in the mayo help keep it tender. Plus it is a binder for all the other flavor goodies.
- Lay Halibut fillet in cast iron skillet. Spread the mayonnaise mixture over the top of each halibut fillet.
- Place Halibut in the oven and turn oven to broil. I never turn on the broiler before I put the fish in the oven. I want it to gradually warm up so I don’t get that white foamy stuff on the fish (that occurs when the fish is cooked too fast and too hot)
- Allow halibut to cook under broiler for 10-12 minutes, or until halibut flakes easily with a fork, and the top is golden brown. I recommend testing the fish starting at the 5-minute mark and every 2 minutes after that to ensure you don’t overcook your fillets.
Fish can be a very intermitting thing to cook. Many fear overcooking it or undercooking it. Others fear that their house will smell for days. But the truth is a healthy fish dinner can be simple and smell-free as long as you remember the tips and tricks in this post.
So next time you want to serve up a healthy flaky, savory, zesty, and buttery fish dinner. Face your fears and grab this quick 15 minute Parmesan Lemon-Herb Baked Halibut and wow your family!
Want to make this complete Buttery Parmesan Lemon-Herb Baked Halibut 30 minute meal? Check out Garden Veggie Farro and Simple Salt and Pepper Asparagus recipes.
More Weeknight Dinner
FAQ and Tips
Common Questions that get asked about the recipe, and tips to save you time and money.
- Is there a better time to buy halibut?
Here in the lower 48, there is no good or bad time to buy halibut. Most of the halibut you will buy here in the lower United States comes in frozen from Alaska. However, the peak fishing season for halibut up in Alaska is mid-May through mid-September. - Can you prep and freeze Lemon Herb Halibut for a later date?
It is never a good idea to thaw out fish to prep it just to refreeze it. There is a risk of food poisoning due to extra bacteria that could form. - How do I heat up the leftovers?
Heating up leftover fish is always tricky. I recommend heating it up in the microwave 30 seconds at a time just until it is lukewarm, but keep in mind that the fish will have a drier texture than the first time you cooked it (there is no way to avoid it unless you eat it cold).
Recipe for Buttery Parmesan Lemon-Herb Baked Halibut
Buttery Parmesan Lemon Herb Baked Halibut
Ingredients
- 2 lb skinless halibut fillets
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ⅛ tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a medium mixing dish combine mayonnaise, butter, salt, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, parmesan cheese, and pepper.
- Lay Halibut fillet in cast iron skillet. Spread the mixture from the mixing bowl over the top of the halibut.
- Place Halibut in the oven and turn oven to broil. If you are able to choose between high and low broil it really depends on the thickness of your halibut fillet. If it is smaller than 1 inch I recommend low broil, if it is 1 inch thick or more then use high broil.
- Allow halibut to cook for 10-12 minutes, or until halibut flakes easily with a fork, and the top is golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly (1 minute) serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Looks so good! I am a huge fan of fish and I love that you included the sides you paired it with, that meal looks delicious.
Thank you, soo much!! I am thinking about keeping the side pairing going (was just doing it for holiday dishes) it works well!! Hope you are having a great day!!
Yummy! I have been looking for ways to incorporate more fish in my diet and this is a great option. I also would have never thought to use a little mayo, but I’m excited to try it. Pinned!
At first, I thought cooked mayo? Really!?! But! It works to bind all the thing you mix together to the fish, a little goes a long way, don’t mound it on top just a little spread will do! Thank you for the Pin. Hope you are having a wonderful day!
This looks so insanely delicious and I barely even eat fish!
xo, Helene
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Thank you… that was my goal to trick you into thinking it was chicken!! LOL
Looks so good!!! I should give it a try.
Thank you
oh i am with you here. I rarely cook fish for this same reason! It’s so hard. I’ve never tried your broiler method, but I am sold! Cannot wait to try this, plus halibut is my fav! thanks!
The broiler method with the fork verification works every time, and it’s faster!! Yeah, I love fish but sandpaper dinners not so much, glad I learned how to cook! lol Hope you have a wonderful evening1
This looks amazing and I can’t believe how fast it takes! I’m always looking for easy, fast, but also tasty recipes!
I do think we would all eat healthier if there were only 12 extra hours in a day! Who really has time to cook? The faster is always better in my book!! Hope you have a great night and enjoy the recipe!
I need to try this. My husband loves fish, and this looks easy enough to make for a beginner like me!
It is perfect for beginners, the side dished listed are just as simple…well maybe even easier!! Your husband will love it!!
This looks absolutely amazing, wow!
Thank you so much!!
Ive never cooked halibut myself, but you make it seem simple & sound delicious : ) Youve inspiring me to try this recipe, Pinned for later!
Aww thank you, you are too sweet!! Thank you for the pin and I will do my best to keep inspiring you!
Looks so good! I’m gonna have to add halibut to my grocery list!
Well, I hope you found some for a reasonable price!! Thank you so much!! Hope your having a wonderful weekend!
I love fish, but I have never tried halibut before! This looks amazing! Will have to try!
You will not regret it halibut is amazing and it is not fishy at all!! I hope you do try it and enjoy!!
I LOVE fish so much, this sounds so delicious!
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style
Thank you!! I love fish too, if I wasn’t married to my husband I would probably only eat seafood, but he is a meat and potatoes guy!! LOL
Looks delicious! One of my favorite fish is Halibut and I always try to find new ways to make it. Thanks for the yummy recipe!
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Thank you for the sweet comment! You are most certainly welcome!! Halibut is delightful, such a treat!!
I love this, so much yum, and seems easy to make!
It is one of my go-to weeknight meals if I have halibut on hand. Simple and quick and absolutely yummy!! Thank you! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!
Love this recipe. I am going to give it a try today. I am always very nervous when I cook fish. Either it taste fishy or too plain.
Thank you for your kind words! Oh, I know what you mean!! Fishy Fish is just as bad as over cooked sandpaper fish, but sometimes I am afraid of over seasoning! I hope it worked out for you, I always love to hear feedback.
I’m trying to include more fish in my diet, and this recipe looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing, I’m really looking forward to trying this recipe soon.
I’m glad I could help!! I love fish too and we are trying to include more in our diets as well. Let me know what you thick, I love feed back!!
I am also trying fish n bought halibut… can anything be substituted for the cast iron to cook it in?
Yes of course! I just prefer cast iron and recommend it because it gives even heat all around and is easy clean up!
What is the next best thing to cast iron? Guess that should have been in my question ?
In this case, a cookie sheet or baking sheet will do the trick. I do recommend lining it with parchment paper or spraying it generously with nonstick cooking spray. Fish has a tendency to stick to pans.
I will definately try this! My husband swears by loooove salmon and it’s all I make! Maybe this will open his eyes and stomach lol.
Thank you!! Don’t blame your husband Salmon is great, I love it, always have it on hand!! But! sometimes you gotta try something new, be daring!! Hope you and your husband are having a great weekend!
This sounds so incredibly yummy!! <3 I MUST try it!!
Thank you so much!!
This sounds delicious! I love halibut because it’s a meatier fish and will hold up to breading better than lighter, flakier fish. This is a dish I think my whole family would like.
Thank you so much! That is exactly why I love halibut it’s just so meaty, and not fishy at all, you can use it so many ways!
Do you set the broiler to high or low
Hi Meghan, for this recipe I set my broiler on high. If you have a halibut fillet that is less than an inch thick though I would do it on low. Thank you for pointing that out I’m going to add it to the recipe!! Hope you have a great day