Baked Halibut Lemon Butter (Print Version)
Tender halibut fillets baked and glazed with a smooth lemon butter sauce for a light dish.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless halibut fillets, approximately 6 oz each
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Lemon Butter Sauce
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
10 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (optional)
→ Garnish
11 - Lemon slices
12 - Additional chopped parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
02 - Pat halibut fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil, then season with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Place fillets in the prepared baking dish, spacing them apart evenly.
04 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
05 - Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice, then remove saucepan from heat. Incorporate chopped parsley and dill if using.
06 - Spoon about half of the lemon butter sauce over the halibut fillets evenly.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
08 - Remove from oven, drizzle with remaining lemon butter sauce, and garnish with lemon slices and extra parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe reveals how simple ingredients can elevate a dish to elegant perfection
- The lemon butter sauce feels like a secret handshake between freshness and richness
02 -
- Patting the fish dry before seasoning is essential to get that perfect crust
- Skip browning the garlic to avoid bitterness; its gentle aroma is what you want
03 -
- Use room temperature butter for the sauce to blend flavors smoothly
- Spoon sauce over the fish multiple times during baking for layers of flavor