Broiled Halibut with Garlic Butter
By Owen Olsson-O'Neill
Broiled Halibut with Garlic Butter
Five minutes of prep, ten minutes under the broiler, and you have restaurant-quality halibut with a rich garlic compound butter.
Wild Alaskan halibut is the undisputed king of white fish — firm, meaty, and clean-tasting with a subtle sweetness. The intense heat of the broiler creates a gorgeous golden crust on the outside while keeping the interior moist and flaky. A simple garlic compound butter melts over the top as it broils, creating a built-in sauce that needs nothing else. This is the fastest path to halibut perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 wild Alaskan halibut portions (6 oz each)
- 3 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make garlic butter: Combine softened butter, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Prep the broiler: Position oven rack 6 inches from the heating element. Set broiler to high. Line a broiler-safe pan with foil.
- Season halibut: Pat halibut portions completely dry. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place on the prepared pan.
- Add butter: Spread about 2 teaspoons of garlic butter on top of each halibut portion.
- Broil: Broil for 8-10 minutes, without flipping, until the top is golden brown and the fish is opaque throughout. Internal temperature should reach 145°F.
- Serve: Transfer to plates. Spoon any melted garlic butter from the pan over the fish. Serve with lemon wedges.
Chef's Tips
- The #1 key to broiling fish: pat it completely dry. Any moisture on the surface creates steam instead of the golden crust you want.
- Don't walk away from the broiler — the difference between perfectly golden and burnt is about 60 seconds.
- Make extra garlic compound butter and keep it in the freezer. It's incredible on steaks, vegetables, and bread too.
- Halibut is a lean fish, so the compound butter adds needed moisture and richness. Don't skip it.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 260 | Protein: 36g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 1g | Omega-3: 500mg
Made with: Wild Alaskan Halibut Portions
Learn more: Cooking Guide for Wild Seafood |
Wild Seafood Health Benefits
If you want to go deeper than the recipe: