Grilled Halibut with Lemon and Herbs
By Sarah O'Neill
Grilled Halibut with Lemon and Herbs
Perfectly charred wild halibut with a bright lemon-herb marinade — summer grilling at its absolute finest.
Halibut's firm, meaty texture makes it the best white fish for grilling — it holds together beautifully over high heat and develops gorgeous char marks without falling apart. A quick lemon-herb marinade is all the enhancement this premium wild fish needs. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the exterior while keeping the interior succulent and moist. This is what outdoor cooking was meant to be.
Ingredients
- 4 wild Alaskan halibut portions (6 oz each)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make marinade: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, oregano, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- Marinate: Pat halibut dry and place in the marinade. Turn to coat both sides. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (or refrigerate up to 1 hour). Don't over-marinate — the acid will start to "cook" the fish.
- Preheat grill: Heat grill to high (450-500°F). Clean grates thoroughly and oil them well — this is critical for preventing sticking.
- Grill: Place halibut on the grill, presentation side down. Cook 4-5 minutes without moving until grill marks are visible and the fish releases easily. Flip carefully and cook another 4-5 minutes until opaque throughout (145°F internal).
- Rest: Transfer to a plate and let rest 2 minutes. The residual heat finishes cooking the center gently.
- Serve: Plate with lemon wedges. Drizzle with any remaining marinade from the dish. Fresh herbs make a beautiful garnish.
Chef's Tips
- The #1 rule for grilling fish: hot grill, clean grates, oiled surface. This trifecta prevents sticking every time.
- Don't move the fish for the first 4 minutes. It will naturally release from the grates when it's ready to flip.
- If you don't have a grill, a cast iron grill pan over high heat gives excellent results indoors.
- Halibut continues cooking after you remove it from heat, so pull it off when the center is still slightly translucent.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 220 | Protein: 38g | Fat: 6g | Carbs: 1g | Omega-3: 500mg
Made with: Wild Alaskan Halibut Portions
Learn more: Grilling Guide for Wild Seafood |
Wild Seafood Health Benefits
If you want to go deeper than the recipe: