Print

Crispy Pan-Seared Halibut Recipe Perfect for Easy Lemon Butter Dinner

crispy pan-seared halibut - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy pan-seared halibut recipe featuring crispy skin and a luscious lemon butter sauce, perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 halibut fillets, skin-on, about 6 oz (170 g) each
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the halibut dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a 10-12 inch skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking. (3 minutes)
  3. Place the fillets skin-side down in the hot pan. Press gently with a spatula for 10-15 seconds to prevent curling. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. (5 minutes)
  4. Flip the fillets carefully and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Spoon melted butter over the fish as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes until opaque and flakes easily. (4 minutes)
  5. In a small bowl, combine remaining butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Warm gently in the pan off heat until butter melts and garlic softens, about 1 minute. (3 minutes)
  6. Transfer fish to plates and spoon lemon butter sauce generously over the top. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. (2 minutes)

Notes

Patting the fish dry is essential for crispy skin. Use a hot pan but avoid smoking oil. Press fillets gently to prevent curling. Add butter after flipping to avoid burning. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Stir lemon butter sauce off heat to keep garlic from burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: halibut, pan-seared fish, lemon butter sauce, quick dinner, crispy fish skin, easy seafood recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-pan-seared-halibut-recipe-perfect-for-easy-lemon-butter-dinner/