Grilled Halibut Recipe With Lemon and Herbs

Grilled halibut is a marinated white fish cooked on a grill. Halibut has a mild, sweet flavor, with firm-textured white flesh that becomes opaque when cooked. Cooks grill halibut typically until just opaque all the way through. Marinades for grilling halibut often include acids, like lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar, plus olive oil, spices, and fresh herbs.

Halibut are flatfish—fish that have both eyes on one side of their body and live on the ocean floor. The name halibut can actually refer to any flatfish of the order Pleuronectiformes, but most of the commercially available halibut is Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). It’s found on both sides of the North Pacific, but eighty percent of the catch comes from Alaska, which is why it’s also known as Alaskan halibut.

Follow these easy steps to make the perfect grilled halibut:

1. 1. Clean the grill. Halibut has a delicate flavor profile, so it’s essential to cook the fish on a clean surface to prevent unwanted flavors. When it’s time to cook, brush the grill grates with a high-heat neutral oil to keep the halibut from sticking to the grill.
2. 2. Dry the halibut. Pat the halibut dry before cooking to ensure it develops a crispy brown crust. (This is also a vital step in grilling scallops, swordfish, and other seafood.)
3. 3. Prepare any toppings. Halibut fish cooks quickly, so it’s essential to have everything ready for serving before you cook the fish. To add flavor, you can marinate the halibut steaks in a fresh lemon juice and herb dressing for up to thirty minutes before cooking. If you don’t have lemon, you can substitute it with other acids like lime juice or a splash of vinegar. For extra umami, try adding some soy sauce to the marinade.
4. 4. Grill the halibut. Season with salt and pepper just before grilling. Sear the halibut on the grill for about four minutes per side.
5. 5. Check for doneness. You will know halibut is done when it is browned in spots on the outside and still slightly pink on the inside. A thermometer will read 145 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted at the thickest point.