Grilled Halibut Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Olive oil: I love the flavor of this delicious oil. If you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic has the best flavor.
• Lemon zest: When you zest the lemon, use only the yellow part of the peel and avoid the white part, which can be bitter.
• To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ground cumin.
• Halibut fillets: Skin-on or skin-off. Both work, although personally, I love the skin on fish.

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and spices.

Coat the fish fillets all over with the olive oil mixture. You can use a pastry brush or your hands.

Grill the halibut over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side, then lower the heat to medium and keep cooking until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, about 2 more minutes per side.

When the fish is done, the outside will be browned, and the inside will be white and opaque but moist. It shouldn't be dry:

Expert Tip

There are two reliable ways to prevent excessive charring when grilling fish: being vigilant about keeping the grill from getting too hot and turning the fish often while it cooks.

You can see in the photo below that when the fish is ready, it's nicely browned on the outside but not overly charred:

Do you remove the skin before grilling?

Halibut fillets usually come with the skin off. But if you're fortunate enough to have skin on your fish, keep it on! Crispy halibut skin is delicious.

Should I flip the fish on the grill?

Yes. To ensure even cooking, you should grill the fish for 2 minutes per side over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and keep cooking until it's cooked through, about 2 more minutes per side.

Is lemon zest the yellow or white part of the peel?

Lemon zest is the outside, yellow part of its peel. The inner peel, which is white in color, is bitter, so you should avoid it when you zest the lemon.

Can you make this recipe with fish other than halibut?

Yes. Halibut is suitable for grilling because of its firm texture. But any firm-fleshed white fish will work as long as it's thick enough. Cod is a good option and is more affordable than halibut.

Serving Suggestions

Grilled halibut is a versatile main course that goes with many sides. I usually serve it with any of the following side dishes:

• Mashed cauliflower
• Sauteed green beans
• Creamed spinach
• Grilled broccolini
• Zucchini noodles
• Cabbage pancakes
• Roasted leeks
• Vegetable kabobs

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to three days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power.

Grilled Halibut Recipe

Warm spices, including paprika and cumin, add wonderful color and flavor to this grilled halibut.

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 320kcal

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 374mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g