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15 Easy Halibut Recipes

Lemon-Caper Pan-Seared Halibut Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 halibut fillets (6 oz each)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 tbsp capers, drained
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds

Method
 

  1. Pat the halibut fillets dry, season with 1 tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper, heat 2 tbsp neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high, and sear the fish for 4 to 5 minutes per side until it reaches 130°F (54°C) internally. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, and swirl until the butter foams and turns amber-brown with a nutty smell, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add 2 cloves minced garlic to the pan and stir for 30 seconds, then add 3 tbsp capers and 3 tbsp lemon juice, scrape up the browned bits, and stir in the remaining 1 tbsp butter until the sauce is glossy, about 1 minute.
  4. Return the fillets to the pan for 30 seconds to warm through, transfer to plates, spoon the caper-butter sauce over each fillet, scatter 2 tbsp chopped parsley on top, and serve with fresh lemon rounds.

Notes

This dish waits for no one, so have your sides ready before the fish goes in the pan. The sauce comes together quickly once the fish is done, and halibut cools faster than most proteins. If your fillets vary in thickness, start the thicker ones 1 to 2 minutes ahead so everything finishes at the same time.