Pan-seared halibut, cooked in a non-stick skillet and gently steam finished with a splash of white wine, makes for an easy and flavorful dinner. A simple lemon caper vinaigrette elevates the dish, doubling as a light and tangy sauce. You’ll have a healthy, delicious meal ready in minutes. If you love fish but feel intimidated by cooking it at home, this foolproof technique will change your mind. I'll show you how easy it is!
It’s winter and the Alaskan halibut I love is still months away from availability, so I’m cooking with fresh local halibut. These pearly white filets are thinner and smaller than their Alaskan cousins, but still delicious and definitely more affordable. This has become my “go-to” recipe for a fast fish dinner. I’ve probably made it five times in the past few weeks, for the two of us and dinner guests as well.
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Why You'll Like This Recipe
- It's an easy, healthy dinner.
- A simple way to cook fish that's practically fail proof.
- Using a non-stick pan insures the fish does not stick.
Recipe Ingredients
Halibut
- Fish: Fresh halibut filets without skin, or if frozen, thawed.
- Liquid: Dry white wine, lemon water, or vegetable broth.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
Lemon Caper Vinaigrette Dressing
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
- Lemon: The juice, for bright flavor and acid to balance and zest for more lemon flavor.
- Capers: Get the small ones called "non-pareil".
- Herbs: Fresh chopped parsley
Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and pepper.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add a little creamy Dijon mustard to the vinaigrette to make it creamy as Dijon emulsifies a vinaigrette.
- Try different softer herbs than parsley.
- If you can't find halibut, use wild cod or other mild white fish.
Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Pat the fish dry then season it with sea salt and ground black pepper. Sometimes I add a little garlic powder or use lemon pepper. If the filets are long and thin, with the smooth side (or top side) down, fold in the thin ends of the filet. After folding your filets, turn them over. Drizzle the top with olive oil then season with sea salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the filets seasoned side down. Don’t touch them for a few minutes, allowing a golden crust to form. Peak underneath to test.
Chef's tip on working with long thin fish filets: Long, thin tapered fish filets can be tricky to work with. They can be too long to fit in a pan or fall apart when you turn them. They don’t present as impressively as a thicker filet. The solution? Fold them. This creates a thicker, more uniform piece of fish to work with.
Step 3: Turn the filets over, add white wine to the pan and quickly clamp on a tight fitting lid. If you have them, glass lids work well so you can see what’s going on in the pan.
Turn the heat down. Depending on the thickness of your filets, your fish will steam to completion in just a few minutes. The halibut should be barely opaque in the center when done (140°). To keep the fish moist, don’t overcook it.
Serving Suggestions
To dress the pan roasted halibut, make a light and flavorful vinaigrette with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and capers. Spoon a tablespoon over the fish when you serve. For extra lemon flavor, add a small wedge of lemon to squeeze over the top.
What sides pair well with pan-seared halibut? Glad you asked. Serve it with rice or quinoa, roast vegetables, and a side salad is nice for balance. The fish is simple so you can serve it different way and even with different sauces.
Sauce Options
To change things up, use the basic technique to cook the fish and try one of these sauces:
- Since halibut is lean, a rich sauce like this brilliant orange paprika sauce.
- For a tropical fresh finish, make this pineapple mango salsa or a creamy citrus mango sauce.
- For a little Mexican flare, use this easy tomatillo sauce.
Recipe FAQs
You likely accidentally over-cooked it. Don't walk away from the stove and watch your timing. Fish cooks quick! It takes just minutes. If it happens, be sure there is enough sauce for moisture and flavor, maybe a style creamy sauce.
If you have leftover halibut, store in an airtight container and use the next day. Leftover fish does not last. And for what to do with it, try flaking it and making fish tacos.
Alternative white fish include cod, sea bass, or grouper, mahi mahi, or haddock.
More Seafood Recipes
For another halibut recipe try this oven roasted halbitu with tomatoes.
📖 Recipe
Pan Roasted Halibut with Lemon Caper Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Non-stick pan with lid
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon fine lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon capers rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper or regular pepper
Halibut
- 4 4-6 ounce halibut filets
- ⅔ cup dry white wine sub lemon water or vegetable broth
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Instructions
Make the Vinaigrette
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon, juice, lemon zest, capers and parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside to dress fish at serving.
Cook the Halibut
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. If using thin filets, fold the thin tail ends towards the center creating a more uniform piece of fish. Drizzle the top of the filet with olive oil and season. Place the fish top (seasoned) side down in the hot pan and cook for a few minutes until a golden crust forms. Turn the filets over, pour in the white wine and immediately place a tight fitting lid on top of the pan. Turn the heat down a bit to low and allow the filets to steam finish in the wine. It will only take a few minutes (about 3-5), depending on the thickness of the fish. When done, fish should be barley opaque in the center. To test with a digital thermometer it should be at 145°F. To serve, drizzle with a little of the vinaigrette.
Nutrition
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Pat Gaston says
I just bought a nice piece of Sea of Cortez halibut but am dismayed a bit by the fact that it's skin-on. The seafood/meat counter person at Sprouts did not have a clue as to how to remove the skin. Neither do I. I am fine with cooking it with the skin, but obviously, your idea of folding it (love that idea for another time) won't work here. Given that, do you have recommendations for preparing it?
Sally Cameron says
Hi Pat. It's hard to say since I cannot see the piece of fish. To skin the filet, use a thin, sharp flexible knife. If you have a filet knife, great. If not and you enjoy fish frequently as we do, I would get one. If you need a recommendation let me know. Place the fish skin side down on a cutting board. Place the sharp edge of the knife at one end. There might be a little edge you can hang on to. Hold that little edge down on the board with your fingers then with the other hand, push the blade, angling it down, the the filet to the end. You might have to wiggle the blade back and forth a bit. I hope this makes sense. Easier to show that to explain. Good idea for a quick video. Look at this link for salmon and you should get a better visual idea. https://afoodcentriclife.com/how-to-steam-salmon/. If you can't get it off, it will probably peel off after cooking. Let me know how it comes out for you.
M kissel says
Made it tonight. Loved it, great with green beans. Yum!
Michelle K says
This was tonight's dinner withe some steamed broccoli and wild rice. We got a thick beautiful, fresh piece of Sea of Cortez halibut at Sprout's (usually we don't see them this nice there, so a great surprise for the price!) and your recipe was easy to follow and came out wonderful! True to the blog, it was fast and easy, great for weeknight cooking. We'll be making this one again - yum! Thank you!
Bridget Stangland says
This looks amazing! I love your website. Beautiful!
Simply Tia says
Thank you for that idea about folding fish. I don't have halibut on hand but I have some thin long tilapia and now I know exactly how to prepare it so that it looks thicker. Your photo is gorgeous. Your fish looks very flavorful and delicious. Will be saving this recipe!
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
Wow gorgeous dish. This is my kind of dinner. Yum!
Madonna says
This fish dish is a perfect example of why your dishes set you apart from all other blogs. Your attention to prep and presentation is wonderful, and I have tried hard to emulate you. I love that I can cook this for just two or for company. Thank you again.
I did not get a chance to comment on your mushroom/pasta sauce. Do you prefer this one to your roasted one?
Sally says
They are very different sauces Madonna. I really love them both! And thanks for the sweet compliments. You know how much work it is to post recipes.
sara says
Love this! Halibut is one of my favorite types of fish, this looks really delicious! 🙂