Halibut is a delicious fish that has become a favorite at restaurants across America. If you want to serve halibut at home, you’ll need to know how to prepare it properly.
Cooking time varies depending on the size of the fish. The smaller the halibut, the faster it cooks. For example, a 6-ounce halibut takes about 12 minutes to cook.
A 10-ounce halibut will take around 20 minutes. Wondering how you will know when your halibut is done, and the best temperature? Then read on for all you need to know!
What Are Halibut?
Halibut are cold-water fish with firm flesh. They have a mild flavor and can be cooked in many ways. They are often served grilled or baked. You may also find them smoked, pickled, or canned.
Halibut is one of the most popular seafoods in the United States. It’s easy to see why: they’re tasty, affordable, and versatile. They’re available year-round, so you don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy this delicacy.
Halibut is an excellent source of protein, vitamins B12 and D, and minerals like selenium. It’s low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids.
How To Cook Halibut
There are several ways to cook halibut. Here are some tips for preparing it at home:
1. Clean Halibut
Before cooking halibut, make sure it’s clean. Remove any scales and innards using a sharp knife. Rinse the fish thoroughly under running water.
2. Season Halibut
Halibut should be seasoned before cooking. This helps prevent the fish from tasting bland. Use salt, pepper, lemon juice, or other seasonings as desired.
Some of the most popular seasonings to use with halibut include garlic, onion powder, parsley, rosemary, basil, thyme, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and white wine.
3. Prepare Halibut
To ensure even cooking, cut each halibut into 4 equal portions. Place the pieces on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes per pound (about 5 pounds).
There are also other options available when it comes to preparing your halibut, and these include grilling, broiling, poaching, and smoking. Each of these has its pros and cons:
- Grilling – Grilled halibut is great because it doesn’t require much preparation. However, if you do choose to grill your halibut, make certain to keep it away from direct heat sources. Direct heat can cause the fish to dry out quickly.
- Broiling – Broiled halibut is another option. Simply place the halibut on a lightly greased pan and bake it for 8 to 10 minutes per side.
- Poaching – Poached halibut is simple. Just add 1/4 cup of water to a saucepan filled halfway with oil. Add the halibut to the pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cover. Simmer for about 7 minutes per pound.
- Smoking – Smoking is another way to prepare halibut. Smoke it by placing the halibut in a smoker that has been set up for this purpose. The smoke will give the halibut a delicious smoky taste.
- Pan Fry – Pan-frying is another option. Place the halibut in hot oil in a skillet. Let it fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately.
- Oven Bake – Oven baking is another option. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil. Lay the halibut in the pan and pour olive oil over top. Cover the pan with more foil and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the halibut over and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes.
- Sous Vide – Sous vide is a method used to cook food in vacuum-sealed bags. You simply seal the bag and then submerge it in a bath of warm water. The temperature of the water determines how long the food cooks. For example, you could put a steak sous vide for 12 hours, which would result in a cooked steak that’s tender and juicy. Sous vide halibut should be cooked sous vide at 131°F (55°C) for 40 minutes.
4. Test Halibut
When you think your halibut is ready, test it by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the meat. If the fork slides out easily, then the halibut is done.
5. Serve Halibut
Serve halibut hot or cold. Try serving it with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and a salad.
6. Store Halibut
If you’d like to keep halibut in the refrigerator, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Do not refrigerate raw halibut because it will spoil quickly.
7. Freeze Halibut
You can freeze halibut if you’d like to save it for later. Wrap the filets individually in freezer paper, lay them flat in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and cover them with aluminum foil.
Label the package with the date. Once frozen, remove the halibut from the freezer and store it in resealable bags.
What Is the Right Internal Temperature for Halibut?
Part of ensuring that your halibut comes out perfectly is understanding the correct internal temperature of your fish.
This is important because if the halibut is undercooked, it won’t be as flavorful as one that has been cooked properly. Here are some guidelines for what the right internal temperature should be:
- A rare halibut should have an internal temperature of about 115°F (46°C).
- Medium rare should be between 125°F (52°C) and 130°F (54°C).
- Well done should be around 140°F (60°C).
How Long Does Halibut Need To Be Cooked Under Pressure?
Halibut is a firm white fish that is often served steamed or grilled. However, this versatile fish also makes a great choice for cooking under pressure.
Cooking halibut under pressure gives the fish a firmer texture than traditional methods. Plus, the process takes less time than other methods. Here’s how to cook halibut under pressure:
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
2. Place the Halibut Filet In the Bag
3. Seal the Bag
4. Cook the Halibut
5. Open the Valve
Once you’ve prepared your ingredients, placed your halibut in the bag, sealed the bag, and set up your cooker, it’s time to start cooking! Start off by setting your cooker to high pressure.
Then, turn down the heat to low and wait for the indicator to reach zero. Next, open the valve and release the pressure. Let the halibut sit for 5 minutes before removing it from the cooker.
6. Remove the Halibut From the Cooker
When the halibut is cool enough to handle, gently lift it out of the bag using tongs. You may need to cut away any excess skin.
Tips For Preparing Halibut
Here are some tips for preparing halibut:
1. Use Fresh Halibut
Fresh halibut tastes better than frozen halibut. If you’re buying halibut at the market, make sure it smells clean and doesn’t smell fishy.
2. Cut It Into Pieces
Halibut meat tends to fall apart easily when cut into pieces. So, try to cut the halibut into large chunks so they’ll stay intact during cooking.
3. Season Before Cooking
Seasoning your halibut will help give it a delicious flavor. Try sprinkling salt and pepper on top of the halibut after you’ve removed it from the packaging.
4. Freeze Halibut
If you’d like to save halibut for another meal, freeze it. The freezer helps keep the fish fresh longer. Just thaw the halibut in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
5. Don’t Overcook Halibut
If you overcook halibut, it loses its tenderness and becomes tough. Make sure you don’t leave halibut in the oven too long. Instead, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve With Garlic Sauce
Garlic sauce goes well with halibut. Try adding a few cloves of garlic along with the salt and pepper.
7. Add Vegetables
Adding vegetables to halibut can add more flavor and nutrients. Try sautéing carrots, green beans, potatoes, or broccoli along with the halibut.
8. Garnish With Lemon Juice
Lemon juice adds brightness to halibut. Sprinkle lemon juice over the halibut just before serving.
9. Make Fish Stock
You can use halibut stock to enhance the flavor of soups, sauces, gravies, casseroles, and stews. Simply simmer 1 cup of halibut bones in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain the broth through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the solids.
10. Avoid Sticking by Using the Right Oil – When frying halibut, avoid using high heat oil that has been sitting around for a long period of time. Instead, choose light olive oil. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats which help prevent heart disease.
11. Monitor the Internal Temperature of Your Halibut While it Cooks
It is important to monitor the internal temperature of your halibut while it cooks. This way, you know exactly what stage it’s at.
To monitor the internal temperature, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fish. Once inserted, close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
How Long Does Halibut Take to Cook?
It takes about 10 minutes per pound for halibut to cook all the way through. However, this varies depending on the size of the halibut. Smaller halibut tend to take less time to cook.
Is Halibut Healthy?
Yes, halibut is healthy. It contains lots of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega 3 fatty acids, and selenium.
How do I Remove the Skin From Halibut?
Halibut skin is very thin and easy to remove. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the skin. Then, rinse the halibut under cold running water.
What Are The Health Benefits of Halibut?
Halibut offers a wide range of health benefits, and these include:
- Halibut is a Good Source Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own. They’re found mostly in fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, mackerel, trout, and halibut.
These fatty acids have many health benefits including helping to reduce cholesterol levels, fight inflammation, boost brain function, improve mental performance, and promote cardiovascular health.
- Halibut Contains High Levels Of Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that helps maintain good immune system functioning. It also supports thyroid health, protects against cancer, boosts fertility, promotes bone formation, and may even protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
- Halibut Is A Rich Source Of Iron
Iron is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body. It plays a vital role in maintaining energy production, blood cell development, and oxygen transportation throughout the body.
It also helps with wound healing, tissue repair, and muscle growth.
- Halibut Is An Excellent Source Of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally produced when sunlight hits the skin. It is needed for strong bones, teeth, muscles, and nerves. Some foods like milk, egg yolks, and oily fish contain small amounts of vitamin D.
- Halibut Helps Prevent Heart Disease
Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol. In addition, they can help keep arteries clear and prevent plaque buildup.
- Halibut Can Help Reduce Inflammation
Fish is a great source of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that eating fish three times a week reduces the risk of heart attack by almost half.
- Halibut May Be Protective Against Cancer
Studies show that people who eat more fish have a reduced risk of developing certain types of cancers. Fish also contains high levels of selenium, which is known to be protective against some forms of cancer.
- Halibut Has Anti-Aging Properties
Eating fish regularly has been shown to slow down the aging process. This is because it provides your body with important nutrients like vitamins C and E, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which support healthy skin and eyes.
- Halibut Supports Healthy Vision
Eating fish regularly has been linked to improved eye health. Fish is an excellent source of zinc, which is necessary for keeping your eyes moist. Zinc also helps make proteins in your eyes stronger and less likely to break down.
- Halibut Promotes Stronger Bones
Fish is rich in calcium, which is needed for building strong bones. Calcium also helps regulate nerve impulses, which keeps you feeling alert and focused while studying or working.
Halibut is also good for your teeth and is a natural source of phosphorus, which strengthens tooth enamel and makes them more resistant to decay. Phosphorus works with fluoride to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities.
Final Thoughts
Halibut is a delicious white meat that is loaded with essential nutrients. It’s a lean protein that is low in calories and saturated fats, making it a perfect meal choice for weight loss. It’s also a good source of iron, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and B12.
And finally, halibut is a wonderful source of omega-3 fats, which are beneficial for brain function, vision, and overall well-being.
The key is to ensure that you are preparing and cooking your halibut properly, and this includes ensuring that you have the right temperature. By following our simple guide, you can enjoy nutritious, delicious halibut any time it takes your family.