Modern · Dinner · All year
Pan-Seared Halibut
4.6 · community
10m
Prep
10m
Cook
Easy
Level
380
Energy
The meatiest white fish, seared golden and butter-basted — halibut forgives less than salmon, so the thermometer earns its keep at 55°C.
What you need
Ingredients
Servings
2
Before you start
Mise en place
Equipment
Large skillet
Chef's knife
Cutting board
Prep checklist
Halibut — 180 g each, skinless
4 steps
Method
1
Dry and season the fillets; rest 10 minutes to lose the chill.
10 min — timer available in cooking mode
2
Sear in oil over medium-high, presentation-side down, 4 minutes untouched, until it releases with a golden crust.
4 min — timer available in cooking mode
3
Flip; add butter, garlic, thyme, and baste 2–3 minutes to 55°C at the center — opaque but glossy, flaking under pressure but not falling.
3 min — timer available in cooking mode
Why this works
Halibut travels from succulent to sawdust in about 90 seconds. 55°C, rest 3, no exceptions.
4
Lemon into the pan butter, over the fish, done.
From the pass
Chef's notes
Taste before serving and adjust salt and acid — the last 30 seconds of seasoning matter more than any single ingredient.
Afterwards
Keep, reheat & pair
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.
Freezing
Freezes well up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently: covered in a 160°C oven for 15 minutes, or in a pan over medium-low with a splash of water or stock. The microwave works at 50% power in short bursts — full blast toughens proteins.
Make ahead
Most braises and sauces improve overnight. Sear-and-serve dishes: do every step up to the final cook, then finish fresh.
Wine pairing
White Burgundy or Chablis.
Beer pairing
Match intensity: lagers for delicate dishes, amber ales for roasted flavors, stouts for the rich and braised.
On the plate
Serve it with
Sides
Crusty bread or buttered rice
A sharp green salad
Roasted seasonal vegetables
Garnish
Fresh herbs added off the heat
A squeeze of lemon
Flaky salt
Taste map
Flavour profile
Sweet
1
Salty
3
Sour
1
Bitter
0
Umami
4
Heat
1
Per serving
Nutrition
380
kcal
42g
protein
2g
carbs
22g
fat
3g
fiber
520mg
sodium
Just for you
Your notes
Understand it
Lessons behind this dish
Keep exploring
Related