Flavorful Grilled Halibut Recipe: Ina Garten’s Summer Magic

Summers sizzle with flavor when you master the Ina Garten grilled halibut recipe that turns simple seafood into a culinary masterpiece.

Fresh halibut meets Mediterranean-inspired seasoning, creating a dish that dances between delicate and bold.

The secret lies in perfectly grilled fish that stays moist and tender.

Each bite promises a symphony of herbs and zesty notes that awaken your palate.

Coastal elegance meets home cooking with this straightforward yet sophisticated recipe.

Salt, pepper, and a drizzle of good olive oil elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Get ready to impress everyone at your next outdoor gathering with this show-stopping seafood sensation.

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten Grilled Halibut

• Grill Preparation

Set up your outdoor grill at a medium heat zone, creating a perfect cooking environment for delicate fish. Clean the grates and lightly brush with oil to prevent sticking.

• Flavor Fusion

Create a zesty herb butter by blending softened butter with fresh garden herbs, bright citrus notes, and subtle seasoning. This mixture will infuse the halibut with rich, complex flavors.

• Fish Coating

Generously massage the herbed butter across the halibut steaks, ensuring every surface is lovingly covered with the aromatic mixture.

• Grilling Magic

Carefully place the fish on the heated grates, allowing each side to transform into a golden, flaky masterpiece. Cover the grill to trap heat and cook evenly, watching for that perfect moment when the fish easily separates with a gentle touch.

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten Grilled Halibut

• Experiment with fresh or dried herbs like basil, thyme, or chives to customize the butter mixture and enhance the halibut's delicate flavor profile.
• Soak the halibut in a light citrus or white wine marinade for 15-30 minutes before grilling to infuse extra moisture and tenderness into the fish.
• Swap grilling with oven-roasting or pan-searing if outdoor grilling isn't available, adjusting cooking time to maintain the fish's delicate texture.
• Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the herb-infused halibut and elevate the dining experience.
• Consider replacing halibut with other firm white fish like cod, sea bass, or mahi-mahi for similar grilling results when halibut isn't readily available.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Grilled Halibut

• Serve with Citrus Salad: Pair the grilled halibut with a refreshing mixed citrus salad featuring orange, grapefruit, and lemon segments to complement the herb-infused fish.
• Create a Herb Accompaniment: Garnish the halibut with fresh dill and parsley sprigs to enhance the herb notes in the butter mixture and add a vibrant green touch to the plate.
• Add Grilled Summer Vegetables: Plate the halibut alongside grilled zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers to create a light, seasonal meal that highlights the delicate fish flavor.
• Drizzle with Extra Herb Butter: Spoon additional melted herb butter over the grilled halibut just before serving to intensify the rich, lemony flavor profile.

Keeping Ina Garten Grilled Halibut Fresh

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover grilled halibut in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume refrigerated fish within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and safety.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap cooled halibut tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently to prevent drying out.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm leftover halibut in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil. Use a low temperature to maintain moisture and prevent overcooking.
• Serve Smart: Pair refrigerated halibut with fresh salads or quick grain sides. Cold fish works perfectly in sandwiches, salad bowls, or as a protein-packed lunch option.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Grilled Halibut

• Softened Butter: Delivers rich, velvety flavor and helps herbs cling to the fish, selecting high-quality unsalted butter ensures pure taste.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, zesty tang that cuts through the fish's richness and helps tenderize the protein.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle, aromatic depth without overwhelming the delicate halibut.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh, grassy notes and vibrant green color for visual appeal.
• Dill: Offers classic seafood-friendly herbaceous flavor that complements marine proteins beautifully.
• Sugar: Balances acidity and enhances caramelization during grilling.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that amplify the natural flavors of the fish.

• Halibut Steaks: Delivers mild, delicate white fish with firm texture, best when fresh and sustainably sourced from cold waters.

• Cooking Oil: Prevents fish from sticking to grill grates and ensures beautiful sear marks, using neutral oils with high smoke points works best.

Tools to Prepare Ina Garten Grilled Halibut

• Outdoor Grill: Essential for achieving that perfect char and smoky flavor on the halibut.
• Small Bowl: Needed for mixing the flavorful butter blend with herbs and spices.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tools for accurately measuring seasonings and ingredients.
• Fork: Useful for checking the fish's doneness by testing if it flakes easily.
• Cooking Tongs: Perfect for safely placing and flipping the halibut on the grill grate.
• Pastry Brush (optional): Helpful for evenly spreading the butter mixture on the fish.

Elegant Ina Garten Grilled Halibut Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s grilled halibut recipe delivers Mediterranean-inspired elegance to seafood lovers. Simple ingredients and smart techniques create a delightful main course that impresses dinner guests with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

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• 4 halibut steaks (1-inch thick)
• ¾ cup (170 g) butter (softened)
• 1 ½ tsps (7.5 ml) onion powder
• 1 ½ tsps (7.5 ml) dried parsley
• ¾ tsp (3.75 ml) dried dill weed
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) white sugar
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Grill Preparation: Heat outdoor grill to medium temperature (350-375°F), then lightly oil grates to prevent fish from adhering during cooking.
2. Herb Butter Creation: Combine softened butter, lemon juice, onion powder, parsley, dill, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, blending until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Fish Seasoning: Thoroughly coat halibut steaks with the herbed butter mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage to maximize flavor infusion during grilling.
4. Initial Grilling Phase: Place seasoned halibut steaks on preheated grill, cooking undisturbed for 5-6 minutes to develop golden-brown grill marks and seal in moisture, maintaining closed grill cover for consistent heat distribution.
5. Final Cooking Stage: Carefully flip fish using a wide spatula and continue grilling for an additional 5-6 minutes, keeping grill covered to ensure uniform cooking and optimal flavor development.
6. Doneness Verification: Test halibut’s readiness by gently probing with a fork – fish should flake easily and appear completely opaque white, signaling it is perfectly cooked and ready to be served.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking: Brush grill grates with oil to ensure halibut doesn’t tear or break during cooking.
• Butter Blend Magic: Mix herbs and lemon into butter for a flavor-packed coating that elevates the fish’s taste and moisture.
• Grill Temperature Precision: Maintain medium heat between 350-375°F to cook halibut evenly without drying out or burning.
• Doneness Check: Use fork test to confirm fish is perfectly cooked – flaky, opaque white texture signals ideal grilling results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 52 g
• Saturated Fat: 32 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg