Easy Ina Garten Grilled Halibut Recipe: Perfect Summer Meal

Grilled halibut represents a culinary treasure that transforms ordinary seafood into an extraordinary dining experience.

Delicate white fish meets intense flame-kissed techniques, creating magical moments on your dinner plate.

Fresh oceanic flavors dance with sophisticated seasonings, promising a meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Professional chefs adore this preparation method for its simplicity and stunning results.

Each succulent fillet absorbs smoky nuances while maintaining its pristine, tender texture.

Marine proteins absorb marinades beautifully, developing complex layers of taste that surprise and delight.

Home cooks can master this technique with minimal effort and maximum impact: prepare to elevate your summer menu.

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut

• Onions, Fennel: Base vegetables for creating a flavorful sauce foundation, choose fresh and firm produce.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the sauce, select fresh cloves for best taste.
• Basil: Brings fresh herbaceous notes, use fresh leaves for vibrant flavor and garnish.

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Primary cooking fat and marinade for fish, choose high-quality cold-pressed variety.
• Dry White Wine: Adds complexity and acidity to the sauce, select a crisp wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
• Chicken Stock: Provides additional depth to the sauce, use low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
• Capers: Brings briny, tangy flavor to the sauce, rinse before using to reduce excessive saltiness.
• Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall dish flavor.

• Halibut Fillets: Main protein, choose fresh skinless fillets with firm, white flesh.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce, use high-quality butter.
• Canned Italian Plum Tomatoes: Creates sauce base with rich, sweet tomato flavor.

How to Grill Ina Garten’s Halibut to Perfection

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat
• Add finely chopped onions
• Add chopped fennel
• Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables soften

Step 2: Infuse with Garlic

Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn

Step 3: Create Tomato Base

• Add 2 (28-ounce) cans of drained Italian plum tomatoes
• Gently break tomatoes with a fork
• Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid reduces

Step 4: Enhance Sauce Complexity

• Pour in dry white wine
• Add chicken stock
• Stir in coarsely chopped capers
• Simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend flavors

Step 5: Finish Sauce with Richness

• Stir in coarsely chopped basil
• Add unsalted butter
• Turn off heat and set sauce aside

Step 6: Prepare Halibut for Grilling

• Light grill and preheat to medium-high
• Brush 8 skinless halibut fillets with extra-virgin olive oil
• Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Step 7: Grill Fish to Perfection

Grill halibut for 4 minutes on each side until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

• Place grilled halibut fillets into tomato basil sauce
• Let fish sit in sauce for 2 minutes to absorb flavors
• Garnish with small fresh basil leaves
• Serve immediately while hot

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut

• Sizzle with Herb Intensity: Crush fresh basil leaves between your fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils and maximize flavor depth.
• Detect Seafood Quality: Gently press halibut fillets – they should spring back quickly and feel resilient, signaling peak freshness and optimal taste.
• Rescue Sticky Sauce Situations: When sauce becomes overly thick, introduce warm chicken stock gradually, stirring continuously to maintain smooth, silky texture.
• Master Grill Temperature Tricks: Position grill thermometer in center to confirm even 400-450°F heat zones before placing delicate fish fillets.
• Prevent Fish Fragmentation: Brush clean grill grates with high-smoke-point oil like avocado or grapeseed to create protective non-stick barrier and ensure beautiful fillet presentation.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for halibut fillets. Extract all air to prevent freezer burn and preserve delicate fish texture. Vacuum-sealed halibut can last up to 6 months in the freezer, maintaining its original flavor and quality.
• Individual Wrapping: Protect each halibut fillet separately with high-quality freezer paper or plastic wrap. Create a tight seal by pressing out excess air and double-wrapping for extra protection. Label each package with the date and contents to track storage time and ensure proper rotation.
• Temperature Control: Keep halibut at consistent, cold temperatures between 32-38°F in the refrigerator. Store fish on the bottom shelf to prevent potential drips onto other foods. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor and maintain optimal storage conditions for maximum seafood freshness.

Delicious Variations of Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace basil with a mix of oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a robust Mediterranean flavor profile. Sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese on top for extra zest.
• Spicy Southwestern Adaptation: Add diced jalapeños and ground cumin to the tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with a lime wedge to bring a southwestern kick to the dish.
• Mediterranean Seafood Blend: Incorporate additional seafood like shrimp or mussels into the tomato sauce before adding the halibut. This creates a more complex and hearty seafood experience with layered maritime flavors.
• Mediterranean Wine Upgrade: Substitute chicken stock with a richer white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Add a splash of ouzo or Pernod for an authentic Mediterranean anise undertone that complements the fennel beautifully.

Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut: A Simple and Flavorful Feast

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s grilled halibut recipe, blending Mediterranean flavors with coastal elegance.

Mediterranean-inspired tomato basil sauce provides a luxurious backdrop for perfectly grilled halibut fillets.

Capers and white wine elevate the dish’s complexity, creating layers of sophisticated taste.

Fennel and onions form a delicate aromatic foundation that complements the delicate fish.

Summers in coastal kitchens come alive through this Mediterranean-style preparation, celebrating fresh ingredients and simple techniques.

Passionate cooks who embrace this recipe will discover a sensational dining experience – so savor each bite, share the recipe with friends, comment below, and spread deliciousness across your culinary world.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Grilled Halibut a Perfect Summer Dish

• Craft Vibrant Mediterranean Flavors: Dive into a culinary journey with this halibut recipe that bursts with rich, sun-kissed tomato and fennel sauce, creating an authentic Mediterranean taste experience.
• Master Foolproof Grilling Technique: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe provides simple, precise grilling instructions that ensure moist, perfectly cooked halibut every single time.
• Indulge in Luxurious Sauce Complexity: Experience a sauce that builds incredible depth through layered cooking – softened onions, capers, white wine, and fresh basil combine to create a sophisticated, restaurant-quality accompaniment that elevates the delicate fish.

Ina Garten Grilled Halibut Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s grilled halibut brings Mediterranean elegance to summer seafood with fresh herbs and zesty lemon. Succulent fish fillets sizzle to perfection, offering a delicate balance of smoky char and bright citrus notes that transport you to coastal culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 skinless halibut fillets (6 to 7 ounces each), about 1 inch thick
• 2 cups finely chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped fennel
• Two 28-ounce cans of Italian plum tomatoes, drained

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 minced garlic cloves
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
• ¼ cup capers, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup coarsely chopped basil, plus small leaves for garnish
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Fats and Oils:

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Initiate the sauce preparation by warming 80 milliliters (1/3 cup) of extra-virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté 2 cups of finely diced onions and 2 cups of chopped fennel, stirring periodically until they become soft and translucent, approximately 10 minutes.
2. Introduce minced garlic cloves into the skillet, stirring and allowing them to release their aromatic essence for roughly 1 minute, taking care to prevent burning.
3. Incorporate two 28-ounce cans of drained Italian plum tomatoes, gently fragmenting them with a fork during cooking. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then allow the mixture to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until liquid significantly reduces.
4. Enhance the sauce with 60 milliliters (1/4 cup) of dry white wine and 60 milliliters (1/4 cup) of chicken stock. Fold in 60 milliliters (1/4 cup) of coarsely chopped capers, permitting the sauce to gently simmer for an additional 10 minutes to meld flavors.
5. Complete the sauce by integrating 1 cup of roughly chopped fresh basil and 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of unsalted butter, creating a luxurious and herbaceous finish. Remove from heat and reserve.
6. Prepare the grill by heating to medium-high temperature. Generously brush 8 skinless halibut fillets with extra-virgin olive oil, seasoning both surfaces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Position the halibut fillets on the preheated grill, cooking approximately 4 minutes per side until the fish turns opaque and flakes effortlessly with a fork, being mindful to avoid overcooking.
8. Transfer the perfectly grilled halibut into the prepared tomato basil sauce, allowing the fillets to absorb flavors for a brief moment. Garnish with delicate fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Notes

• Seal in succulent halibut flavors by carefully resting the fish in the vibrant tomato sauce.
• Select ultra-fresh halibut for a melt-in-your-mouth seafood experience that impresses instantly.
• Break whole tomatoes by hand to unlock deeper, more authentic sauce complexity.
• Enhance the dish with capers’ tangy burst that perfectly balances the delicate fish profile.
• Create a luxurious foundation using fennel and onions that transform this simple recipe into a gourmet masterpiece.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 322
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 358 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg