How to Broil Halibut
Halibut -- like other firm, white-fleshed fish such as swordfish -- is one of the best types of fish to broil. Both the steaks and fillets cook up firmly and have a mild flavor that lends itself well to pairing with a wide variety of sauces, seasonings or side dishes. Halibut is rich in potassium, providing 460 mg for every three ounce serving, and is low in calories, cholesterol and saturated fat. In fact, halibut is so lean that you'll need to watch it closely when broiling it to prevent it from drying out.
Rinse the halibut steaks or fillets in cold running water and gently pat them dry with paper towels. Place the fish in a shallow glass baking dish.
How to Eat Trout
Learn More
Mix the lime juice and soy sauce in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the halibut and allow the fish to soak, turning once, for 15 to 30 minutes.
Preheat the broiler for 15 minutes before cooking, positioning the oven rack 3 to 4 inches from the heat source.
Fish & Chicken Diet
Learn More
Oil a rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13 inch roasting pan lightly with vegetable or olive oil. Arrange the halibut in the prepared pan.
Broil the fish, undisturbed, for six minutes. Slide a thin-bladed knife into the thickest part of the steak or fillet; if it passes through easily and the innermost portion of the flesh is no longer translucent, the halibut is done.
Tips
If you're pressed for time, you can omit the marinade. However, be certain to brush the halibut steaks or fillets generously with butter, olive oil or soy sauce to keep them from cooking up dry.
Halibut is excellent topped with chopped fresh herbs or seasoned breadcrumbs just before broiling. It can also be topped after broiling with flavored butter or oil, citrus-based sauces, salsa or an herbed vinaigrette.
Related Articles
References
- "How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food"; Mark Bittman; 1998
- "The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook"; The Editors at America's Test Kitchen; 2006
- "Joy of Cooking"; Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker; 1997
- The Cooking Fishmonger: Cooking Halibut
- How to Cook Meat.com: Broiled Halibut Fillet
Writer Bio
Michelle Kerns writes for a variety of print and online publications and specializes in literature and science topics. She has served as a book columnist since 2008 and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. Kerns studied English literature and neurology at UC Davis.