Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (2024)

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This baked halibut with bread crumbs recipe is easy to make but so flavorful. It’s a great option for people who aren’t sure they like fish – I’ve converted many self-proclaimed fish haters to like halibut with this recipe!

I really love fish, but I used to have this thing where I didn’t like to put seasoning on fish. I like the real taste of good quality, wild fish with just a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. It feels like polluting the fish to add too much seasoning, or – heaven forbid – fry it. But lately, I like fish recipes that go beyond just salt and pepper and lemon, like the baked halibut with bread crumbs recipe I’m sharing today. Now I even like fried fish– fish and chips is just a delicious combo!

I got this recipe from my mom years ago and tried it on some halibut I got at the store one night for dinner. I wasn’t 100% sure how it would turn out since I didn’t have much experience breading and baking fish, but I am so glad I tried it. And I feel a bit silly even admitting that since breading and baking fish is just about the easiest way to prepare it!!!

This recipe works well on any white fish, but I especially love the texture and mild flavor of halibut.

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (1)

Halibut fishing in Alaska

I’ve always been partial to halibut since we grew up with a freezer stocked with it. For a while, my dad went to Alaska every year to fish and as each of us kids turned 21, we got to go with him. (I have 5 older brothers so there was an Alaska trip every few years!). I would give anything to go back to that week and have that time with my dad. Now especially as I live across the country from him and it’s so hard being so far from home, I think back to how special that trip was, just the two of us. And, of course, I got to help stock the freezer with halibut (and salmon!).

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (2)

My dad was so proud that I caught the biggest halibut on our charter boat! (Sorry for the low res-photos…this was long before digital cameras, so this is a photo of a photo!)

And to this day, nearly 15 years after that trip, I still think of those good memories with my dad. I also think about growing up and watching my mom prepare fish for dinner. It’s amazing how food can trigger so many memories, and I love creating new memories with loved ones over a good meal. And this is definitely a good meal.

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (4)

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe

You don’t need too many ingredients, and honestly, if you have a decently stocked kitchen, most of these ingredients are already in your pantry. You just need to get the halibut. Halibut is in peak season around August, but many stores will have a frozen option to make it year-round. I recommend using halibut for this recipe because it doesn’t have a strong fishy taste. If anything it’s a little sweet. This is why using the flavored bread mixture adds the perfect element to the halibut without having the fish taste overpower the Italian seasoning. But, it would work with any white fish if you can’t find halibut!

  • 2 halibut filets, skin removed
  • 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs (buy gluten-free if necessary)
  • 1/4 t dried oregano
  • 1/4 t dried basil
  • Scant 1/4 t garlic powder
  • 1 T fresh parsley (or 1 t dried)
  • 1/8 t salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 T melted butter or Earth Balance
  • Olive oil for the pan
Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (5)

Ingredients

Halibut is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and has a large variety of nutrients including many micronutrients like selenium, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, and B12. It’s also a pretty awesome form of protein and it tastes delicious. (While we’re discussing fish, always opt for wild-caught fish for better flavors since they have a more varied diet and their meat is leaner and less fatty.)

Bread crumbs probably aren’t the most nutrient-rich ingredient in this recipe, but they sure add that extra flavored texture, don’t they? If you are gluten-free, try buying a box version or make your own! There are some great and super easy recipes out there.

Oregano has some great nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Plus it adds that delicious Italian flavor!

Basil also packs a punch. It’s a rich source of vitamin K, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Parsley is a high source of vitamin A and vitamin K. It’s also rich in antioxidants, supports bone health, and contains nutrients to help protect your eyes.

Salt is a great source of sodium and depending on which type of salt you use in your recipes (Himalayan, Celtic, sea, or table salt), you might be getting in some calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron, too.

Butter can be a tricky one on the nutrition scale. It’s definitely flavorful, which is why I love using it in this recipe. Butter contains a great source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help support immune function. If you are dairy-free (or just avoiding butter), Earth Balance is a great alternative.

Olive Oil is the king of oils for me. It’s rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it just tastes amazing!

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (6)
Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (7)

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Combine the bread crumbs, oregano, basil, garlic powder, parsley, salt & pepper into a small or medium-sized bowl.

Step 3

Add the melted butter into the dry ingredients bowl and mix well. It will kind of look like wet sand.

Step 4

Coat the halibut with the bread crumb mixture, patting it onto the fish to make it stick.

Step 5

Put the halibut in a greased baking dish and drizzle a little olive oil on top.

Step 6

Bake for 20-30 minutes until it flakes in the middle. Try not to overcook it (it’s really easy to do). You want it just flaky, not rubbery!

Step 7

Serve on a plate and enjoy!

Let me know what you think of the recipe in the comments below!

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Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (8)

Baked Halibut with Italian Breading

  • Author: Teri from A Foodie Stays Fit

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 halibut filets, skin removed
  • 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs (buy gluten-free if necessary)
  • 1/4 t dried oregano
  • 1/4 t dried basil
  • scant 1/4 t garlic powder
  • 1 T fresh parsley (or 1 t dried)
  • 1/8 t salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 T melted butter or Earth Balance
  • olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the bread crumbs, oregano, basil, garlic powder, parsley, salt & pepper. Add the melted butter and mix well. It will kind of look like wet sand.
  3. Coat the halibut with the bread crumb mixture, patting it into the fish to make it stick.
  4. Put the halibut in a greased baking dish and drizzle a little olive oil on top.
  5. Bake for 20-30 minutes until it flakes in the middle. Try not to overcook it. You want it just flaky, not rubbery!

Do you remember when I first shared this recipe back in 2012? If so, thanks for being such a long-time reader! Here’s a photo from way back then. The new ones are definitely improved, ha!

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (9)

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Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (10)

Baked Halibut with Bread Crumbs Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep halibut moist when cooking? ›

Baking halibut with plenty of olive oil, butter, or even in a sauce, will prevent it from drying out. 2. Poach: Try poaching delicate halibut in tomato sauce or a broth flavored with lemon and white wine, or butter, garlic, and parsley. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

What is the best temperature to cook halibut? ›

The recommended cooking temperature for halibut by the USDA is 375°F (190°C) for approximately 10-15 minutes per inch of thickness. Internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption, ensuring the fish is cooked thoroughly while remaining tender and moist.

How do you know when baked halibut is done? ›

For halibut, an internal temperature between 120-140 degrees is suitable for a medium to well-done outcome, and cod is best served at 140 degrees. Grab your food-grade thermometer and insert at the thickest part of the fish to get the most accurate reading.

How do you keep fish moist when baking? ›

Brush fish with olive oil, melted butter, or pesto to keep it moist, and season as desired with snipped fresh or dried herbs, spice blends, minced garlic, and/or salt and pepper.

Why is my baked halibut mushy? ›

Mushy Pacific halibut Syndrome

Analyses of flesh samples by the State of Alaska's Fish Pathology Lab noted that fish with this condition have large areas of body tissue which are flaccid or jelly-like that is attributed to a non-infectious degenerative myopathy. The fillets may ooze water and are mushy when cooked.

How long does halibut need to be cooked for? ›

Bake until the fish is just opaque in the center (an instant-read thermometer should read 135 to 140 degrees F), 10 to 20 minutes.

Do you rinse halibut before cooking? ›

Do you rinse halibut before cooking? You should gently rinse halibut under cold water before cooking. Pat any excess moisture off each fillet using a paper towel.

How is halibut supposed to be cooked? ›

The most classic way of cooking halibut is pan-frying a fillet and serving it on a bed of greens with a simple sauce. To pan-fry, heat a generous amount of butter in a pan, and when it starts to foam then put the fillets in skin-down cooking until it is crispy.

Can you overcook halibut? ›

"Halibut has a delicate flavor and firm texture. Overcooking can dry it out. So Pan searing and basting with the oil/ butter mixture keeps it moist and flaky.

What is the white stuff coming out of halibut? ›

Contrary to popular belief, it is not fat, rather a simple protein that is most evident on salmon and some white fish like halibut. It's called albumin and regardless of how your fish is prepared – broiled, baked or barbecued, this harmless, curd-like substance can appear at any time.

What makes halibut tough? ›

Because Pacific halibut is such a lean species of fish, it can take on a particularly tough texture when cooked too long.

What percentage of meat do you get from a halibut? ›

Since most sport caught halibut will not be consumed fresh because of size and/or the distance to your home, a guide to freezing halibut is included here. First, with a decent filleting job you can expect about a 50 percent recovery of meat from your fish. That is, a 30 lb. halibut should give you about 15 lbs.

What makes halibut so good? ›

The proteins you get from eating halibut are complete proteins. That means they provide every essential amino acid that your body can't make on its own. It promotes heart health. Halibut meat contains nutrients that keep the heart healthy, such as selenium, magnesium, niacin, and omega-three fatty acids.

Why is my halibut so dry? ›

Halibut has a reputation for drying-out quickly if it's cooked for too long, so most traditional methods require the fish to be briefly fried, grilled or roasted. If you want to embrace a slower method then turn to techniques like smoking or curing.

What is the moist cooking method for fish? ›

Fish and shellfish lend themselves well to moist-heat cooking methods, especially steaming, poaching and simmering. Steaming best preserves the food's natural flavors and cooks without adding fat. Poaching is also popular, especially for fish.

Should you soak halibut in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor.

Should you soak halibut before cooking? ›

Some recipes for sous vide halibut recommend soaking the fish in a saltwater brine before cooking, in order to season it more deeply and to give it a denser, firmer texture.

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