Create a simple and elegant meal for weeknights or guests with this baked halibut recipe. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll be digging into silky, moist mild fish with a bold earthy tomato-caper topping.

Sometimes the simplest dishes are best if you get the combination of flavors right.

baked halibut with tomato caper herb sauce over spinach on plate.

I use a two-step process for the halibut fillets. First, a quick pan-sear. Then into the oven with the sauce to finish.

The extra pan-searing step has two advantages: it helps develop a light golden crust and it can be done ahead of time if you are serving the dish to company. You can skip it, though, and bake the halibut a little longer.

This is a great recipe to use with any other white fish with a mild flavor since halibut is expensive and may not be sold everywhere.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

halibut fillets, fresh chopped tomatoes, fresh oregano, capers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper. — halibut fillets, fresh chopped tomatoes, fresh oregano, green onions, capers, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper.

Halibut: Buy fresh halibut fillets without skin (or remove the skin yourself). Halibut is a thicker, mild white fish.

Variations and substitutes:

Use cod, cod cheeks, sea bass or another mild white fish (on the thicker side if possible) instead of halibut filets.
Substitute chopped kalamata olives for the capers.
If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, use good quality canned tomatoes like San Marzano without the juice.
Add a little fresh lemon juice or some lemon zest
Add fresh basil, parsley or chopped chives for garnish.

Step by step instructions

chopped fresh cherry and heirloom tomatoes with herbs and capers in bowl. — In a medium bowl, mix tomatoes, capers, herbs, and balsamic vinegar.

two pan seared halibut fillets with green onions in skillet. — Sauté halibut in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

pan seared halibut with tomato caper herb sauce on sheet pan. — Add tomato mixture around and on top of the fish and finish cooking it in the oven. If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, use a baking dish or sheet pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment.

_{Plate the halibut and spoon the pan sauce with tomato mixture over the top.}

Shortcut

Skip the pan sear step and roast the halibut in the oven for about 10-14 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish.

Make Ahead

This baked halibut recipe can be partially made ahead. Before serving dinner, have the tomato caper topping ready to give you a head start. Pan-sear the halibut, then remove it from the stovetop and cover it with foil to keep warm. Just before serving, pop everything in the oven for 3-6 minutes to finish roasting.

What to serve with roasted halibut

This is the perfect recipe to serve over a bed of couscous or rice and spinach. Other great sides are curried rice with raisins, seasoned cauliflower rice, baked cauliflower with Parmesan or a nice citrus salad over greens.

More baked fish recipes

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