Easy Baked Halibut

Name: Easy Baked Halibut
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup mayonnaise; 1 shallot (finely diced); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons chives (finely chopped); 1 teaspoon dijon mustard; salt and pepper (to taste); 4 halibut fillets

by Lisa Bryan

100 Comments

Updated Sep 20, 2022

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Baked halibut topped with a creamy, herbed mayonnaise crust is a dinner sensation! This quick and easy recipe gives you moist and flakey filets with an utterly delicious topping that will have everyone wanting more.

Baked halibut with herbed mayonnaise crust on a plate.

If you need one go-to, no-fail halibut recipe, this is it! While it’s fun to get creative with halibut and make something like halibut ceviche, when you’re looking for the perfect foolproof weeknight meal it’s got to be this baked halibut. It’s the halibut recipe I make most often in my house and I never tire of it.

When I was a kid I visited my aunt and uncle in Alaska and caught a huge halibut (see photo proof on the video below!), and I’ve been a fan of halibut ever since. It’s light yet meaty, boasts tons of nutrients, and doesn’t need much to make it taste amazing.

But to keep it extra moist as it cooks, I took the same route of my dijon baked salmon and whipped up this herby, lemon-y, mayonnaise spread to slather on top. And when you take that first bite, you won’t believe how easy it was to create such a healthy yet impressive dinner recipe!

Ingredients for baked halibut on a table

Baked Halibut Ingredients

Just 5 ingredients plus the halibut are all you need!

Mayonnaise: I always default to my homemade mayonnaise recipe, but feel free to use store-bought as well.
Shallot: Adds a mild onion and garlicky flavor with a beautiful pop of pink!
Lemon Juice: Definitely use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the freshest flavor.
Herbs: I love chives for this recipe, but any fresh herbs will work!
Dijon Mustard: Gives it just a kick of that spicy mustard flavor without being overpowering.
Halibut: This recipe calls for 4 fillets, but keep reading to see how to shop for the perfect ones!

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Buy Halibut

While you can find halibut year-round, peak season for fresh-caught Pacific halibut (which I recommend) is March through October. So when you’re in the midst of halibut season, keep your eyes peeled for fish with a firm flesh that’s translucent and glistening. Avoid any fillets with discoloration, yellow-ish fat, or chalky white spots.

Can you buy frozen halibut? You sure can! Frozen halibut is flash frozen right when it’s caught, which helps maintain its freshness, and allows you to store it in your freezer. It’s a win-win option!

Making baked halibut in a ceramic baking pan.

How To Make This Easy Baked Halibut Recipe

In a short 20 minutes, you’ll have beautiful halibut fillets ready to serve! To get started, preheat your oven to 400F, then follow along below.

Make the herbed mayonnaise. In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, mustard, shallots, parsley, half of the chives, lemon juice, and pepper.
Spread the herbed mayonnaise on your fillets. Place your halibut fillets in a baking dish brushed with oil. Then evenly spoon the mayo mixture on top of each fillet.
Bake away! Pop this dish in the oven and bake for 15-17 minutes. Then right before the fish is done, turn on your broiler for an extra 1-2 minutes to give it that slightly golden crust.
Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the rest of the chives on top for a fresh green touch, and you’re ready to serve!

Baked halibut fillets on a plate next to cilantro

A Few Extra Tips

Try to buy fillets the same size. This will ensure even cooking amongst all the fillets, and hopefully prevent overcooking them.
Speaking of overcooking. It’s best to slightly undercook the halibut rather than overcook it. Halibut doesn’t contain much oil, so it’s prone to drying out more quickly. But good news, the mayonnaise crust acts as a barrier to prevent overcooking as well!

Ways To Serve Baked Halibut With Mayo

With how light and fresh these fillets are, think leafy greens and a variety of cooked veggies for the perfect pairing.

Side Salad: Come summer, a simple, fresh salad is all you need with this halibut. A few easy options are a cucumber salad, greek salad, or an arugula salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette.
Roasted Vegetables: Give roasted broccoli, honey glazed carrots, or roasted cauliflower a try for a flavorful, filling meal.
Sauteed Vegetables: While the fish is cooking, you can whip up sauteed spinach, sauteed cabbage, or green beans right on the stovetop!

How To Store And Reheat Baked Halibut

For storing: Have leftover fillets? They’ll keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
For reheating: To avoid drying out your halibut, reheat it low and slow. The microwave can be convenient and works just fine. But if you have spare time, reheat it in the oven at 275F for about 15 minutes until it’s warmed through.

Baked Halibut Recipe Video

Want to see how I make this baked halibut? Watch the video below!

More Tasty, Easy Fish Recipes

The beauty of seafood is how easy it is to make in a wide variety of recipes. You can start with my best salmon recipes roundup, or a few of these reader favorites!

If you make this baked halibut, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.