Baked Halibut with Lemon and Capers (Print Version)

Tender halibut fillets with bright lemon, briny capers, and fresh herbs. An elegant Mediterranean dish that's simple to prepare and impressive to serve.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 halibut fillets, skinless, 6 oz each
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Aromatics & Garnish

05 - 2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced and 1 juiced
06 - 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Optional

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

# How to Cook:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
03 - Place the fillets in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
04 - Scatter minced garlic and capers over the fish. Arrange lemon slices on and around the fillets. Dot with butter pieces if using.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the halibut is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The capers create these little pops of briny goodness that cut through the delicate fish in the most satisfying way.
  • Its one of those dishes that looks and tastes restaurant-quality but requires almost zero technique.
02 -
  • Overcooking halibut by even two minutes can turn it from succulently tender to disappointingly dry, so start checking at the 15-minute mark.
  • Letting the fish rest for about 3 minutes after coming out of the oven allows the juices to redistribute throughout the fillets.
03 -
  • Always bring the fish to room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking for more even cooking from edge to center.
  • Creating a small foil tent to place over the dish for the first half of baking helps lock in moisture, then remove it to allow for some beautiful caramelization.

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