Halibut is a popular flatfish that’s part of the staple diet of many coastal regions. The wild fish can grow up to 500 pounds, but smaller sizes are considered best for eating. Halibut offers a mild, tender sweetness with soft flesh, so it excels with mild seasoning. And it’s usually sold in two forms; the fillets and steaks.
Halibut steaks have been proven to be the more resilient of the two since the fish generally doesn’t hold well to long cooking methods. And the steaks can be prepared in several ways, depending on your preference. But whichever one you choose, knowing a few tips still helps, so the technique isn’t wasted on a ruined recipe.
Choosing Halibut Steaks
You can get fresh halibut steaks at coastal fish markets. But if you don’t have those around you, they’re also available in grocery stores and seafood shops. In such places, halibut steaks are sold frozen or in cold storage. But whichever you buy, ensure the door isn’t off or fishy, and the texture is firm and not watery. Also, ensure that the halibut is frozen solid if you aren’t buying it fresh. This state is the most viable proof of its freshness.
Preparing the Halibut Steaks
You can choose to cook your halibut steak skin-on. And if you don’t, carefully cut it off with a thin knife. Ensure to rinse fresh halibut steaks in running water before you season them. And for frozen ones, allow them to fully thaw and come to room temperature before you cook them.
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Seasoning Halibut Steaks
As mentioned before, halibut has a sweet and mild flavor that blends with its tender texture. So, on its own, the fish tastes great. As such, whatever seasoning you add to it would work as a compliment at best. So, keep your dry rubs or spice mixes at moderate amounts when adding them to your fish.
You can also use a marinade for the halibut steaks but ensure it isn’t firmly acidic. Otherwise, the marinade will degrade the fish’s texture, causing it to fall apart as you cook. Even with mild marinades, it’s best to keep the time short. The reason is though the liquid may not be as strong, a longer wait time will give it the chance to react fully.
Cooking Halibut Steaks
Because it’s the most withstanding option, halibut steak features a wide range of dishes. It’s why you’ll find different cooking methods for the fish in you look around. And some of the most common include;
In a Pan
Heat some oil in a non-stick pan at medium-high heat. Then, sear the halibut on one side for five to seven minutes. You’ll notice the fish cooking halfway through, as the underside will get more opaque. Then, flip and sear the other side again for five to seven minutes. Towards the end, melt some butter and herbs in the pan, and baste the fish with it. Then, bring off the heat and serve hot.
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In the Oven
Grease a casserole dish and add the seasoned halibut steak. Then, drizzle more oil on the top and toss the dish in the oven. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, basting the steaks with butter or olive oil halfway through the cooking time.
On the Grill
Season the halibut steaks as desired, then set the grill to medium-high heat. Cook the fish directly on the grill at 10-minute per inch, turning the steak halfway through the time. If the steaks are too small for the rack, use a wire basket. Once the halibut is ready, set down from heat and serve.
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Baked Halibut Steaks (4 Servings)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grease a baking or casserole dish, and prepare the oven to heat up to 450F.
- Put some oil in a saucepan and cook over medium heat. Next, add the onion, zucchini, and garlic, stir and cook for five minutes. Then, take the pot down and stir in the tomatoes, pepper, basil, and salt.
- Place the Halibut steaks in the dish as one layer. Then, scoop equal amounts of the zucchini mixture on each steak, top with equal amounts of the cheese, and put the dish in the oven.
- Bake the halibut steaks for 15 minutes. The fish should be ready when they flake easily with a fork. Serve hot.