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    Home » Keto Dinner Ideas » Lemon Garlic Baked Halibut

    Published: Nov 29, 2022 by Carolyn

    Lemon Garlic Baked Halibut

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This baked halibut recipe is a deliciously light and healthy keto dinner idea. It’s topped with lemon and garlic for a bright, fresh flavor. Baked in the oven, this succulent fish takes less than 20 minutes to make!

    A spatula lifting a piece of baked halibut out of the baking dish.

    In the hustle and bustle of daily life, fast and easy recipes like this Baked Halibut come in handy. It looks and tastes like a gourmet meal, but it takes only moments to make. We all know fish is good for us and when it’s this flavorful, it’s easy to make the healthy choice.

    I have a tough time getting my kids to eat fish. So I have to be creative in how I cook it and it has to be really, really good. When it’s done well, we all dig in with gusto and no one complains.

    And I am happy to report that this is one such meal. Pair it with some Cauliflower Risotto and you might just think you’re at a fancy restaurant!

    A piece of baked halibut on a white plate with cauliflower rice, roasted cherry tomatoes, and roasted broccoli.

    Why you need to try this recipe

    Halibut is a wonderful, meaty fish, rich in nutrients and vital Omega 3 fatty acids. Because it’s so highly prized for its flavor, it can be on the expensive side. So you want to make the most of it, and Lemon Garlic Baked Halibut lives up to the promise.

    Oven baking is a great way to serve up halibut filets. It’s simple and straightforward, and makes less of a mess than pan-frying. The lemon garlic topping adds a bright, refreshing flavor to the mild white flesh.

    I adapted the topping from my Greek Lemon Chicken recipe. The moment I created it, I knew I had a winner on my hands that could be used in many different dishes.

    There’s no need to marinate the fish or do any advance prep work. Simply whisk the topping ingredients in a bowl, spread over the fish, and let your oven do the rest of the work.

    Ingredients

    A photo of the ingredients for Lemon Garlic Baked Halibut.
    • Halibut filets: I used halibut that I purchased on sale through Sizzlefish. I always wait for a sale since halibut can be very expensive. But you can also use cod or sablefish for a less expensive option. Opt for wild caught whenever possible.
    • Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil as the basis of the topping. But you could use other oils or fats, like avocado oil, coconut oil, or butter.
    • Lemon: Using both the zest and juice of the lemon gives this baked halibut a bright, fresh flavor.
    • Parsley: Use fresh parsley for the best color and flavor.
    • Garlic: You can use as much fresh garlic as you want. I think 4 cloves is about right. I like to use a garlic press to get it really finely crushed.
    • Dijon mustard: Mustard acts as an emulsifier, allowing the oil to blend well with the lemon juice.
    • Paprika: The paprika in this recipe really just adds a little color to the baked fish.
    • Cherry tomatoes: This is entirely optional, but adding a few halved cherry tomatoes adds a nice colourful touch.
    • Salt and pepper

    Step by step directions

    A collage of four images showing the steps for making baked halibut.

    1. Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.

    2. Spread over fish: Place the halibut in the prepared baking dish, skin-side down. Spread the olive oil mixture evenly over the tops of the fish.

    3. Bake: Place in a 425F oven and bake 6 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets. Then turn on the broiler for one minute to lightly brown the top. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.

    Yes, it really is THAT easy to make this delicious baked halibut.

    A fork flaking a piece of baked halibut to check for doneness.

    Expert tips

    As with any fish, it’s important not to overcook the halibut. Be mindful of how thick your filets are, as that will determine the overall cooking time. I found that 7 minutes of baking and 1 minute under the broiler was perfect for 1-inch filets. Thicker cuts will require more time.

    Always test doneness by flaking the fish lightly with a fork. The ends will cook faster so try flaking in the center of the thickest filet. If the flesh is opaque and flakes easily, it’s ready.

    Halibut is highly prized, and as such, is also relatively expensive. I only ever purchase it when I see a sale. But you can easily sub another mild, firm white fish such as cod and get wonderful results. Cod cooks at about the same rate as halibut so it’s a good option for this recipe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What temperature should baked halibut be?

    If you prefer to test the internal temperature of the fish, look for it to reach 130 to 135F on an instant read thermometer. That should be a good temperature for flaky but firm halibut.

    Is halibut good for keto?

    Halibut is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, make it perfect for the keto diet. This baked halibut recipe has 4g of carbohydrate and 0.5 g of fiber per serving.

    How do you store baked halibut?

    Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat very gently to avoid over-cooking. I recommend allowing it to come to room temperature, then warming in a 300ºF oven.

    Top down image of lemon garlic baked halibut in the baking pan.

    More easy keto fish recipes

    • Crispy Keto Fish Sticks
    • Easy Baked Shrimp
    • Keto Seafood Chowder
    • Oven Roasted Salmon
    • Pecan Crusted Salmon
    • Easy Keto Tuna Patties
    A spatula lifting a piece of baked halibut out of the baking dish.

    Baked Halibut Recipe

    This baked halibut recipe is a deliciously light and healthy keto dinner idea. It's topped with lemon and garlic for a bright, fresh flavor. Baked in the oven, this succulent fish takes less than 20 minutes to make!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: baked halibut recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 264kcal

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika
    • 4 halibut filets 4 to 6 ounces each
    • ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425ºF and brush a ceramic baking dish with olive oil.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Place the halibut in the prepared baking dish, skin-side down. Spread the olive oil mixture evenly over the tops of the fish.
    • Bake 6 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets. 7 minutes is about right for 1-inch filets. Then turn on the broiler for one minute to lightly brown the tops. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.

    Notes

    Storage Information: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat very gently to avoid over-cooking. I recommend allowing it to come to room temperature, then warming in a 300ºF oven.
    Checking for doneness: Test by flaking the fish lightly with a fork. The ends will cook faster so try flaking in the center of the thickest filet. If the flesh is opaque and flakes easily, it’s ready. If you prefer to use an instant read thermometer, it should reach at least 130ºF. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Baked Halibut Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
    Calories 264 Calories from Fat 132
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 14.7g23%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 0.5g2%
    Protein 26.9g54%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    794 shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenn D says

      January 17, 2023 at 8:07 pm

      Dinner Tonight! Haha! Recipe calls for 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes…. but no mention after the ingredients list…. ooops… but thanks for a luscious dinner recipe. you rock girl!

      Reply
    2. Lanée Johnson says

      November 29, 2022 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      I know you are the Queen B of all things Keto/LC desserts, but you also make a mean (and EASY!) fish entree! I’m from New England, so I used cod instead of halibut and it was super delicious! I didn’t know what was going to be for dinner tonight until my email told me so, lol! Thanks, Carolyn!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 29, 2022 at 8:35 pm

        Fantastic!

        Reply

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