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Two servings of Halibut with Braised Lemon Vegetables in white bowl.
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4.39 from 13 votes

Halibut with Lemon Braised Vegetables

Delicate, flaky halibut doesn’t need much to shine when it has the right supporting cast. In this restaurant-style dish, it's butter-basted and paired with baby vegetables braised with lemon for a bright contrast. It's elegant yet unfussy for an exceptional spring dinner for two!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Fish and Seafood
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 large lemon juiced (about 2 tablespoons) plus lemon slices for garnish
  • 2 scallions white and light green part only, chopped
  • 8 baby carrots
  • 6 baby red potatoes quartered
  • 10 baby zucchini
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1 handful Italian parsley leaves about 1/2 cup loosely packed, rough chopped
  • 1/2 cup peas fresh or thawed if frozen
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 fillets (8-ounce) halibut fillets skin removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter softened

Instructions

  • Combine broth and water in a shallow saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Add lemon juice, scallion and carrots.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover slightly and cook carrots 8 to 10 minutes or until you can just barely pierce the carrots.
  • Add potatoes, cover slightly and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.
  • Add zucchini and garlic. Cover slightly and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Stir in thyme, parsley and peas. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Keep warm.
  • Generously season halibut on both sides with salt and black pepper.
  • Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Brown the halibut fillets for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • Add the butter to the pan and when the butter melts, tilt the skillet toward you to pool the butter.
  • With a large soup spoon, begin basting the fish constantly with the bubbling butter for 5 to 6 minutes, returning the pan to a level position over the heat several times to keep the pan evenly hot.
  • Let rest for 1 to 2 minutes for carry-over cooking to finish cooking the fish. The fish is cooked through when firm to the touch and easily flakes with a fork. (Exceptionally thick pieces may need a bit of time in a 400-degree oven.)
  • Serve over braised vegetables and drizzle with butter from pan if desired.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:
  • Almost any type of thick fish fillets will work in addition to salmon.  Try cod, Chilean sea bass, grouper, or mahi mahi.
 
TIPS:
  • When buying, look for Pacific or Alaskan halibut.  It's carefully regulated and one of the most sustainable seafood choices available.
  • Halibut is on the pricey side, so feel free to substitute another mild white fish, such as cod, for this dish.
 
MAKE AHEAD:
  • Cook the potatoes 1 day ahead of time and refrigerate.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 | Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 965mg | Potassium: 5758mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 11108IU | Vitamin C: 439mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 12mg