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Simple Grilled Halibut Recipe

In our Simple Grilled Halibut Recipe we’re taking freshly caught halibut filets and cooking them right on our pellet grill. While any grill will work, whether you’ve got gas, charcoal, a stick burning smoker, or whatever else, utilizing a pellet grill allows for precision in temperature control and the mild smoke contributes an additional layer of flavor without detracting from the halibut’s natural taste.

Pellet Grilled Halibut

Traeger Grilled Halibut Recipe

If you get the privilege of enjoying freshly caught halibut, it is important to treat it with respect and that means not screwing it up by overcooking, over or under seasoning, or wasting it on a recipe that you aren’t sure will turn out.

We catch our own halibut here, and if you think halibut is expensive when you buy it from the store you should see how spendy it gets when you’re catching it yourself. You just make a point to not do that math. ??

Either way, this incredible fish should be respected and cooked using methods and techniques that ensure that the final result is as good as you can possibly get, and that’s something everyone will enjoy it and feel treated by, with this special fish.

Our simple grilled halibut recipe is easy and incredible. Salt, pepper, thyme, and lemon are used to gently flavor the fish, and the even mellow wood fire cooking from the pellet grill is perfect.

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Simple Grilled Halibut

Grilled Halibut shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Halibut filets
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh thyme
  • Garlic paste
  • Butter
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Lemons

Try our Halibut Fish and Chips too!

Simple Grilled Halibut

How to make Halibut on the Pellet Grill

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

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Preheat

Fire up the grill and get it preheating to 425°F.

2

Prep

Spread the olive oil on a baking sheet.

Cut the fish into approximately 6 ounce portions. Put it on the prepped baking sheet. Mix together the garlic paste and butter.

Sprinkle the fish with the salt and pepper and spread on the garlic butter mixture. Add the fresh thyme on top and then place the lemons on top of all of it.

Slice your cherry tomatoes in half. Put them on the baking sheet too.

3

Cook

Put the baking sheet into the grill and let it cook for approximately 15 minutes, but always cook to temperature and not to time. You want the internal temperature to be 125°F-130°F for the best final texture.

4

Enjoy

Serve with a salad, some grilled vegetables, or some hearty mushroom risotto.

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Simple Grilled Halibut

Grilled Halibut FAQ

What are the best cooking methods for halibut?

Halibut is very versatile. It can be sautéed in a pan on the stovetop, grilled, cooked in the oven, sous vide, or fried. The key to a great piece of halibut mostly is ensuring that you’re getting fresh, high-quality fish. The other important factors are to season it properly and to NOT overcook.

How long should you cook a piece of halibut?

Until its done. ?

Kidding, but also not kidding. Never cook to time. Always cook to temp/texture. Halibut is best when it cooks to 125°-130°F.

Do you rinse Halibut before cooking?

Nah. If you’re getting high quality fish you don’t need to rinse it before cooking. The same goes for chicken, by the way. Quit. Rinsing. Your. Proteins.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

Nope! Fish is best served immediately after coming off the heat source. You don’t want to make this ahead of time. Plus – it is such a fast and easy recipe. Cooking it ahead of time is entirely unnecessary.

Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Halibut

Simple Grilled Halibut

More great fish recipes to love!

  • Traeger Orange Salmon is a quick and flavor-packed recipe that’s the perfect way to whip up that fresh salmon you just caught (or bought). Big bright flavors make it perfect to serve with some stir fried veggies and steamed rice.
  • If you have a craving for some crunch, our Cornmeal Fried Fish is a great option for any fresh fish you have around!
  • If you have more halibut to use, try our Air Fryer Halibut Scampi! It is a simple and easy recipe that cooks right in your air fryer.
  • This Blackstone Sturgeon with Lemon Cream Sauce is one of the best meals I’ve ever tasted. If you don’t have fresh sturgeon, you can use this recipe with any white fish and it’ll still be delicious.

Grilled Halibut
Yield: 4 servings

Traeger Grilled Halibut

Traeger Grilled Halibut

This fresh, delicious halibut recipe is cooked on the pellet grill, and is a perfect lunch or dinner option! Use this method for any fresh white fish.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds halibut filets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • 2 lemons, sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat your pellet grill to 425°F.
  2. Cut your fish into six ounce portions. Oil the bottom of a grill safe baking sheet with the olive oil. Place your fish onto the baking sheet.
  3. Season the fish with the salt and pepper.
  4. Mix together the butter and garlic paste, and spread the the mixture on top of the fish filets. Add the fresh thyme to the top of the fish. Thinly slice your lemons and layer the top of the fish with the slices.
  5. Slice your cherry tomatoes in half and put them on the cookie sheet all around the pieces of fish.
  6. Place the sheet onto your grill.
  7. Let cook for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F-130°F. If you are sourcing your fish from quality sources, medium rare fish is the way.
  8. Serve hot with a side of steamed rice, a fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or some grilled vegetables.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 593mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 45g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Nicole Johnson
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Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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