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Restaurant Quality Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce

Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce

This Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce is a restaurant quality meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes. Featuring firm, flaky halibut fillets with a golden brown crust, this dish is finished with a velvety butter sauce, bright lemon juice, and briny capers. It is the perfect elegant dinner for date nights or special occasions when you want high end flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh halibut skinned and cut into two equal portions
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3-4 slices Meyer lemon or regular lemon
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup white wine such as Chardonnay
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons capers drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Pat the halibut fillets very dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the top side with a small amount of kosher salt.
  • In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Once the butter begins to slightly brown and sizzle, add the halibut fillets to the pan, top side down. Sprinkle the back of the fish with the remaining salt and pepper.
  • Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. Carefully flip the fillets using a fish spatula.
  • Add the lemon slices to the pan alongside the fish. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
  • Transfer the fish and the lemon slices to a warm platter.
  • Pour the cooking fat into a small bowl. Let the burnt bits settle, then skim 2 tablespoons of the clean fat back into the skillet.
  • With the heat still at medium, add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the white wine and stir, allowing it to simmer and reduce slightly.
  • Stir in the lemon juice, capers, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until a glossy sauce forms.
  • Place the halibut back into the pan for 30 seconds, spooning the sauce over the top. Serve immediately with the pan roasted lemon slices.