Halibut With Brown Butter, Lemon and Sage

Halibut With Brown Butter, Lemon and Sage
Karsten Moran for The New York Times
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(1,859)
Comments
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This is a simple method for cooking firm, white-fleshed fish on the stovetop from start to finish. If halibut is not available, use thick flounder fillets, snapper, grouper or large sea scallops. The flavor of sage permeates the quick, easy pan sauce and the buttery bread crumbs provide crunchy texture.

Featured in: A Quick-Seared Fish That Sizzles and Satisfies

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • About 1½ pounds halibut fillets (or other firm white-fleshed fish), cut into 4 pieces
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 4tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12 to 15fresh sage leaves
  • 2tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼cup coarse homemade bread crumbs, toasted
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped parsley
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

358 calories; 21 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 33 grams protein; 496 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Season fish on both sides with plenty of salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2

    Pour oil into a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron or nonstick) and set over medium-high heat. When oil is hot (but not smoking), swirl to evenly coat the pan, then add fish in a single layer. Let cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes, until first side is nicely browned. Adjust the heat as needed to produce a steady sizzle and prevent scorching.

  3. Step 3

    Flip and cook fish for about another 3 minutes, until just done. (To test for doneness, use a fork to gently probe the flesh: it should flake easily.) Transfer cooked fish to a warm platter or serving plates.

  4. Step 4

    Make the sauce: Place skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat. Add butter and sage leaves. Cook butter, swirling the pan, until foamy and just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Turn off heat and stir in lemon juice.

  5. Step 5

    Spoon butter sauce and sage leaves over fish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and parsley. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,859 user ratings
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Comments

If you want to get a nice brown crust on your fish, be sure to dry it on both sides with a paper towel. Some cooks even use a light dusting of Wondra, a very fine flour to help absorb any moisture that would otherwise steam the fish instead of searing.

Yes! I do this too - and get the fish closer to room temperature - right out of the fridge the cold fish sticks to the hot pan.

Capers.

I made this tonight with minor changes. I didn't have any sage, and my wife doesn't like it anyway, but we did have fresh marjoram in our garden, and that was a great substitute. The halibut wasn't very thick, and we like our fish on the rare side, so I seared it only 2 minutes on each side in the cast iron skillet, using ghee instead of oil. In any case it was delicious, with parsley and shiso (a Japanese herb leaf) from our garden.

Brined in salt bath for 30 minutes, patted dry and dredged in salt and pepper seasoned gluten free flour. Sauteed in sage butter until loosened from pan and golden brown on each side. Finished off at 400 degree convection roast. Basting throughout baking process. Produced a fabulous flaky fish with crispy sage leaves. Served with jasmine rice infused with lemon zest.

I felt like I made a restaurant level halibut dish. Insanely good and easy to make. Will absolutely make again.

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