Cooking Halibut: Tips and Techniques

Cooking halibut has long been a popular sport in Alaska. The large white fish is delicious when it is prepared in the traditional way, but it can also be served a number of other ways as well. This article examines the different ways that people prepare the fish in a variety of dishes and explains why it is so versatile.

cooking halibut

One of the most common uses for halibut is to prepare it for frying. Many people use fresh halibut from the Alaskan wild in this process. Halibut tail is best marinated in lime juice overnight and then allowed to drain while being washed in warm water, being sure to rinse well. Halibut is often served with potatoes, breaded shrimp and salmon, and can also be served with salmon baked in an aluminum pan.

Another popular method of cooking halibut tail is to cook it very slowly over low heat. Cooked halibut tail tends to come to the same temperature as cooking whitefish. When using halibut tail, cooking times can vary depending on individual taste. The fish can be served with its tail on top or as a filet mignon.

In Japan, halibut is often barbecued. The fat content in the fish makes it easier to brown the meat without releasing the grill-like flavor. A traditional Japanese dish, okay (which means raw fish) is prepared with thinly sliced halibut topped with soy sauce, wasabi, and shiitake mushrooms for a delicious, subtly sweet treat. It can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Many Chinese restaurants prepare fish curry, a dish made with a blend of Chinese yellow fin tuna, Chinese yellowtail squid and spices to create a tantalizing variation on the basic fish curry. Preparing this type of dish is very easy because the ingredients are available at most Asian food stores and even supermarket convenience and drugstores. Because this preparation requires the use of exotic spices, it’s best to purchase them well in advance to ensure that they are available when you need them. If you prepare this dish at home, keep in mind that halibut is a delicate fish that needs to be cooked slowly and carefully.

Whether you prepare your halibut fillets the old-fashioned way, on a spit or on a plate, or make a fresh catch yourself, don’t be surprised if you have to take some cooking lessons to get your fish cooked to perfection. Halibut can be a tricky fish to cook because of its size and habits of swimming. Knowing how to cook halibut will let you enjoy this delicious fish once you have mastered the technique. As long as you remember these cooking tips, you can be sure to prepare delicious halibut for parties, dinners and other special occasions.