When the weather starts to warm up, a question comes up almost daily – What to cook, what to cook? We eat more pasta during the colder months, but less and less as it gets warmer – only about two times a week. So, I look for other quick and easy meals to take its place.

That is where this baked halibut recipe comes in handy. It’s easy to make and a light dinner full of flavor – perfect for a warm day. I love making easy fish recipes such as Italian Fish Soup or Baked Trout or even a simple Italian Sauteed Shrimp.

The first time I made this delicious white fish recipe for lunch, my husband’s response after the first taste was, “this is your Mom’s recipe isn’t it”? “Umm yeah it is” and why would he think that? Because he said it reminded him of Canada.

I knew exactly what he meant, it’s the bread stuffing! Look out turkey, baked halibut handles a bread stuffing just as well.

Three fish fillets stuffed in a baking dish.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Halibut fillets – fresh or frozen
Butter – salted softened butter
Chopped celery
Chopped fresh Italian parsley – also known as flat leaf parsely
Diced onion – white onion
Cubed bread slices – day old
Worcestershire sauce
Mayonnaise – whole fat mayo
Red pepper flakes – optional or black pepper

The stuffing is a deliciously creamy combination of mayonnaise, herbs, chopped halibut, and cubed bread. The bread toasts as the fish filets bake creating a nice crunchy topping.

Recipe Steps for Stuffed Baked Halibut

Melt the butter in a frying pan over low heat. Add the celery, onion, and parsley. Cook the vegetables until they softened and then take them off the heat.

Cooking the butter, celery, onion & parsley.

Add the bread cubes to the skillet or bowl and toss them with the cooked veggies and butter.

Mixing the cooked veggies with the bread crumbs.

In a small bowl add one halibut fillet finely chopped, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise and hot pepper flakes if using. With a fork mix almost to form a paste.

Mixing the halibut, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise and hot pepper flakes in a glass bowl.

Place the other fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season them with salt and pepper and then top them with the fish mixture you mixed in the bowl.

Halibut in the glass dish with halibut paste on top.

Spread the bread mixture over the top.

The bread mixture on top of the halibut before baked.

Bake the stuffed halibut until the white flesh of the fish flakes easily with a fork.

The baked stuffed halibut in a glass dish.

For serving, garnish the baked halibut with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper, if you would like.

Is Halibut good for you?

Halibut helps to keep the heart healthy with nutrients such as selenium, magnesium, niacin (vitamin B3), and omega-three fatty acids. Niacin also helps to promote a healthy heart and protects you from developing cardiovascular illness. B3 also helps in protecting your skin from harmful sun rays.

Recipe FAQs

Can you use frozen fish?

For this recipe, I use fresh halibut but frozen is fine, too. Just be sure to thaw it first and pat it dry with a paper towel so there is as little moisture as possible.

How to know when fish is baked

The best way to tell if your fish is done is by using a at the thickest point, and gently twisting the fork. When it’s done the fish will flake easily and it will lose its raw appearance. Or using a thermometer the the internal temperature of cooked fish is 140-145F/ 60-63C degrees.

Stuffed halibut in a pan and a piece on a black plate.

How to store leftover fish

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The leftovers must be stored in the fridge within 2 hours of being baked.

The fish can also be frozen in a freezer container. It will last up to one month in the freezer.

Side Dishes to Serve with White Fish

Italian green beans are an easy side to pair with this dish.
Parmesan cheese potato rounds are a great side, too.
Or try some delicious roasted potatoes, asparagus, or broccoli.
Pair it with a simple salad with some homemade Italian dressing.
For a real treat, add a rice dish like my creamy zucchini risotto.

This is such an easy dinner with nice contrasting textures. The delicate, flaky halibut with the creamy stuffing and toasted bread topping is wonderful. The best lunch or light dinner when you just want something easy and delicious. Buon Appetito!