Golden Baked Halibut in Herb Cream Sauce
Looking for a delicious and FAST main dish recipe that’s served in under an hour? This Golden Baked Halibut in Herb Cream Sauce is just perfect for you. We had some halibut filets, and I had about 30 recipes to try… so to make it easy on myself, I asked my husband to take a look at the recipes and pick one out. I’d make whichever recipe he selected. And it’s a winner! I didn’t know he could read recipes so well! A new kitchen helper in the works!
There are some recipes that remind you why simple cooking is often the most satisfying. This golden-baked halibut is one of those dishes: tender, flaky fish baked over a bed of sweet, sliced onions with butter, herbs, and a crisp, savory breadcrumb topping.
It is rustic, comforting, and elegant all at once — the kind of fish recipe that feels special enough for company, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. And man, is this recipe easy!
The halibut bakes beautifully in the oven, set on top of sliced onions and butter. The tops of the fish turn golden and slightly crispy. As the onions soften beneath, they become sweet and delicate in the buttery, herb-laced sauce mixed on top. The result is a simple baked fish dinner with wonderful flavor, texture, and old-fashioned comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Halibut Recipe
- Super easy to prepare, yet tastes rich and satisfying
- Made with simple ingredients
- Full of buttery, savory flavor
- Halibut stays moist and flaky under a beautiful golden ‘crust’
- Perfect for halibut steaks or thick fish fillets
- Lovely for Sunday dinner, Lent, or any fish dinner
- Delicious served with vegetables, potatoes, rice, or a crisp green salad
OK, so . . . Andiamo a Cucina! Let’s get to the kitchen!
Ingredients That You’ll Need
- Halibut steaks or thick halibut fillets
- Sweet onions, sliced into rings
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmigiana cheese
- Garlic powder or fresh minced garlic
- Dried thyme, dried basil, seasoned salt, and lemon pepper
- Salt and black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
- Fresh Italian parsley and ground paprika for garnish (optional)
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How to Make Golden Baked Halibut in Herb Cream Sauce
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Lightly butter or oil the pan.
- Arrange the sliced onions in the bottom of the baking pan. Dot the onions with butter.
- Place the halibut steaks on top of the onions and butter.
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream with the mayonnaise and all of the herbs/seasonings. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture to serve at the table.
- Generously spread the mixture over each halibut steak/filet. Pour dollops of the sauce all over the onions and butter.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmigiana cheese all over the halibut and, if you want, over the onions too.
- Next, sprinkle the breadcrumbs all over the fish, and if you want, sprinkle some on top of the onions too.,
- Bake until the fish is opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown. Depending on the halibut’s thickness, this usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- For extra color, place the fish briefly under the broiler during the final minute or two, watching carefully so the topping turns golden without burning.
- Garnish with minced Italian parsley and a sprinkle of ground paprika (not shown, but a great idea!).
- Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley.
Bella’s Tips and Kitchen Notes
Halibut is a lean, firm white fish, so the butter and onions help keep it moist while it bakes. The onions also add a gentle sweetness that balances beautifully with the savory breadcrumbs and herbs.
If your halibut steaks are very thick, allow a few extra minutes of baking time. If using thinner fillets, begin checking earlier so the fish does not overcook and become dry.
You can also use this same method with cod, haddock, sea bass, grouper, or another firm white fish.
What to Serve with Golden Baked Halibut in Herb Cream Sauce
This baked halibut is delicious with simple vegetables (colorful and mixed veggies go really well with the white fish and sauce), sauteed broccoli or asparagus, roasted golden potatoes, rice pilaf, or a green salad.
For an Italian-inspired dinner, serve it with:
- Roasted green beans
- Lemon asparagus
- Garlic sautéed spinach
- Creamy polenta
- Roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes
- A crisp fennel and orange salad
Here’s the fish slider sammie that I made with leftovers for lunch the next day!
More Delicious Fish Recipes For You
Grilled Italian Swordfish with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce
Perfect Garlic Butter Blackened Redfish
The BEST Tuscan Salmon in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Salmon, Peas, and Asparagus with Pasta in Lemon Cream Sauce
Italian Seasoned Salmon Burgers with Garlic Aioli
Baja Fish Tacos with Chipotle, Cilantro & Lime Crema
Panko and Italian Herb~Crusted Perch Filets
Encrusted Ahi Tuna Pupus ~ Aloha from the Islands / Honolulu, Hawaii
Baked Salmon in Lemon Garlic Sauce
15 Minute Easy, Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Filets
Amazing Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi with Papaya Salsa
and one last thought . . .
This golden baked halibut with onions and buttered breadcrumbs is proof that a few simple ingredients can create something truly memorable. It is humble, beautiful, and full of flavor — the kind of dish that belongs at the family table.
Serve it hot from the oven with lemon, vegetables, and a little extra pan sauce spooned over the top. Simple, golden, and absolutely delicious.
Golden Baked Halibut in Herb Cream Sauce
Ingredients
Halibut
- 4 halibut steaks/filets
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 stick butter
For the Herb Cream Sauce
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs (or panko)
- 1 cup grated (fresh) Parmigiano cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F degrees (or heat up a grill)
For The Herb Cream Sauce
- Mix everything together.
- Set aside about 1 cup of sauce to serve at the table and pass around to guests.
For the Halibut Filets/Steaks
- Slice the onion and separate the rings to place a layer on a baking sheet.
- Slice the butter and place the slices all over the top of the onion rings (see photo).
- Place the halibut steaks on top of onion ring slices and the butter.
- Spread some herb cream sauce over the top of each halibut steak/filet.
- Sprinkle Parmigiano cheese all over the halibut.
- Sprinkle the Italian breadcrumbs all over the halibut.
- Place dollops of the herb cream sauce all over the onion slices and butter.
- Bake in 400 F degree oven for 20 minutes. You can also grill these on a medium heat.
- Cover with aluminum foil.
- Garnish with sprinkles of ground paprika (optional).
- Remove the foil for 5 more minutes to 'brown' or make the top of the fish more golden. However, while doing so, keep a sharp eye on the fish and remove before it begins to burn.
- Serve with freshly-sliced lemon wedges and extra herb cream sauce that you set aside before.
- Serve with brightly-colored mixed vegetables or bright green veggies, such as steamed broccoli, peas, or asparagus.
- Buon Appetito!
- ~ Roz
