Seared Halibut with Lemon Brown Butter

Instructions

1. Preparation
   01

   Dry and Season the Fish

   Take some paper towels and pat your skinless halibut fillets completely dry so you can build a killer crust that seals in all those natural juices. Once they are dry, generously coat both sides with the garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.

   1 1/2 lb skinless halibut fillets3 g garlic powder2.3 g paprika6 g salt1 g black pepperPaper Towels
2. Stovetop Cooking
   02

   Get a Golden Sear

   Warm your olive oil in a large non-stick skillet set over medium-high heat until it has a nice shimmer to it. Lay the fillets down in a single layer with plenty of breathing room, and let them cook without nudging them around until the edges look opaque and the underside turns deeply golden brown.

   04:00

   1 tbsp olive oil1 1/2 lb skinless halibut filletsLarge Non-Stick Skillet
3. 03

   Flip and Check Doneness

   Slide a fish spatula underneath to gently flip each piece over, cooking until the flesh flakes tenderly with a fork and your instant-read thermometer reads between 135°F and 140°F. Transfer the fillets onto a clean plate and tent them loosely with foil to stay warm while they rest.

   04:00

   1 1/2 lb skinless halibut filletsFish SpatulaInstant Read ThermometerAluminum Foil
4. Finishing Touches
   04

   Brown Your Butter

   Drop the heat under the skillet down to medium-low, then drop in your salted butter. Let it melt and swirl it around now and then until it smells delightfully nutty and the little milk solids take on a toasted amber shade, keeping a close eye on it so it doesn't scorch or break.

   03:00

   2 oz salted butterLarge Non-Stick Skillet
5. 05

   Simmer the Sauce and Plate Up

   Stir your freshly squeezed lemon juice right into that browned butter, letting it bubble gently until the liquid cooks down by half. Expect a light, pourable pan sauce; spoon a pool of it across each plate, set your rested halibut right on top, and finish with one more spoonful drizzled over the crust.

   04:00

   3 tbsp lemon juiceLarge Non-Stick Skillet