We can’t believe school is already back in session! For us, this means trying to get back into a rhythm of meal planning and prepping for the week. We usually opt for quicker weeknight meals that still keep things healthy. Fish is one of those proteins that can be prepared quickly and taste delicious without overdoing it on calories. This Pecan Crusted Halibut recipe pairs well with any favorite side dish and is perfect to enjoy now and all throughout the fall!
Halibut can be pricey but it’s one of our favorite types of fish. It’s meatier than a lot of other fish, very high in protein, and versatile, lending itself to multiple preparation options. Whenever we see fresh halibut on sale, we absolutely add it to our weekly rotation. We were able to get fresh Alaskan halibut on sale this week at Central Market for $19.99/lb so onto the menu it went.
We like crusting our halibut because it adds an additional layer of texture to the dish. We’ve experimented with many different crusts, but love the flavor of pecans. You could definitely replace the pecans with an alternate nut depending on preference. Macadamia nuts could be fun for a more tropical dish, while pistachios might be good for a more Mediterranean style dish.
Once you’ve coated your fish in the pecan crust, sear it in a pre-heated skillet. Having the skillet already hot is key to ensuring it cooks properly. You don’t want to have the skillet TOO hot though, as this will cause the pecans to burn. One of the best parts about cooking fish is how quickly it cooks! Depending on the thickness of your halibut, you will sear it for just about 5 minutes on each side.
Tonight, we paired our pecan crusted halibut with a fresh fennel, avocado, and citrus salad. Here’s a similar fennel salad recipe, if you are interested. We like the salad route because the whole meal comes together in about half an hour. It’s also a perfect light combination for the summer, but we could imagine serving this with some brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes come fall. Of course, you can always go with some classic roasted potatoes as well. Bon Appetit!
Ingredients
Method
- Pulse the pecans in a food processor until you get a coarse meal. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a kitchen mallet to crush the pecans in a ziplock bag. Add the crushed pecans into a shallow bowl.
- Crack and whisk the egg in another shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Season the halibut filet generously with salt and pepper.
- Dip the halibut filet into the whisked egg mixture, and then coat in the pecan meal and set aside onto a large plate.
- Heat up the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear on each side for about 7 minutes, gently using a fish spatula to turn the fish. Time will vary depending on the thickness of your halibut.