Flaky halibut filets are simply seasoned and grilled, then topped with a fresh and easy tomato avocado salsa in this healthy and fast, three-step recipe.
Halibut. Swordfish. Salmon. I’m always drawn to these dishes on a restaurant menu. But the truth is, I rarely order fish at restaurants simply because I know I can make it better at home.
Knowing how to grill fish is something every home cook should master. The thing is, it really isn’t that hard. It’s simple, it’s fast and it’s healthy.
But let’s get one thing straight. Just because a recipe is simple does not mean it should go flavorless. With halibut’s mild flavor, the fresh addition of sliced tomatoes and avocado with a touch of light balsamic is all that’s needed for a truly tempting summer meal.
Unless you want to give my mango salsa a try :).
This recipe is part of my Weekend Eats series, where I’m sharing a seasonal recipe idea for what to have for dinner come Saturday and Sunday, with the occasional breakfast or brunch thrown in. Rounding out the posts are a few suggestions of what to pair with my main dish, recipes from other food bloggers at the bottom of this post.
About the Recipe
The key to a great fish recipe is the freshness of the fish. These days, it just isn’t that hard to get fresh fish whether you live in Oklahoma or Alaska. Fish is most often flash frozen on the ship with the freshness sealed before it even leaves the boat. I always buy my fish from either my local reputable fish market or I find great fresh fish at Costco.
While I used halibut in this recipe, the method and the toppings would work just as well for grilled salmon, swordfish or tuna. Be sure to oil your grates well so the fish doesn’t stick, and like meat, it will release from the grates once it’s gotten a good sear and is cooked on one side. I grill the halibut with my gas grill lid down for the first turn, then leave it open while cooking the other side.
Your grilling time will depend on how thick your fish is and how hot your grill gets. You’ll know the fish is ready to be flipped when it begins to turn opaque and is slightly firm to the touch. To get those pretty sear marks, be sure the grill is good and hot then gently press the fish into the grates when you place it on the grill.
Because this is such a simple recipe without a bunch of marinade flavorings, be sure to season your fish generously with salt and pepper. It’s where the flavoring starts.
My husband is always partial to a basic tartar or cucumber dill sauce for his grilled fish—I have a tasty recipe here. But with a crisper full of fresh fruits and veg that I don’t want to see go to waste, I made two salsas to pop on top. I’ve provided the recipe for this super simple tomato and avo salsa below. It’s really more like a caprese in ingredients, but whatever, today we’re calling it salsa. I also made up a batch of my mango salsa for the family to choose from. It’s sweet with mango, strawberries and avocado with cilantro and a touch of heat.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrusheats.
Grilled Halibut with Tomato Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 6- ounce halibut filets
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the Tomato Avocado Salsa
- 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted and chopped
- ½ shallot thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs basil leaves only, slivered
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons golden balsamic vinegar I use DeLallo brand
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the grill on high heat. Drizzle the halibut filets with olive oil and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Oil the grill grates with grapeseed oil then place the filets on the grill. Gently press the fish down on the grate and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- While fish is cooking, add the sliced cherry tomatoes, avocado, shallot, and basil to a medium size bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and golden balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Top the fish with the Tomato and Avocado Salsa or try this Mango Salsa for a sweeter taste.
Recipes to Round Out Your Weekend Eats
I paired a super simple salad of arugula with just a bit of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon with my fish dish, but I think the recipes below would make a bang up weekend grilling menu.
Summertime weekend eats demand a refreshing cocktail to get things going. I’m not a huge gin fan so this Cucumber Basil Vodka Gimlet, recipe here, is the drink for me.
In pairing a side with the halibut I want something that isn’t going to dominate the flavors of the tomato salsa. You know, because I like to mix everything together in each forkful. This Toasted Almond and Herbed Brown Rice keeps the meal healthy and the nuts add crunch, recipe here. A perfect pairing!
After this healthy dinner, it’s time to blow it up with a cool dessert. I’m always partial to brownies in chocolate ice cream so this Mexican Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream, recipe here, is right within my lickable wheelhouse.
As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest?
Thanks for reading and subscribe to FoodieCrush to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Delicious recipe ….. had it with fresh caught Halibut….. one thing you must have is a white balsamic vinegar….. it calls for golden balsamic but is difficult to find…
Will definitely use this as a go to recipe!!!
I’m glad you enjoyed Carol!
Super easy and delicious!
That’s great to hear Mari!
I came across this recipe when searching for a fish recipe that used tomato and avocado (my first big tomato from my garden and an avocado that was perfectly ripe)..
I used black (rock) cod that baked in the oven.
This was excellent!! My husband and I both loved it!! Thank you!
That sounds incredible! Thanks for the comment, Maryann
I don’t have a grill. I assume that the recipe would work just as well if I bake the fish
Linda
Hi Linda, absolutely try this fish baked. It would be delicious.
This was a great, quick and delicious dinner to pull together on a day that I had spent cooking other things and really didn’t feel like making dinner. My family really liked it. Thanks for a great recipe!
Oh so delicious!
This is amazing; and so simple and fresh. The mango salsa intrigued me but what I did was just add the manyo and cilantro to the avocado and omitted the basil. I would eat this regularly if only halibut wasn’t so expensive. I will try it with other fish and chicken too. Just so clean!
It should read mango, not manyo
This looks SO delicious! We’re so addicted to avocados here…this will definitely be going on the menu soon! And I am going to be featuring it tonight.
I made this last week and OMG was it amazing!! I bought my halibut at WF and it was the best fish I’ve ever had… and probably the most expensive HA! but That fresh tomato salsa is to die for!! I actually made the salsa again and put it in breakfast tacos w/ scrambled egg and feta cheese. DELISH! My boyfriend has already asked me to make this again :)
I love that you loved it too! Thank you for letting me know!
This looks so fresh and light, just the kind of dinner I’m craving when temps are 100+. Love that salsa!
So many beautiful colours!!! Your mango salsa looks like summer in a bowl. I’m not a big fish fan but I do love shellfish. I’ll probably be trying this with shrimp.
When the man is home I let him do the grilling, but I love to make fish! Salmon and Halibut are my favorite, now I really want to try them with this salsa and mango salsa. :) Yum!
This looks so summery and delicious!
I love grilled fish, but have yet to master it on the grill. You inspired me to give it another try. Thanks!
Wow this looks to die for! I love making fish at home! It somehow always turns out better doesn’t it? This salsa looks superb as well!
Looks really yummy. I’m making it today!