FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Grilled Halibut Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Grill Halibut
• How Long To Grill Halibut?
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• More Grilled Seafood Recipes
• My Tools For This Recipe
• Grilled Halibut (15-Min Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

If you’ve ever tried baked halibut or quick pan seared halibut (my favorite fish recipe tied with crispy air fryer salmon !), you’ll find a familiar flavor in this easy grilled halibut recipe. It combines buttery fish, bright lemon, and aromatic garlic with the sizzling char of the grill.

With just four simple ingredients, grilling halibut creates mouthwatering flavor with super simple prep (and it takes only 15 minutes!). Make this grilling recipe for your next cookout when you want to change things up from your usual burgers . And, if you want more grilled seafood, try my grilled tuna steak next!

Why You Need My Grilled Halibut Recipe

• Flaky, buttery texture
• Bright, zesty, lemony taste
• 4 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper)
• 15 minute cook time
• Naturally low carb, gluten free, and just plain healthy
• Perfect for summer dinners

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my halibut recipes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Halibut Fillets – I use 1-inch thick fillets for grilling halibut. You can use halibut steak with or without skin, but I recommend skin-on to reduce the chance of overcooking or falling apart.
• Olive Oil – Adds flavor and helps the seasonings stick. Feel free to use any heat-safe oil you like, such as avocado oil.
• Lemon Juice – Infuses the fish with tangy flavor and tenderizes the flesh. You can try substituting lime juice or even a splash of white wine vinegar for a slightly different flavor.
• Seasoning – Season this white fish with a simple combination of garlic powder , sea salt, and black pepper.

VARIATION: Try a different seasoning.

If you like the lemon flavors, but prefer a dry seasoning, use 3-4 teaspoons of lemon pepper seasoning instead. For a spicy kick, try Cajun seasoning or a zesty jerk seasoning .

How To Grill Halibut

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Prep the grill. Clean the grates of your grill with an oiled paper towel before cooking/preheating. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Prep the seasonings. Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. In another small bowl, stir together garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Season the fish. Pat halibut fillets dry with paper towels. Brush the lemon and oil mixture on each fillet. Sprinkle the fish with the salt, pepper and garlic powder mixture.

1. Cook halibut on the grill. Place the fish on the grill, skin side down. Close the lid and grill until the edges are opaque. Flip, close the lid, and cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
2. Let it rest. Transfer grilled halibut to a plate and rest for a few minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.

How Long To Grill Halibut?

Grill halibut for 5-7 minutes, until the edges are opaque, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F.

My Recipe Tips

• Oil the grill grates. Halibut can fall apart very easily on the grill. To avoid this, make sure to thoroughly oil the grates of your grill, and don’t flip the fish until it easily releases from the grates.
• Start skin side down. If cooking halibut with skin, cook skin side down first. This will help protect the delicate flesh from overcooking and makes it easier to flip.
• Use a meat thermometer. Halibut dries out easily, so make sure to monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking. The ideal internal temp is 135-140 degrees F.
• Don’t overcook. A 1-inch filet should take about 8-10 minutes total, whereas a thinner filet may only take 6-8 minutes. As a rule of thumb, grill halibut for approximately 8-10 minutes per 1 inch of thickness over high heat (total time, not per side).

Find more tips for grilled fish in my grilled salmon recipe post.

Serving Ideas

Complement the flavors of my grilled halibut with light and easy sides. Here are a few ideas:

• Summer Salads – After grilling halibut, make an easy grilled peach salad . For a classic side salad, try a strawberry spinach salad or cucumber tomato salad .
• Grilled Sides – I like to do all my cooking in one place. This flaky fish pairs beautifully with bright grilled asparagus , grilled broccoli , or grilled cauliflower . For a side that has more unique vibes, try my cauliflower steaks .
• Rice – White or brown rice makes a classic pairing for any fish dinner. For a lighter option, make cauliflower rice .
• Creamy Salads – During grilling season, you can’t go wrong with classic summer sides like potato salad (or cauliflower potato salad ), make-ahead coleslaw , or crunchy broccoli slaw .
• Veggies – For a simple side, make an eggplant recipe or a medly of sauteed vegetables . Or, use up your summer harvest and make roasted zucchini and squash .

More Grilled Seafood Recipes

I love seafood, and cooking it on the grill creates incredible flavor. Here are some of my favorite grilled seafood recipes:

My Tools For This Recipe

• Grill – I prefer to use a gas grill when grilling halibut (or any meat), and this one comes from a trusted brand.
• Probe Thermometer – Because grilling halibut can dry the fish out quickly, I recommend a probe thermometer that beeps as soon as the food reaches the target temperature.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 6-oz Halibut fillets (1 inch thick) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 3/4 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Clean the grates of your grill with an oiled paper towel before cooking/preheating. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes .
2. Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. In another small bowl, stir together garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush the lemon and oil mixture on each fillet. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder mixture.
5. Place the halibut on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 5-7 minutes , until the edges are opaque, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C). (You can cook to 145 degrees F if you really want to, but the fish will be more dry.)
6. Transfer the fish to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before serving. (This allows the juices to redistribute for a juicy, flavorful result, and the internal temperature will rise a few more degrees.)

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 grilled halibut fillet

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you keep halibut from falling apart, cook it evenly, and avoid drying it out!
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Drizzle with oil and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or warm on the grill wrapped in foil.
• Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in a bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Grilled Halibut

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Grilled Halibut (15-Min Recipe)

This easy grilled halibut recipe with lemon and garlic is perfect for summer! It’s flaky, buttery, bright, and made with just 4 ingredients.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/grilled-halibut/

Ingredients

• 4 6-oz Halibut fillets (1 inch thick)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Clean the grates of your grill with an oiled paper towel before cooking/preheating. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes .
2. Pat the halibut fillets dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. In another small bowl, stir together garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush the lemon and oil mixture on each fillet. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder mixture.
5. Place the halibut on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 5-7 minutes , until the edges are opaque, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C). (You can cook to 145 degrees F if you really want to, but the fish will be more dry.)
6. Transfer the fish to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before serving. (This allows the juices to redistribute for a juicy, flavorful result, and the internal temperature will rise a few more degrees.)

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 grilled halibut fillet

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you keep halibut from falling apart, cook it evenly, and avoid drying it out!
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Drizzle with oil and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or warm on the grill wrapped in foil.
• Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in a bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)