This oven-baked Pistachio Crusted Halibut is a delicious main course dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions. You’ll have a healthy dinner on the table in just 20 minutes!
This nut-crusted halibut recipe is a fun and easy way to enjoy a fish dinner any day of the week! It only requires five minutes of prep work, then the oven takes care of the rest. All you need is a small handful of simple ingredients to make this flavor-packed main dish. Fresh halibut is seasoned with savory spices and creamy mayonnaise then topped with crushed pistachios and baked until perfectly flaky and tender.
Enjoy this pistachio-crusted fish as the centerpiece for a family dinner or when hosting a dinner party. Serve it with roasted veggies and grains for a full-spread meal or add to a salad or wraps for a lighter but still protein-rich dish.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. Make a gourmet-style crusted halibut dish in just 20 minutes! This recipe is easy to prepare so you can enjoy a healthy and satisfying dinner any day of the week.
- Versatile. There are various ways to enjoy this dish – as a main with sides, as a topper for salad or bowls, or as a filling for wraps.
- Impressive Presentation. Impress dinner party guests with this pistachio crusted fish dish. The picturesque crust topping and flavorful aroma make this easy recipe worthy of special occasions.
Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this crusted halibut recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Halibut: Look for fresh halibut filets at your grocery store or local fish market. In a pinch, you can use frozen filets, but be sure to thaw them completely before preparing this recipe.
- Garlic Powder: Use finely ground garlic powder within its expiration date for the freshest flavor. Alternatively, you can use 1 teaspoon of finely minced fresh garlic for a more pungent flavor.
- Onion Powder: Adds a delicious savory flavor to the halibut.
- Paprika: Use regular paprika for a mild sweet, peppery flavor. Try smoked paprika or sweet paprika for flavor variations if desired.
- Black Pepper: Gives the halibut a subtle spicy kick. You can also use white pepper for a milder aroma, or cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Mayonnaise: Use full-fat mayo for the richest, creamiest flavor, though light mayonnaise can also work if needed.
- Pistachios: Finely chopped unsalted pistachios are best to control the seasoning of this recipe. For a switch, swap in chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
How to Make Pistachio Crusted Halibut
Below are photos and recipe steps to easily make this baked halibut recipe with mayonnaise at home. You will also need an oven, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil, cooking spray, a small mixing bowl, a knife, and a cutting board.
Prepare the Halibut
Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the prepared baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside. Pat the halibut filets dry and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the halibut filets on both sides with the seasoning then evenly space the filets on the baking sheet.
Add the Mayonnaise and Pistachios
Spread each filet with ½ tablespoon of mayonnaise. Then sprinkle the halibut filets with the crushed pistachios, then firmly press them down with your hand into the filets to make sure the pistachios adhere to the fish.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF with a meat thermometer. Serve hot!
Serve
Enjoy this flavor-packed halibut with fresh vegetables or another side dish like some of our favorite recipes below for a full-spread dinner or heartier lunch. This dish is also delicious as a topper for salads or bowls or stuffed into wraps.
- Grilled Zucchini Salad
- Lemon Pepper Green Beans
- Crispy Cauliflower Fritters
- Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Pistachio Crusted Halibut
Ingredients
- 1 lb halibut cut into 4 portions
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup finely chopped pistachios unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with cooking oil and set aside.
- Pat dry your 4 portions of halibut and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the halibut portions with the seasoning and place them on the baking sheet.
- Top the halibut portions evenly with the mayo (½ tbsp each).
- Top the halibut portions with the pistachios, pressing firmly with your hand to make sure the pistachios adhere to the fish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Serve!
Notes
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- These were really good with the lemon pepper green beans!
- If you use salted pistachios, reduce the salt to ¼ tsp in the seasoning. Otherwise it’ll be too salty!
Nutrition
Tips and Tricks
- Thoroughly dry the halibut with paper towels to remove all excess moisture before seasoning. This will help the crust adhere better to the fish, keeping it intact for even baking and browning.
- If you use salted pistachios, reduce the salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon so the fish is not too salty.
- To make this recipe egg-free, use vegan mayonnaise
Pistachio Crusted Halibut FAQ
While this dish is best served fresh and hot from the oven, you can store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the fish in the oven or toaster oven at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Yes, instead of halibut you can use another white flaky fish like sea bass, cod, haddock, or tilapia. Keep in mind that halibut is typically 1.5-2 inches thick, so thinner fish filets may require less cooking time.
If you have a nut allergy or prefer not to use pistachios, you can swap them with unsalted raw or roasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a mix of the two.
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Clayton is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Diabetes Nursing. After a decade in healthcare—and living firsthand with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease—he joined his wife in 2023 to create practical, delicious low-carb and gluten-free recipes. Clayton brings a blend of medical expertise and personal experience to every dish, helping others navigate dietary needs without giving up flavor (or cheesecake). When he’s not in the kitchen or behind the camera, you’ll probably find him in a tent somewhere in the mountains—with a strong cup of coffee in hand.
