• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Vindulge

BBQ and Grilling Recipes with Wine Pairings

  • Home
  • About
    • About Mary
    • Portfolio
    • TV Appearances
    • Work With Me
  • Cookbook
  • Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
  • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Resources
    • Fundamentals For Learning How to Grill
    • Guide to Pellet Grills – Common Q and A
    • Best Pellet Grill – MAK Two Star General – Versatile American Made Pellet Smoker
    • Blogger Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop Wines
  • Cookbook
  • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Wine Guides
  • Blogging Resources
  • Connect with us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You are here: Home » Food » Seafood » Grilled Halibut with Mango Salsa

    Grilled Halibut with Mango Salsa

    April 14, 2021 By Sean Martin Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    500 shares
    • Facebook41
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    Grilled Halibut Pin
    Grilled Halibut Pin
    Grilled Halibut Pin
    Grilled Halibut Pin

    This Grilled Halibut Recipe combines the savory flavors of open-flame char with the sweet and spicy flavors of a mango and jalapeño salsa. We walk through the steps on how to Grill Halibut perfectly every time, so you don’t overcook it.

    Two Grilled Halibut filets on a white plate and topped with a Mango Citrus Salsa

    Let’s face it, halibut is an expensive cut of fish, and for good reason. This cold weather white fish has a clean and fresh flavor, and is one of my all time favorite fish to cook with. Since this cut isn’t cheap, we don’t want to mess it up!

    Jump to:
    • The Cut – Halibut
    • Grilled Halibut Seasoning
    • Preparing to Cook Halibut on the Grill
    • Mango Salsa Ingredients
    • Making the Mango Salsa
    • How To Grill Halibut
    • How Long to Grill Halibut
    • Wine Pairing with Grilled Halibut
    • Other Great Grilled Seafood Recipes
    • Grilled Halibut Recipe with Mango Salsa

    The Cut – Halibut

    The flavor of halibut is buttery, rich, and incredibly juicy when cooked correctly. There is no other white fish I can think of that melts in your mouth with such a clean flavor. These flatfish are typically large and have very little fat, so when cooking, it’s important to pay attention to the process so you don’t overcook it (and thus dry it out). And this comes down to starting with a hot grill and using a good thermometer to test when the Halibut is done.

    1 pound of raw fresh halibut
    A one pound halibut filet.

    When buying Halibut for the grill, it’s best to buy filets with the skin on. Be sure to ask the fish monger to remove the pin bones, otherwise you will need to do it. In addition to buying the filet, try to find it with skin on. The skin will hold together the delicate fish when grilling, unlike poaching or a pan sear. If you can’t find skin on (it will only be on one side) then the preparation will be even more important to avoid sticking to the grill.

    Grilled Halibut Seasoning

    Unlike other bolder-flavored fish where we may add our seafood seasoning, for halibut we season very simply with our beef seasoning, which is simply kosher salt, granulated garlic, and coarse black pepper. We treat halibut like a filet mignon. Simple season to let the quality fish stand out on its own, and then finish by topping with a delicious fresh salsa to complement the bite.

    Preparing to Cook Halibut on the Grill

    One of the big secrets to grilling halibut is a hot fire, and well-oiled grill grates (and also well-oiled fish).

    1. Preheat the grill for direct grilling with the temperature of the grill over direct heat at 500 – 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. Be sure the grill grates are CLEAN and OILED. After any cook it’s good practice to clean off the grill grates and remove creosote or old fat and residue, but for fish, it’s doubly important. Without a clean and well-oiled grill, you can easily cause the fish to stick to the grill and then it falls apart.
    3. Cut the filets into your desired size. If you try to grill the entire filet at once and then slice into individual steaks, it may fall apart. So trim the filet into individual cuts BEFORE you season and grill.
    4. Season the halibut. This means a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil all over the fish and then season with the SPG rub (or your favorite seasoning).
    5. Make the salsa. The fish will cook quickly, so having the salsa done in advance is so much easier to get the salsa plated with the hot fish.

    That’s it. The grill is hot and oiled, the fish is seasoned, salsa is made, and it’s time to grill.

    Equipment Recommendation: If you don’t have a metal fish spatula or large wide spatula, this is a great time to consider investing in one. It makes flipping large cuts of fish easy and keeps them intact.

    Mango Salsa Ingredients

    A Mango Salsa is great on any fish, chicken, or as a stand-alone dish with chips. Ours combines citrus, heat, and onion and is a fabulous addition to our Halibut recipe.

    • Mango – First, when buying a mango, be sure it is ripe. There is a big difference in flavor. A ripe mango is soft to the touch but not squishy. If the mango is very hard, it will be difficult to cut and the flavor will be bland and muted.
    • Jalapeño – Dice with the ribs and seeds removed (this will minimize the heat units). If you don’t like heat at all, substitute with a poblano pepper.
    • Onion – We prefer red onion for the heat and bite. Sweet or white onions are another great option. We avoid yellow because they tend to have the least flavor raw when using in a salsa like this.
    • Citrus – We combine fresh juice and zest of a lime (lemon is a good substitute for a brighter flavor).

    Making the Mango Salsa

    With a sharp boning knife, cut into the mango until the knife reaches the pit. Slowly cut around the pit in a straight line so you have one continuous cut around the pit (like an avocado). Then twist to remove the two halves. Use a spoon to remove the mango and then dice into small bites.

    If the mango is not ripe it won’t twist. So it’s best to make the same cut, but then remove the skin. From there dice it up. Yes, it will be a pain if it’s not ripe.

    From there dice up the remaining ingredients and then combine them in a bowl. Add salt as desired, mix it up, and it’s ready to go. You can make this the day before for easier prep.

    How To Grill Halibut

    Are you ready to cook the halibut? Take these 6 easy-to-follow instructions to get properly cooked halibut in a short time!

    Two halibut filets cooking on the grill
    1. Place the halibut over direct heat on the well-oiled grill, skin facing up, and grill for 5 minutes. The halibut is ready to flip when you can easily move the halibut, because the initial sear is done. It should not stick. Depending on grill temperature it can take 4 – 8 minutes, but on average 5 minutes. Don’t worry about
    2. Flip the halibut skin side down, over direct heat, and grill for additional 5-6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the halibut. The skin can absorb the heat, even if it scorches. Remove the halibut when the internal temperature reads 135 degrees Fahrenheit, using a good instant-read thermometer like the Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen.
    3. Remove and plate with your favorite sides. Spoon the salsa over the halibut.

    How Long to Grill Halibut

    Overall, grilling halibut takes approximately up to 15 minutes. But it’s ultimately determined by the thickness of the fillet. Cook for around 5 minutes on each side before flipping. Use a meat thermometer to continue grilling your halibut until it reaches a temperature of 135 degrees F. 

    Wine Pairing with Grilled Halibut

    The flavor of grilled halibut is fresh and clean with that slight char from the grill. Topped with the fresh citrus and mango salsa makes it a great choice for a white wine with equal freshness and zestiness. I love Spanish Albariño with halibut. Pinot Gris/Grigio, unoaked Chardonnay, Muscadet, and even sparkling wine work also work great!

    Grilled Halibut on a white plate topped with mango salsa

    Other Great Grilled Seafood Recipes

    • Grilled Oysters
    • Seafood Paella On the Grill
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Grilled Tuna Steaks

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. We partner with brands we know and love and use and it helps keep the blog going!

    close up of grilled halibut with mango salsa

    Grilled Halibut Recipe with Mango Salsa

    This Grilled Halibut Recipe combines the savory flavors of open flame char with the sweet and spicy flavors of a mango and jalapeño salsa.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 209kcal
    Author: Mary Cressler | Vindulge
    Cost: $30.00

    Equipment

    • Fish or Wide Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 1 1-pound Halibut Filet
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons SPG Rub

    Mango Salsa

    • 1 mango, chopped (about 1 cup) (Be sure it's ripe. It should be slightly soft, but not squishy. A hard mango will not be as sweet and more difficult to prep.)
    • ¼ cup diced red onion
    • 1 tablespoon jalapeño, seeds and stems removed, finely diced (about ½ of a large jalapeño)
    • 1 lime zested
    • 1 lime juiced (Zest the lime before you cut and juice it)
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon coarse black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Mango Salsa

    • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir. You can make this a day in advance of the halibut.

    How to Grill Halibut

    • Preheat the grill for direct grilling with the temperature of the grill over direct heat at 500 – 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Cut the filets into your desired size. If you try to grill the entire filet at once and then slice into individual steaks, it may fall apart. So trim the filet into individual cuts BEFORE you season and grill.
    • Season the halibut. This means a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil all over the fish and then season with the SPG rub (or your favorite seasoning).
    • Grill. Place the halibut over direct heat on the well-oiled grill, skin facing up, and grill for 5 minutes. The halibut is ready to flip when you can easily move the halibut, because the initial sear is done. It should not stick. Depending on grill temperature it can take 4 – 8 minutes, but on average 5 minutes.
    • Flip the halibut skin side down, over direct heat, and grill for additional 5-6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the halibut. The skin can absorb the heat, even if it scorches. Remove the halibut when the internal temperature reads 135 degrees Fahrenheit, using a good instant read thermometer.
    • Spoon the salsa over the halibut and enjoy with your favorite sides.

    Notes

    Notes About A Clean Grill: Be sure the grill grates are CLEAN and OILED. After any cook it’s good practice to clean off the grill grates and remove creosote or old fat and residue, but for fish, it’s doubly important. Without a clean and well-oiled grill, you can easily cause the fish to stick to the grill and then it falls apart.
    Find the perfect wine pairing at the Vindulge Wine Shop

    Nutrition

    Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1321IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @vindulge or use the hashtag #vindulge
    « Blueberry Bourbon Baby Back Ribs
    Grilled Sirloin Steak – Topped With Herb Compound Butter »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Mary-Cressler-Sept-2015-smI'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, and founder of Vindulge and author of Fire + Wine cookbook.  Thanks for stopping by!

    Learn More...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Fire and Wine Cookbook Cover.

    Get Ready for Summer

    Smoked Brisket

    What’s on our Grill

    Smoked Beef Ribs on butcher paper

    Easy Smoked Beef Ribs Recipe – From Plate Ribs to Chuck Ribs

    Vegetarian pizza on a pizza peel with hot honey drizzle.

    Vegetarian Pizza Recipe with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

    Shredded Beef Quesadilla on a cutting board.

    Pulled Beef Quesadillas – Great Leftover Pulled Beef Recipe

    Grilled Pork Chops with Maple and Soy Marinade

    More

    As Seen On

    Products we love

    taking the temperature of a porchetta roast on the grill
    We use Thermoworks Signals BBQ Alarm to monitor the internal temperature of the meat while it’s cooking, then double check with an instant read thermometer, like the Thermapen One.

    Vindulge Wine Club

    join the wine club side bar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Portfolio
    • TV Appearances
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Vindulge

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    500 shares
    • 41