This Macadamia Crusted Halibut Recipe with Brown Butter is decadent, with roasted chopped macadamia nuts in browned butter, poured over halibut fillets. I like to serve it with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. When the potatoes soak up the brown butter, it is heavenly. Between the price of fresh fish, especially skinless halibut fillets, and the richness of this dish, it is not every night fare, but perfect for a special occasion. Perhaps tonight is the perfect night for Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut with brown butter!
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INGREDIENTS
For the full recipe with quantities, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
INGREDIENT NOTES
Halibut - Fresh fish is best but frozen will do if you do not have access to fresh seafood. Look for pieces of halibut that are similar in size so that they get done at the same time. MIld halibut fillets are the perfect fish for this recipe. Other firm white fish like cod or sea bass are good alternatives.
Butter - use good butter, not margarine in this recipe.
Macadamia Nuts - Use raw or salted roasted macadamia nuts for this recipe. Buy Macadamia nuts in a small jar and keep it in the freezer until ready to use. Macadamia nuts are oily and they can go rancid quickly. The best way to prevent this is to keep the nuts frozen. The macadamia nuts will be toasted for this recipe so they are not adversely affected by freezing. For information about the health benefits of macadamia nuts read 10 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Macadamia Nuts on Healthline.com.
EQUIPMENT
- Shallow bowl, baking dish, or pie plates for dredging
- Oven-proof large saute pan or large skillet
- Small mixing bowl
- Small food processor (optional)
- Sheet pan or baking sheet
STEP-by-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Melt butter and bring to a low boil over low heat to medium heat, until butter turns a light brown color.
Place macadamia nuts and panko crumbs on a cookie sheet. Roast at 350 degrees.
Watch the nuts and bread crumbs as they burn easily. Remove when golden.
Coarsely grind the macadamia nuts in a food processor or by hand. Set the ground macadamia nuts aside.
Mince half the macadamias and mix with the toasted bread crumbs.
Add the other half with larger chunks into the brown butter.
Rub olive oil onto the halibut and dredge in the macadamia panko breadcrumb mixture.
Place fillets in the pan. Brown on one side, flip, then finish cooking in a 350-degree oven, browned side up.
Add the halibut filet to the serving plate.
Pour the macadamia brown butter over the top of the fish. and serve hot.
Equipment
- Shallow pan for dredging
- Oven-proof frying pan
- Small food processor (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Alaskan Halibut Fillets
- ¾ cups bread crumbs panko
- ½ cups macadamia nuts ground in food processor
- 3 ounces salted butter
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Bring butter to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly (being careful not to let it boil over) until all of the solids caramelize and the butter starts to turn a light brown color.
- Turn off heat and stir occasionally until room temperature. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.
- Toast bread crumbs and macadamia nuts in oven until golden brown.
- Cool, then in a food processor or by hand, chop the macadamia nuts. Leave some larger chunks.
- Add the half with the larger chunks to the brown butter.
- Combine the smaller chunks of macadamia nuts with the toasted bread crumbs.
- Turn the oven up to 350 degrees.
- Brush both sides of the fish with a little olive oil to allow the breading to stick.
- Dredge the halibut in the bread crumb mixture and sauté in two tablespoons of oil, two fillets at a time.
- When golden brown on one side, flip and finish in the oven for approximately 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- When the halibut is cooked, ladle brown butter mixture over the fish and serve. (Make sure to stir the butter mixture first).
Nancy says
What a great idea to use macadamia nuts. It’s a great high protein crust. And very tasty
Liz McCray says
wow does this sound absolutely delish!! i love the crunchiness of the macadamia nuts!
Jean says
OMG, you had me at brown butter. So rich and flaky. Thanks so sharing.
Nora says
Yum! This macadamia crust is simply divine! Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Audrey says
Fab!! This fish recipe is just like something you'd get a restaurant.
Mary says
Yes! It is an adaptation from our favorite restaurant, now closed, Scott's Seafood.
Rachael says
I'm not a big fish fan, but this is actually fantastic! I love the macadamia nuts.
Sabine says
I was intrigued by the macadamia crust and oh, this was so delicious. This recipe works great.
Mary says
Halibut is a good choice for people who aren't fish fans.
Covita says
Macadamia nuts and brown butter really make this fish- Yum! Great recipe- love this site
Jacqueline Wormington says
Easy to follow recipe! Love the idea of a macadamia crust