The Ultimate Grilled Halibut with Charred Tomato Vinaigrette

Are you looking for a truly elegant, show-stopping main course for your next summer dinner party? A dish that is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavor, looks like a work of art, and is cooked almost entirely on the grill? This recipe for Grilled Halibut with a warm, smoky Charred Tomato Vinaigrette is the answer.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a sophisticated, restaurant-quality meal that celebrates the absolute best of summer produce. We’ll show you how to perfectly grill flaky halibut, and then top it with a genius vinaigrette made from tomatoes that have been grilled to sweet, smoky perfection. Served on a bed of fresh heirloom tomatoes, this dish is a symphony of textures and temperatures.

What makes this recipe so special is its incredible depth of flavor, achieved through simple grilling techniques. It’s a light yet satisfying meal that is guaranteed to impress your guests. Get ready to master your new favorite recipe for elegant, al fresco dining.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Secret to the Sauce: The Charred Tomato Vinaigrette

The absolute star of this Grilled Halibut dish is the warm Charred Tomato Vinaigrette. This isn’t your average dressing; it’s a smoky, sweet, and savory sauce created with a brilliant technique.

By placing the cherry tomatoes directly on the hot grill, we do two things:

1. We Char Them: This imparts a wonderful, smoky flavor that you simply can’t get any other way.
2. We Concentrate Their Flavor: The high heat causes the tomatoes to blister and burst, releasing their juices and concentrating their natural sweetness.

When these smoky, sweet tomatoes are blended with olive oil and vinegar, they create a warm, emulsified vinaigrette that is unbelievably delicious. Pouring this warm dressing over the hot grilled fish and the cool, fresh heirloom tomatoes at the bottom creates a magical, multi-layered flavor experience.

Tips for Grilling Perfect Fish

Grilling delicate fish like halibut can be intimidating, but a few simple tips will guarantee success for your Grilled Halibut.

• Cook with the Skin On: The skin is your secret weapon! It acts as a protective barrier between the delicate fish flesh and the hot grill grates, preventing the fish from sticking and drying out. The skin gets wonderfully crispy and is delicious to eat.
• Use a Hot, Clean, Oiled Grill: Make sure your grill is fully preheated to medium-high heat. Scrape the grates clean with a grill brush, then use a paper towel dipped in a high-smoke-point oil to grease the grates right before you add the fish.
• Don’t Overcook: Halibut is a lean fish that is best when just cooked through. It’s done when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. For a perfect result, use an instant-read thermometer—the fish is ready to come off the grill when the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F, as it will continue to cook as it rests.

The Key Ingredients for Your Grilled Halibut

This recipe uses a handful of high-quality, fresh ingredients to create a taste of peak summer.

• Halibut Fillets: Use thick, skin-on halibut fillets for the best results. Other firm, meaty white fish like cod, sea bass, or swordfish would also be excellent substitutes.
• The Tomatoes: This recipe cleverly uses two types of tomatoes.
  • Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: These are grilled on the vine until they burst, forming the sweet and smoky base of the vinaigrette.
  • Heirloom Tomatoes: Large, juicy, and colorful heirloom tomatoes are sliced and used as a fresh, cool “platter” for the hot fish to rest on.
• The Fresh Herbs: A sophisticated blend of fresh mint, parsley, and tarragon adds a bright, aromatic, and slightly anise-like flavor that beautifully complements the fish and tomatoes.
• Dry White Wine: A splash of a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio adds acidity and depth to the vinaigrette. You can substitute chicken broth with a squeeze of extra lemon if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Grilled Halibut

This elegant meal comes together quickly on the grill. Prepare all your components before you start cooking.

1. Prepare the Grill: Prepare your outdoor grill for a steady medium-high heat.
2. Prep the Components: Arrange your sliced heirloom tomatoes on a large serving platter. Pat the skin of the halibut fillets completely dry with a paper towel, then brush the fillets all over with olive oil and season the flesh side generously with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the Tomatoes and Fish: Make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled. Place the cherry tomatoes (still on the vine is easiest) and the fish fillets skin-side down on the grill. Cover the grill.
4. Cook to Perfection: Let the tomatoes cook until they are charred and starting to split and burst, which should take about 5 minutes. The Grilled Halibut will take about 10 minutes total. There is no need to flip the fish; the skin will protect it, and the ambient heat from the covered grill will cook it through.
5. Rest the Fish: Once the halibut is cooked through and opaque, transfer it skin-side down to the platter with the fresh sliced tomatoes to rest.
6. Make the Vinaigrette: Place the grilled cherry tomatoes in a blender (you can discard the vine). Add 6 tablespoons of olive oil, the white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and several grinds of pepper. Blend until the vinaigrette is smooth. Stir in half of your chopped chives and basil.
7. Assemble and Serve: Spoon the warm charred tomato vinaigrette generously over both the Grilled Halibut and the fresh tomatoes on the platter. Drizzle everything with a little more good-quality olive oil. Sprinkle with the remaining fresh chives and basil, and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with the grilled lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

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What to Serve With Your Grilled Halibut

This Grilled Halibut with its luscious sauce is perfect served with some crusty, grilled bread to sop up every last drop. It would also be wonderful alongside a simple orzo salad or some fluffy couscous.

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Conclusion: An Elegant Celebration of Summer

This Grilled Halibut with Charred Tomato Vinaigrette is a perfect example of how simple, high-quality ingredients can be transformed into a truly spectacular meal. The clever use of the grill to build layers of smoky, sweet, and savory flavor results in a dish that is both sophisticated and incredibly satisfying. This is destined to become your go-to recipe for elegant summer entertaining.

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