As seafood purveyors, we are beyond excited that Alaskan Halibut season is in full swing for 2018! Also known as the Hippos of the Sea, this incredible flatfish has prices dropping just as soon as they hit the dock. If you’re looking for a sustainably caught fish with an excellent price, we will help you do right by your food costs and patrons.

As the largest of all flounders/flatfish, these guys have an average catch weight of 25-30lbs, but can grow to weigh over 600lbs! Alaskan Halibut is recommended as most sustainable by Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch program, due to the fact that Atlantic stocks are currently overfished.

How long is Alaskan Halibut Season?

The whole season spans from around March to the end of Fall. This is important for both your food costs and taste, independent of sustainability. We highly recommend this delicious fish for your Spring and Summer menu. Not only are costs the best during this time of year, but Alaskan Halibut season is at its peak from Mid-May through September.

Using Alaskan Halibut

Image of cooked Alaskan Halibut with a side of green beans.

If ordering whole, expect a 50-60% yield on this delicious fish. Halibut contains three main cuts that can easily be utilized in your kitchen; steaks, filets, and cheeks.

Steaks come from the tail of the halibut, and filets come from the body. You can cook these interchangeably, because of the consistency of the flesh. If you want something unique and new, halibut cheeks are a different story. Cheeks are a delicacy should not be overlooked. If you are a scallop lover or have guests that love them, cheeks should be cooked similarly and taste a lot like a fresh scallop!

Halibut Cuts and Flavor

Halibut has very lean flesh with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s a firm fish but tender with a large flake. Always be wary of overcooking, because it dries out quite easily due to its low-fat content.

The low-fat content makes this flounder relative an excellent choice when creating health-friendly dishes, but it’s also versatile enough to apply just about any traditional cooking method including baking, broiling, grilling, poaching, searing, and deep frying.

Sustainability matters to us, as purveyors. We have chefs that count on us to provide them food of high quality that is also sourced sustainably. As chef consultants, we’re happy to help review your menu at any time, and can help you figure out whether or not Alaskan halibut is a good fit for what you’re trying to accomplish!

Contact us today, for help with getting Alaskan Halibut on your restaurant menu.