Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Also known as Atlantic halibut, Halibut
Culinary Profile
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
A lean fish with fine-grained, dense meat. When cooked, the meat is firm yet flaky and tender.
Halibut is low in saturated fat and sodium, and is a very good source of protein, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic halibut can be distinguished from other right-eyed flounders by their large size, concave caudal fin, large, gaping mouth, and arched lateral line. One of the largest fish found in the Gulf of Maine.
Biology
Atlantic halibut is the largest species of flatfish in the world. Atlantic halibut can reach up to 15 feet in length The largest Atlantic halibut recorded was taken off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, and weighed 615 pounds (eviscerated with the head still attached). It likely weighed 700 pounds when it was alive. It is a long-lived, late-maturing species that can live up to 50 years.
Where They Live
Range Atlantic halibut are found from Labrador and Greenland to Iceland, and from the Barents Sea south to the Bay of Biscay and Virginia. In U.S. waters, halibut is most common in the Gulf of Maine. Habitat Atlantic halibut are found in the temperate and arctic waters of the northern Atlantic. They live in coastal to upper slope areas.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from Maine to Connecticut.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic halibut totaled 76,000 pounds and were valued at approximately $480,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Regulations include a minimum fish size and a limit of one fish per vessel per trip in federal waters. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Halibut are commonly harvested using trawl nets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel. Trawl gear used to harvest halibut can impact habitat, depending on where they are used. Trawl gear can incidentally catch other fish and marine mammals. Longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest halibut have little to no impact on habitat.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where Atlantic Halibut ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 27.4 IU | 1 / 54 | 98% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 526 mg | 7 / 104 | 93% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 393 mg | 37 / 104 | 64% |
| Iron | 0.66 mg | 55 / 111 | 50% |
| Choline | 61.8 mg | 58 / 65 | 11% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 82 / 111 | 26% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1 µg | 90 / 106 | 15% |
| Protein | 14.37 g | 96 / 111 | 14% |
| Phosphorus | 164 mg | 96 / 111 | 14% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Halibut.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Atlantic Halibut, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should Atlantic Halibut be cooked?
Atlantic Halibut has A lean fish with fine-grained, dense meat. When cooked, the meat is firm yet flaky and tender. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
How does Atlantic Halibut reproduce?
Atlantic halibut is the largest species of flatfish in the world. Atlantic halibut can reach up to 15 feet in length The largest Atlantic halibut recorded was taken off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, and weighed 615 pounds (eviscerated with the head still attached). It likely weighed 700 pounds when it was alive. It is a long-lived, late-maturing species that can live up to 50 years.
What else is Atlantic Halibut called?
Atlantic Halibut is also marketed as Atlantic halibut, Halibut.
How much selenium does Atlantic Halibut provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Atlantic Halibut carries 36.5 µg of selenium, about 66% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
What is the texture of Atlantic Halibut meat?
A lean fish with fine-grained, dense meat. When cooked, the meat is firm yet flaky and tender.
Sustainability Story
Although populations are well below target levels, U.S. wild-caught Atlantic halibut is still a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a rebuilding plan that allows limited harvest by U.S. fishermen.
Stock Structure
The Atlantic halibut stock is at a very low level. Fishing is still allowed, but at reduced levels. According to the 2024 stock assessment, the Atlantic halibut stock is overfished. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but catch is at recommended level.
Habitat Impacts
Trawl gear used to harvest Atlantic halibut have minimal or temporary effects on habitat. Area closures and gear restrictions protect sensitive habitats from bottom trawl gear. Hook and line gear has little or no impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage Atlantic halibut. Atlantic halibut, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.