This delicious Grilled Halibut Recipe with Basil Vinaigrette is one of my long-time favorite ways to cook fish on the grill. And if you love grilling fish but halibut is not in the budget, check the list in this post for other fish you could use for the recipe.

PIN the Grilled Halibut Recipe to try it later!

This Grilled Halibut Recipe (with Basil Vinaigrette) is perfect to make when it’s grilling season and you want to cook fish on the grill! Of course for many summers now I’ve been infatuated with Basil Vinaigrette, which I love drizzled over tomatoes or served over vegetables. This summery dressing with chopped fresh basil is amazing served with grilled fish or chicken! 

And this favorite grilled fish recipe that I’m reminding you about today is such a flavor-filled combination! Seriously, it’s worth making basil vinaigrette just so you can serve it over this tasty grilled fish. I first made this recipe before halibut had gotten so expensive, so see suggestions for another type of firm fish to use if halibut isn’t in the budget. And whatever type of fish you use, I hope you try the recipe soon!

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

What other fish can you use for this recipe?

Halibut is so expensive these days that you might need to use another type of fish, unless you’re splurging for a special occasion. The recipe would be great with any firm meaty fish such Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, Tuna, Cod, Shark, Snapper, and of course Salmon.

How can you keep Grilled Halibut from sticking on the grill?

• Be sure your grill grates are completely clean.
• Spray the grill grates well with a non-stick spray like Pam for Grilling (affiliate link) or rub with a paper towel dipped in a high smoke-point oil if you don’t have a non-stick grilling spray.
• Rub both sides of the fish well with olive oil (or another type of oil of your choice) before you season the fish.
• Preheat the grill to high, then immediately turn to medium-high when you put on the fish.
• Let fish cook 3 minutes without touching it, then lift the edge of a piece to see if you have nice grill marks and if the fish is ready to rotate.
• Rotate to cook 2-3 minutes going the other angle on the grill grates to make grill marks.
• Then carefully turn, using a Fish Spatula (affiliate link) will make that easier. Cook 3-4 minutes on second side, or until fish is firm.

Can you cook Grilled Halibut without an outdoor grill?

If you don’t have an outdoor grill (or it’s not grilling weather), halibut or other grilled fish this can be cooked on a stove-top grill pan with ridges (affiliate link) or a George Foreman Grill (affiliate link) with good results. Remember that the George Foreman Grill cooks both sides at once so grilling time will be a lot shorter!

How long will Basil Vinaigrette keep in the Fridge?

The Basil Vinaigrette dressing that’s so good on the Grilled Halibut will keep in the refrigerator for a week or a little longer.

How low in carbs is the Grilled Halibut Recipe?

This amazing recipe for cooking fish on the grill has only 1 net carb per serving with 95 grams of protein!

How to make the Grilled Halibut Recipe with Basil Vinaigrette:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Make the Basil Vinaigrette. (Or simply blend together 1 part chopped basil with 3 parts low-sugar vinaigrette dressing. Use any low-sugar vinaigrette if you don’t find the brands I mention.)
2. Blot away excess moisture on the fish and let it come to room temperature.
3. Spray clean grill grates with non-stick grill spray like Pam for Grilling (affiliate link) or rub with paper towel soaked with high smoke point oil.
4. Heat the grill to high.
5. Rub both sides of fish with olive oil and Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link) or any fish rub you prefer.
6. When fish is room temperature, lay top-side down at an angle to the grill grates and immediately turn the temperature to medium-high. 
7. Cook about 3 minutes in this position without moving the fish, then check grill marks and make sure fish lifts easily.
8. Then rotate fish at the opposite angle and cook about 2-3 minutes more.
9. Carefully turn the fish over, with a Fish Spatula (affiliate link) if you have one, and cook 2-3 minutes on the other side.
10. Total cooking time will be 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish and temperature of the grill.
11. Serve the Grilled Halibut hot, with basil vinaigrette spooned over.

Make it a Low-Carb Meal:

Grilled Halibut with Basil Vinaigrette would taste amazing with any of these low-carb side dishes:

More Recipes for Fish on the Grill:

You can use the category for Grilling Recipes to see lots more ideas for fish cooked on the grill.

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Grilled Halibut served with Basil Vinaigrette is a great main course for low-carb and Keto diets, and for any phase of the original South Beach Diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Grilling Recipes to find more ideas for grilling. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This favorite grilled halibut recipe was first posted in 2006, in the very early days of my blog! I’ve been making it ever since, and in 2013 the post was updated with better photos. It was last updated with more information in 2026.

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This Chicken Salad with Basil also has grated Parmesan, and this is the salad I think of when basil plants show up in the stores! And personally I think chicken and basil is a perfect flavor combination.

PIN the Chicken Salad with Basil to try it later!

Today I’m reminding you about this amazing Chicken Salad with Basil! This is a recipe you should make as soon as you see basil plants showing up in the grocery store. OR if you have basil growing in your garden, you can make it it all summer long! 

I’m a huge fan of fresh basil, and I’ve been growing basil and freezing the basil for many years, so I’m excited when basil season gets started every year. And this basil-loaded chicken salad recipe is one of my favorite summer salads. Through the years I’ve decided you just can’t ever put too much chopped basil in this salad.

And yes, I used the word SUMMER, but please don’t hesitate to make this salad any time you have chicken and fresh basil on hand! If you have to buy basil in the grocery store you can get away with using less in this recipe. But please try it if you’re a fan of these flavors. I could eat this over and over again and never get tired of it!

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

• diced cooked chicken, or see notes below to cook the chicken
• mayo
• buttermilk (or milk although I like the tangy flavor from the buttermilk
• green onion
• fresh basil leaves
• coarsely grated Parmesan Cheese
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

If you have to buy fresh basil, here’s how to make it last longer:

If you don’t have a basil plant growing in the window or basil in the garden, you might want to check out how to preserve fresh basil for weeks on the countertop. If you haven’t tried this, I promise you’ll be amazed amazing how long it lasts!

Can you use basil in a tube for the Chicken Salad with Basil?

You might be able to guess I’m not much of a fan of those chopped herbs that come in a tube. But if that’s the best option you have I’m guessing this salad will still be quite tasty using that.

How low in carbs is the Chicken Salad with Basil?

This favorite salad with fresh basil only has 2 net carbs per serving with 23 grams of protein!

More Tips for Cooking with Fresh Basil:

I’m such a fan of basil that I wrote a post about Cooking with Fresh basil. That has all my favorite recipes using basil and ideas for making pesto, making basil vinaigrette, and freezing fresh basil!

How to make Chicken Salad with Basil:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. You can make the salad with leftover rotisserie chicken if you have some.
2. If you’re starting from scratch, trim chicken breasts and cut into thirds lengthwise. I used a mixture of canned chicken broth and water to cook the chicken, combined with 2 teaspoons of Italian Herb Blend(affiliate link). You could use poultry seasoning if you don’t have the Italian blend.
3. When the liquid comes to a boil, add the chicken and cook at the barest simmer until it’s cooked through, about 15 minutes.
4. Drain the chicken into a colander and let it drain very well.
5. Then cut the chicken into cubes about 3/4 inch square.
6. I used Herb Scissors (affiliate link) to cut the basil into thin strips. If you’re using basil from the garden, give it a wash in a Mini Salad and Herb Spinner (affiliate link).
7. After you slice the fresh basil, chop the green onions, and prepare freshly-grated Parmesan.
8. Whisk together the mayo and buttermilk (or milk) so it’s smooth; then stir in the basil strips, chopped green onion, and a Parmesan.
9. Gently stir the dressing into the cubes of chicken, season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, and serve.
10. This Chicken Salad with Basil can also be chilled for a few hours before serving; enjoy!

Make it a Low-Carb Meal:

You could serve it with any of these side dishes to make this salad into a low-carb meal:

See all my Chicken Salad Recipes:

Salads made with leftover chicken are something I make often, and there 24 different chicken salad recipes in my huge round-up of Low-Carb and Keto Chicken Salads!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Chicken Salad with Basil is great for any low-carb diet plan, including Keto, and also for any phase of the original South Beach Diet. South Beach would recommend you use light mayo and use portion control due to the amount of fat; other low-carb diets will prefer full-fat mayo.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Salad Recipes to find more low-carb salads like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This salad with my favorite summer herb was first posted in 2005! I’ve made it so many times since then, and it was last updated with more information in 2026.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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