Glacier Bake with halibut and lemon-herb crust in a rustic baking dish, topped with golden panko and served with nori sheets.

The Glacier Bake takes inspiration from Alaska’s beloved Halibut Olympia and reimagines it as a family-style sushi bake. Tender wild Alaska halibut is folded into a creamy lemon-herb sauce and baked over sushi rice until golden and bubbling. Served warm with nori sheets for scooping, this dish is rustic, shareable, and deeply satisfying — a true blend of comfort food and coastal tradition with a bright Glacier twist.

  • Prep Time:

    20 minutes

  • Cook Time:

    25 minutes

  • Total Time:

    45 minutes

  • Servings:

    4-6

  • Ingredients:

    For the Base 

    • 3 cups cooked sushi rice (warm)
    • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 tsp soy sauce or ponzu (lightly brushed on rice layer)

    For the Halibut Layer

    • 1 ½ lbs halibut, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp dried parsley
    • ½ tsp dried thyme
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • 1–2 tsp lemon juice or ponzu (optional, for extra brightness)

    For the Topping

    • ½ cup panko + sesame seeds
    • 1 Tbsp melted butter (to mix with topping)
    • Thinly sliced chives or green onion, for garnish
    • Extra lemon zest, for garnish

    For Serving

    • Nori sheets or squares (to scoop and wrap)


  • Instructions:

    1. Prepare the rice layer: While rice is still warm, season with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Spread evenly in a lightly greased 9x9 baking dish. Brush surface with soy sauce or ponzu.
    2. Mix the halibut layer: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, thyme, black pepper, salt, and lemon zest. Add halibut cubes and fold gently until coated.
    3. Assemble: Spread halibut mixture evenly over the rice layer.
    4. Add topping: Mix panko + sesame with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly across the halibut layer.
    5. Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until halibut is flaky and topping is golden brown.
    6. Serve: Garnish with chives and a little extra lemon zest. Scoop into nori sheets and enjoy warm.

If you’re new to working with raw seafood, our sushi-grade guide walks through what’s safe, what to look for, and how to get started with confidence.

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