Blackened Mahi Mahi

This Blackened Mahi Mahi is one of the easiest and most flavorful fish dinners you can make at home. The mahi mahi is coated in a simple homemade blackening seasoning and cooked in butter on the stovetop until it has a flavorful, slightly charred crust on the outside and a tender, flaky inside.

It is ready in under 15 minutes and tastes like something you would order at a restaurant. Serve it over rice, in tacos, or with a simple salad! For another blackened fish recipe to try, make this blackened salmon.

What is Blackening?

Blackening is a cooking technique that involves searing meat that has been coated with a spice mixture in a hot cast-iron skillet or frying pan, typically over medium to high heat.

To blacken mahi mahi, simply coat the fish with the seasoning blend and cook it in melted butter until a blackened crust forms on both sides.

Once you know how to create the spice blend, you can use it to blacken any type of fish! I like to use this blackened seasoning mix on salmon, snapper, grouper, and even flounder.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and delicious dinner – This blackened mahi mahi takes only 15 minutes to prepare. It is perfect for weeknight eating!
• Versatile recipe – Enjoy this simple and flavorful fish all different ways! Serve it in tacos, with a salad, or over rice.
• Use this seasoning on other proteins – This blackened spice blend is great on other fish or even chicken! You can use this same spice blend on whatever protein you have on hand.

I like to serve this mahi mahi with this strawberry quinoa salad or mango salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need to make your blackened mahi mahi. For the full list with measurements, head to the recipe.

• Mahi mahi – you can use fresh or frozen mahi mahi fillets. Mahi mahi is sometimes called dorado or dolphin fish. It has lean, pale pink flesh and a mild taste. It also has a subtle sweetness to it.
• Olive oil or avocado oil – pat the fish completely dry and then brush with oil to make sure the seasoning blend really sticks to the fish.
• Homemade blackening seasoning – I make a homemade seasoning blend with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil and dried oregano. If you don’t want to mix this up at home you can use a store bought
• Unsalted butter – the hot melted butter in a warm skillet allows the blackening seasoning to film a delicious crust over the fish.

You can substitute the mahi mahi with another type of fish or even shrimp if you prefer. I like to use a white fish in place of the mahi mahi like a filet of cod.

If you want to kick the spice up a notch, just add about 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice mix. You can also add a bit of chili powder for a more subtle spice.

How to make Blackened Mahi Mahi

Step 1: Mix seasonings in a small mixing bowl. Pour onto a shallow dish. Pat the fish fillets dry.

Step 2: Brush fish fillets with the olive oil and press the fish into the seasoning mixture on the dish – try to get the filets as evenly coated as possible.

Step 3: Heat a frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in the pan. Place the seasoned filets in the pan.

Step 4: Cook for 4-5 minutes, flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Check for a temperature of 145F and remove from pan. Allow the fish to cool slightly and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Storage and Reheating

Once prepared, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store this blackened mahi mahi in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm this blackened mahi mahi in a frying pan or in an air fryer or oven until just warmed through. Be careful not to overcook it so that it remains flaky.