Learn to make the most delicious Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe on your stovetop. Just coat mahi mahi in a blackening seasoning and then cook in melted butter.
Quick
Beginner-friendly
You’ll Learn: How to build deeper flavor with simple layering
Worth It: It’s a satisfying, protein-forward option that actually keeps you full
Bonus: Seasoning works with shrip and chicken too
One of the tastiest and easiest ways to make fish
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, try making blackened mahi mahi, a Hawaiian dish that takes only 15 minutes to prepare. It is not only easy to blacken mahi mahi fish, but it also is a dish that is very versatie. Enjoy this simple and flavorful protein with many different sides such as rice or a salad.
This flavorful blackened fish features a perfectly seasoned crust on tender mahi mahi fillets, making it a crowd-pleaser for seafood lovers. With its combination of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors, blackened mahi mahi is a perfect choice for those who want to spice up their weeknight dinners.
One of my other favorite features of this recipe is that it is perfect to enjoy in other ways throughout the week. For an easy lunch option, try using leftover blackened mahi mahi to make a tasty fish taco or sandwich.
How do you blacken fish?
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.
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of a recipe is very important to me and this blackened mahi mahi is definitely a dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. You can simply serve it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over a bed of rice, alongside some grilled veggies, or with a summer salad.
The subtle sweetness of mahi mahi goes wonderfully with a sweet side like a fruit salsa or fruit salad. I like to serve it with this strawberry quinoa salad or mango salad.
If you are a fan of fish tacos, you need to use this recipe to make blackened mahi mahi tacos! They are the perfect summer meal especially when served with a frozen mango margarita.
Prepare fish as written here. Then, use a fork to break the fish into flakes. Place fish on warm corn tortillas with a mango salsa or pineapple salsa. Top the tacos with lime wedges and cilantro and serve!
Ingredients
- 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 dolphinfish.
Ingredient substitutions
This blackened mahi mahi can easily be modified to suit your tastes. 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 in this seafood recipe, 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.
This blackened mahi mahi recipe is easy to make dairy free if needed. Just sub dairy-free butter for the regular butter.
Is blackening seasoning the same as cajun seasoning?
Blackening seasoning and cajun seasoning are very similar and can almost be used interchangeably. Cajun seasoning tends to be a little spicier.
If you want to save time when preparing this recipe, coat your mahi-mahi filet in a store bought cajun seasoning.
On the other hand, you can add some cayenne pepper and chili powder to the seasoning mixture listed here to create a simple homemade cajun seasoning.
How to make blackened mahi mahi
Step 1: Prepare seasoning mix and coat the fish
To start, mix the seasonings together in a small bowl. Then, pour it into a shallow dish. Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
Next, brush the fish fillets with the olive oil and press the fish into the seasoning mixture on the dish. You will want to try to get the filets as evenly coated as possible.
Step 2: Cook the fish
Now, it is time to 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 and cook for 4-5 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
Step 3: Finish cooking and enjoy
Once the internal temperature of the fish has reached 145F, remove from the pan. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
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.
Check out these other fish recipes
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Email Recipe for Later
Recipe
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
- 3 fillets of mahi mahi about 6oz each
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Mix seasonings in a small mixing bowl. Pour onto a shallow dish.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel. 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.
- 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 and cook for 4-5 minutes flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Check for the interior temperature of the fish to reach 145F and remove from the pan.
- Allow the fish to cool slightly and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- to make this recipe dairy free you can use oil in place of the butter or use a dairy free butter substitute
- add extra spice to the seasoning mixture by adding a shake of cayenne pepper
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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