This blackened mahi mahi is a 15-minute fish dish that’s full of Southern taste because of a simple selfmade Cajun spice rub. It’s nice for busy weeknight dinners!
Serve mahi mahi over jasmine rice and borrow the mango salsa from my mango hen recipe. If you happen to love the spicy flavors on this recipe, you may additionally like my Jamaican jerk hen!

Mahi mahi: enjoyable to say and scrumptious to eat. This flaky fish solely sounds fancy, but it surely’s actually one of many best I’ve ever cooked. Juicy mahi mahi filets take in the flavour in right this moment’s selfmade blackened seasoning rub like sponges! Simply add a facet of fluffy rice or roasted veggies. It’s a ticket to the south on a plate.
This Blackened Mahi Mahi Is a Actual Catch!
- Fast and straightforward. Blackened mahi mahi is proof which you could cook dinner a five-star meal in quarter-hour with one pan and the best elements ever.
- Genuine Southern flavors. The spice rub on this recipe is smoky and somewhat spicy, paying homage to the flavors you’ll discover in Creole dishes like jambalaya and gumbo.
- Cook dinner as soon as, eat twice (or 3 times). This blackened mahi mahi is fantastic served scorching from the pan as-is. It’s additionally good for meal prep. Leftovers style nice in tacos, salads, and extra!


What You’ll Must Make This Recipe
Listed below are fast notes on the elements on this mahi mahi recipe. You should definitely scroll to the printable recipe card for the total checklist with quantities, adopted by a step-by-step overview with pictures.
- Mahi Mahi – You could find mahi mahi in filets, or purchase an entire facet and minimize it into filets at residence. When shopping for mahi mahi, attempt to search for fish with out indicators of darkness or discoloration.
- Olive Oil – Helps the spices adhere to the fish. You need to use one other cooking oil or butter should you’d like.
- Lemon Wedges – For garnish.
What Is Mahi Mahi?
Mahi mahi is a agency fish with a meaty, crab-like texture and delicate taste. I like cooking with it because it’s not overly fishy. If you happen to can’t discover mahi mahi the place you’re, substitute one other delicate white fish with agency meat, like halibut or tilapia. Chances are you’ll want to regulate the searing time on this case.


Selfmade Blackened Seasoning
Blackening is a Cajun cooking approach the place meat, like fish or hen, is seasoned after which seared rapidly in a scorching skillet. The mix of the spices and excessive warmth provides the meat a charred or “blackened” look.
You need to use a store-bought spice combine, or you may make my straightforward selfmade blackened seasoning from the next:
- Aromatics – I take advantage of a mix of onion powder and garlic powder. Substitute all of 1 for the opposite if wanted.
- Sugar – Whereas coconut sugar or brown sugar isn’t obligatory on this recipe, it does add a pleasant “blackened” look.
- Warmth – Chili powder and paprika (candy or smoked). For a spicier mix, add somewhat cayenne pepper.
- Herbs – Dried basil and thyme.


Ceaselessly Requested Questions
The precise cooking occasions on this mahi mahi recipe could differ, relying on the dimensions and thickness of the filets. At any time when potential, buy filets which might be equal in dimension for even cooking.
Certain! If you happen to don’t have blackened seasoning, Cajun spice makes a superb substitute (I take advantage of Cajun seasoning in my grilled tilapia recipe). You possibly can even strive jerk seasoning.


Pin this now to search out it later
-
Put together the spices. In a shallow bowl, mix the onion powder, coconut sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried thyme.
-
Season the mahi mahi fillets. Pat dry the mahi mahi fillets. Season the fish with salt and pepper to style. Then, coat the fish with the ready spice combination on all sides.
-
Cook dinner the fish. Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Cook dinner the fish for 2-3 minutes per facet, or till the interior temperature reaches 130°F to 137˚F. If you happen to shouldn’t have a thermometer, the cooked fish ought to flake simply and seem opaque in colour.
-
Get pleasure from! Take away the mahi mahi from the skillet and let it relaxation for a couple of minutes. Serve the fish fillets heat, drizzled with lemon juice.
- Coconut or brown sugar isn’t obligatory on this recipe, however it can add that good “blackened” look.
- When shopping for mahi mahi fillets, search for fish that has no darkness or discoloration.
- Cooking time of mahi mahi could differ, relying on the dimensions and thickness. If potential, buy fillets which might be equal in dimension.
- I prefer to serve my mahi mahi with mango salsa.
Energy: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 32g | Fats: 8g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 5g | Ldl cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 754mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 712IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg
Dietary data is an estimate and offered as courtesy. Values could differ based on the elements and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed data.
The way to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
Conventional blackening recipes name for pan-searing with butter (the milk solids within the butter really contributed to the “black” crust). I favor to cook dinner with olive oil, however you possibly can completely swap it for butter to go the extra genuine route.




- Season the fish. Begin by whisking collectively the blackened spices in a bowl. Pat the mahi mahi filets dry, season with salt and pepper, after which rub the fish with the blackened seasoning on all sides.




- Pan-sear the fish. Subsequent, add the seasoned fish to a skillet (or use cast-iron) with olive oil. Cook dinner over medium-high warmth for 2-3 minutes per facet. When the inner temperature reads 130ºF on an instant-read thermometer, your mahi mahi is cooked. In any other case, mahi mahi is just like salmon in that it flakes simply with a fork when it’s completed.
- Serve! Get pleasure from your spicy blackened mahi mahi heat with rice, topped with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Can I Grill Mahi Mahi?
Completely! I’ve a recipe for grilled mahi mahi with in-depth directions. It’s as straightforward as grilling the fish over 425-450ºF for about 4 minutes per facet (or much less, examine the fish early to be protected!). The recent balsamic tomato salad in that recipe additionally goes nice with blackened mahi mahi.
There’s additionally the choice to make baked mahi mahi on a sheet pan. Add your favourite quick-cooking veggies, like zucchini, bell peppers, and pink onion, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas) for an all-in-one dinner.


Storing and Reheating Leftover Fish
- Refrigerate. Baked mahi mahi will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Reheat. Heat the fish, coated in foil, in a 275ºF oven till it’s heated by. Watch out to not overcook it.