Easy Perfect Mahi Mahi Recipe

Easy Perfect Mahi Mahi Recipe

I grew up in a family that often dished up fish for dinner. Any given weeknight, we would sit down to a meal that included freshly cooked fish. My parents served up all varieties of fish, from whole fish to fish fillets. They used all methods of cooking with their fish recipes, from braised to pan fried.

As a child, I naively thought everyone adored some fish dish. Alas, one day I discovered that was far from truth. (Pssst: I’ve been kinda secretly convinced that it must be because some haven’t found their perfect fish recipe just yet.) 😉

Though there are a myriad of ways to cook up delicious fish – hello, Sheet Pan Lemon Salmon – this easy mahi mahi fish recipe is perfect for anyone to make. It only takes about 20 minutes, it’s super tender, and incredibly tasty. People keep telling me they can’t believe they made this restaurant-quality mahi mahi dish by themselves. You can, too.

What is Mahi Mahi?

Mahi Mahi is the Hawaiian name for dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, or dorado, though it is completely unrelated to dolphins. It was so named, as this fish tends to swim in a similar fashion to dolphins. Mahi Mahi is a surface dwelling fish that’s commonly found near the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. Due its mild flavor and firm yet moist flesh, mahi mahi recipes are a popular fish to serve at restaurants around the world.

Watch us make this mahi mahi

What’s the best way to cook mahi mahi?

Whether you’re a pro fish cooker-eater or you’re trying to start incorporating more fish into your diet, this recipe is a perfect way to serve it up. We use the stovetop-to-oven method of cooking here, like we do with this trusty lemon garlic swordfish, which yields a nicely browned exterior yet tender, flaky center.

Here are some of our helpful tips for cooking mahi mahi:

• Get either super fresh or quick-frozen, high quality mahi mahi… wild is best and will provide best flavor.
• Be sure your mahi portions are about 6-7oz each, with at least 1-inch thickness. If your portions are thin or too small, they’ll tend to overcook and the seasoning proportions will be off.
• Always pat dry excess moisture from the fish; this step is super important, as it affects how well your fish will brown. I use paper towels to fully pat away all extra moisture.
• Your cooking oil needs to be very hot [like, sizzling] before adding the fish. This allows for quick and even browning of exterior.
• Once fish is in pan, do not keep. moving it around. Let it sit and brown for 3 minutes. It helps to have a large splatter guard. I use mine often whenever pan-frying foods.
• Preheat oven ahead of time so that it’s nice and hot when you transfer the mahi mahi directly from stovetop to oven. After 5 minutes in the oven, it’s done.

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Mahi Mahi Lemon Sauce Ingredients

• Plenty of freshly minced garlic is called for. Don’t skimp on the garlic.
• Grab one fresh lemon and zest the peel; then squeeze 1 TB of tangy juice from it. Bottled lemon juice isn’t the same, so use fresh lemons.
• I prefer to use salted pure butter, but feel free to use unsalted if you like as long as it’s real butter.
• For freshly chopped herbs, choose from chives or parsley…or both.
• Tip: sauce can be prepared ahead of time, covered, and chilled until you’re ready to warm it up for serving. It’s a great sauce to have on hand.

What to serve with Mahi Mahi?

This fish dish is one of our favorites for everything from quick weeknight dinners to small dinner parties. If your friends enjoy restaurant-quality fish dishes, they’ll be in awe of you for serving this mahi mahi. Because the Lemon Garlic Sauce can be made in advance, all you need to do is cook your fish, which takes about 8 minutes total.

• I love this Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice, as it goes so well with most meals and is healthy yet easy.

• For a skillet easy rice dish, this Easy Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms is fantastic.

• We really like this 20-Minute Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad for some greens and a complete meal.

• A nice serving of this  Best Easy Roasted Vegetables Recipe makes an amazing dinner with your fish as well.

• If potatoes are your thing, Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Lemon is a favorite recipe that includes a section on How to roast potatoes perfectly. The flavor combo is a perfect match.

More To Cook and Eat

• Mahi Mahi with Mango Avocado Salsa – This pan seared mahi mahi with mango salsa is scrumptious all by itself, and tastes fabulous with the fish.  Tender, flavorful, and flaky white fish can easily be accomplished! 
  
• Easy Lemon Butter Fish in 20 Minutes – This Easy Lemon Butter Fish only takes 20 minutes and a handful of ingredients. It’s a delicious and nutritious white fish recipe. Pair with rice and vegetables for a healthy weeknight dinner.
  
• Fish with Black Bean Sauce – Fish with Black Bean Sauce is a popular menu offering at many Chinese restaurants.  This dish is savory, flavorful, and perfect over a bed of rice.  Easily make your own deliciously tender and healthy version at home
  
• Crispy Baja Fish Tacos with Creamy Lime Sauce – Crispy Baja Fish Tacos with Creamy Lime Sauce are so yummy, they’re sure to become a fast family favorite! They’re a healthy and tasty addition to your Tex-Mex menu. 
  
• White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce – This is one of the most delicious yet simple ways to enjoy fish for dinner. The flavors of garlic, butter, and lemon fuse together to create a healthy and mouthwatering meal the whole family will devour.
  
• Honey Lime Grilled Salmon – This Honey Glazed Salmon is zesty, sweet, savory, and full of flavor in every bite. Such an easy, delicious way to enjoy healthy salmon. 
  
• Lemon Butter Cod Recipe – Cod is a healthy, lean fish that can be easily added to your dinner rotation. This tender, flavorful cod recipe is quick enough for busy weeknights. It’s sure to become a favorite.

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* This recipe is part of our easy fish recipes collection *