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This Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe is the best way to prepare flavorful fish when you are short on time! Boldly seasoned and quickly pan-seared, this easy recipe delivers perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned mahi mahi in less than 15 minutes.
Looking for more flavorful 15 minute recipes? Don't miss Blackened Chicken, Shrimp Stir-Fry, and Buffalo Chicken Tacos. They are just the kind of healthy family dinner recipes we all need.
Kristen's Keys for Blackened Mahi Mahi
These are my non-negotiable tips when it comes to making this recipe. Paying attention before you start cooking will help ensure the best results.
- Defrost your fish fully before seasoning. Unless you live near the ocean, frozen fish is best. But in order for the mahi mahi to cook evenly and the spice blend to adhere to the filet, the fish needs to be fully defrosted.
- Finish with acid. Squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice over the blackened fish adds acidity, moisture, and flavor.
- Don't let the color scare you. As the fish cooks, the spices toast and deepen in color, hence the term blackened. How dark the crust becomes will depend on if you opt to use a stainless steel, non-stick, or cast-iron skillet.
5-Star Reader Review
I made this last night and it was amazing! First time making blackened fish of any kind - great recipe! -Deb
How to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
Let me walk you through exactly how I blacken fish in in my own kitchen, so that you can feel confident doing so in your own and have dinner on the table fast!
Step One: Prepare Seasoning Blend
For the seasoning, I use a blend very similar to my homemade Cajun seasoning. You can use that if you have it on hand, or simply combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl.
No smoked paprika? Use regular. It won't be quite as flavorful but pretty close.
Step Two: Season Mahi Mahi
Whether you are using fresh or defrosted fish, pat the fillets dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This will help that seasoning blend adhere to the fish. Then evenly sprinkle the seasoning blend over each side of each fish fillet and use your hands to rub it into the fish.
Step Three: Cook Mahi Mahi
Heat the oil and butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add in the seasoned fish and cook undistributed for 3 minutes. Flip, and continue to cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the fish becomes opaque and easily flakes apart with a fork.
Work in batches if needed. You want to ensure there is enough room in the pan for the mahi mahi to caramelize, which allows those spices to blacken, rather than steam. If your skillet only fits 2 fillets, use half the amount of oil and butter for each batch, wiping the skillet dry between batches.
Step Four: Finish with Lemon or Lime
Remove the fish from the skillet to stop the cooking process. Squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime over each piece of fish, top with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Blackened Mahi Mahi is a dish that pairs beautifully with a side of cheesy grits, orzo rice, or green beans almondine. However, blackened fish is good for more than just a standalone entree.
- Mahi-Mahi Tacos: Cut or flake the cooked blackened fish into small bite-size pieces and serve in homemade tortillas with pineapple mango salsa for an incredibly delicious fish taco.
- As a Fish Sandwich: Serve the blackened fish on a homemade biscuit topped with coleslaw and bang bang sauce or tartar sauce for an easy fish sandwich.
- As a Rice Bowl: Serve the blackened fish over Instant Pot brown rice or Instant Pot cilantro lime rice with pineapple mango salsa and fresh cilantro for a wholesome, hearty dinner.
Recipe Modifications
- Swap Out the Fish: I love mahi mahi as it is firm, yet mild and buttery and holds up well to the blackening process. That said, you can use any firm white fish such as halibut, grouper, snapper, or sea bass.
- Change Up the Seasoning: Cajun seasoning is classic for blackened fish. But feel free to use the same process using Jerk seasoning, Adobo seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning.
- Dairy-Free: If you are dairy-free simply omit the butter and sear the fish in 2 tablespoons of heated oil.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Video
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 4 (6-ounce) mahi mahi fillets, ½-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large lemon or lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cajun seasoning blend evenly over both sides of the fillets, rubbing the mixture into the fish with your hands.
- Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Once the butter is melted and the oil is hot, add the seasoned fish. Work in batches with half the oil and butter if needed.
- Cook, undisturbed, for 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Gently flip the fish over and continue to cook, undisturbed for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the fish is browned on the opposite side, and opaque.
- Remove the fish from the skillet, and squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon or lime over each fillet. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published in 2021 and updated in 2026.
So easy and so good!
Easy and delicious way to prepare fish.
This was SO good! My first time making Mahi Mahi and my family loved it!! This is going on our rotation. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Rebekah! I am thrilled to hear you and your family enjoyed this Mahi Mahi 🙂
Can we grill this with the same
Results?
As long as you grease your grill really well. Fish is super delicate and can easily tear on the grill.
Seafood is so intimidating for me - it's expensive and I'm always afraid I'll mess it up and it will be wasted. I'm ok with shrimp and salmon but your recipe is the first time I've tried making mahi mahi. It was a DELICIOUS hit! Thanks!
I am so happy you enjoyed so much Elaine!
This was my first time making Mahi Mahi. Your recipe was super simple, easy to make and delicious. I paired it with brussell sprouts. My family will be enjoying this meal more often.
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe for Mahi Mahi, Chris! Thank you for sharing.
I cooked this according to the directions and it came out so delicious, I had a rather thick filet so I added 2 extra minutes cooking time and served with a squeeze of lime and mango salsa and a simple salad, absolutely delicious. I wish I could post a picture, restaurant quality dinner and keto friendly too.
Thank you for sharing, Karen! I am thrilled to hear you enjoy it so much! And I love the mango salsa topping 🙂
The best way to eat mahi mahi. I know you give some instructions for if we have leftover... but truly there was no leftover fish. Simply delicious - especially taken to the next level with that squeeze of lemon over top to finish it off!
I LOVE hearing that your family enjoyed so much! Thanks for sharing Lisalia!
Thank you so much for this recipe, it's really helpful and easy to make! Well done!
I am so happy you found the instructions easy to follow and you enjoyed the Mahi!
I love mahi-mahi and this is incredibly delicious! This has become one of my favorites for lunch or dinner. Such a great and flavorful recipe!
Thank you so for sharing Beth! So happy you enjoyed this recipe for Mahi Mahi!