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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.
Didn't have lemon on hand so tried clementine. Lemon would definitely be better but it was still very good. I had to turn the heat down a bit because my stove runs hot and the butter was burning. Tastes kinda like cajun chicken.
So easy and probably the most delicious fish I've ever tasted or made ever! Thank you!
Absolutely LOVE hearing this, Amanda! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
This was so tasty! I skipped the lemon and made a honey lime sauce instead, which I drizzled on the fillets after they were done. They were a big hit!
I will definitely be making this again.
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Great recipe! Everyone loved it - thanks for posting
I made this last night and it was amazing! First time making blackened fish of any kind - great recipe!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Peggy!
Can you use frozen fillets? And how about cooking in the air fryer?
Hi Britni! You need the fish to be fully defrosted so that they cook evenly and the spice mix adhere to the fish. To defrost frozen fish fillets, either place the frozen fillets in the refrigerator overnight OR place the frozen fillets, still in the packaging in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator. As for the air fryer, cook the fish at 400 degrees for 3 minutes per side.
so easy to make and it was absolutely amazing- thank you for sharing!
You bet and thank YOU for sharing your review!