On your table in less than 15 minutes, this blackened mahi mahi is made pan-seared with a flavorful spice rub made with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano.
Why I Love This Recipe
This meal makes for a perfect weeknight dinner, coming together in just 15 minutes! While its simple enough to be added to your weeknight dinner rotation, it’s also impressive and tasty enough to serve to guests.
This dish is loaded with flavor. The surface of the fish takes on a crisp, almost caramelized texture and has a buttery yet spicy flavor with a both little heat and subtle sweetness. Coated in a flavorful blackening spice rub made with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano, it’s bold and super satisfying!
I love serving blackened mahi over a bed of white rice, with a side of green beans, and topped with a fresh mango salsa.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on Ingredients
mahi mahi filets: mahi mahi is a versatile, lean white fish with a slightly sweet taste and mild to moderate flavor but not fishy. It’s similar to halibut in terms of flakiness, but also similar to swordfish in its denseness. Mahi mahi is commonly paired with citrus flavors like lime and fruit salsas. I find it’s most accessible when purchasing it frozen. If using frozen mahi, let it de-thaw first in the refrigerator.
smoked paprika: adds a smoky, woodsy flavor with a little bit of sweetness
onion & garlic powder: flavor enhancers
cayenne powder: provides some heat to the dish
thyme: adds an earthy, minty, lemony flavor
oregano: gives a bold and pungent flavor
brown sugar: balances the heat from spices and gives a hint of sweetness
salt & pepper: essential flavor enhancers
butter: used for cooking in the cast iron pan and acts as a flavor enhancer
Nutrition Benefits of Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi a great source of protein, vitamins B3, B6, and B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Equipment You’ll Need (affiliate links – if you make a purchase I receive a small commission):
How to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Combine spices. Whisk together smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
- Season mahi filets. Pat the mahi mahi dry with paper towels then coat all sides of the filets with the spice rub.
- Cook mahi mahi. Cook mahi undisturbed until sides are cooked just past halfway up the filets, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through and flakes easily, another 2-4 minutes.
- Serve. Serve blackened mahi mahi with rice and a fruit salsa.
Expert Tips
I like to serve this mahi mahi with a fruit salsa – the sweetness and acidity are a nice contrast to the heat of the blackened seasoning. To make the mango salsa, I used:
- 1 mango, diced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, diced (estimate – I didn’t measure)
- 1 small or 1/2 medium-large jalapeno pepper, minced
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- Salt, to taste
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and adjust seasoning / spice level, as needed.
To prevent the fish from drying out when cooking, I like to place it on a hot pan and leave it undisturbed until I can see all sides are cooked just past halfway up the filets, about 3-4 minutes. Then I flip them for another 2-4 minutes until the fish flakes easily.
Storage and Preparation
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Recipes That Pair Well
Kohlrabi Fries (Baked or Air Fryer)
For more seafood inspiration, check out my other recipes below!
Blackened Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Salsa
Shrimp and Veggie Kabobs with Wild Blueberry Barbeque Sauce
Easy Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!
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PrintBlackened Mahi Mahi
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 3 filets 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
On your table in less than 15 minutes, this blackened mahi mahi is made pan-seared with a flavorful spice rub made with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3, 5-6 ounce mahi mahi filets
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, until combined.
- Pat the mahi mahi dry with paper towels.
- Season all sides of the mahi filets with the spice rub.
- In a nonstick or cast iron pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add mahi mahi and cook undisturbed until sides are cooked just past halfway up the filets, about 3-4 minutes. Flip filets, and cook until cooked through and flakes easily, another 2-4 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Serve mahi mahi with rice and a fruit salsa.
Notes
- I love serving this blackened mahi with a mango salsa. To make, simply dice a mango, some red bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Add squeeze from 1/2 lime and salt, to taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan Sear
- Cuisine: Cajun