10+ Mahi Mahi Recipes to Brighten Your Dinner Table

Mahi mahi is a tasty fish that cooks quickly and works well with all sorts of flavors. You can keep it simple or jazz it up with sauces and spices to make dinner a little more fun.

Here are some easy mahi mahi recipes you can try at home if you’re in the mood for fresh, flavorful seafood. There’s something here for different tastes and cooking moods, so you’ll probably find one that fits.

1) Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with Lemon Butter Sauce

Pan-searing mahi mahi makes for a quick, tasty meal. Just season the fillets with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high until it’s hot. Cook the fillets for around 4-5 minutes on each side so they turn golden and flake easily.

Melt butter in the same pan for the lemon butter sauce. Toss in fresh lemon juice, garlic, and a splash of white wine or water.

Let it simmer until the sauce thickens a bit. Pour it over the fish before serving.

This dish goes great with some veggies or rice.

Ingredients:

• 4 mahi mahi fillets
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season mahi mahi with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Cook fish 4-5 minutes per side until golden and flaky.
4. Remove fish and melt butter in the pan.
5. Add garlic, lemon juice, and wine. Simmer until sauce thickens.
6. Pour sauce over fish and serve warm.

Find more tips at The Forked Spoon.

2) Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi

Ginger glazed mahi mahi is surprisingly easy to make and tastes great. The glaze uses fresh ginger, honey, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar.

You get a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the mild fish. You can bake or pan-sear the fillets, whatever feels right.

The glaze thickens a little and gives the fish a shiny finish. Serve with rice or steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 mahi mahi fillets
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking.
2. Mix honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ginger, and garlic in a bowl.
3. Season mahi mahi with salt and pepper.
4. Brush the glaze over the fish.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or pan-sear over medium heat until cooked through.
6. Spoon extra glaze on top before serving.

More on this recipe here.

3) Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos with Cilantro-Jalapeño Crema

These blackened mahi mahi tacos come together fast and pack a punch. Coat the fish in bold spices and cook until you get a nice sear.

The cilantro-jalapeño crema brings a creamy, spicy kick. Serve the fish in warm tortillas.

Top with fresh stuff like mango salsa or cabbage. You’ll have dinner ready in about 20 minutes.

You can grill or pan-sear the mahi mahi, depending on what you like.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs mahi mahi fillets
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño, seeded
• 8 small tortillas

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat mahi mahi with the spice mix.
3. Cook fish in a hot pan or grill for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Blend sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeño for the crema.
5. Warm tortillas, add fish, and top with crema.

4) Baked Mahi Mahi with Garlic Salt and Pepper

Baked mahi mahi doesn’t need much to taste good. Rinse the fish and put it in a baking dish.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets. Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper evenly on top.

This combo keeps the flavor mild but not boring. Bake at 425°F (220°C) until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

It usually takes about 12-15 minutes, depending on how thick your fillets are.

Ingredients

• 4 mahi mahi fillets
• 1 lemon
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rinse the mahi mahi fillets and place them in a baking dish.
3. Squeeze lemon juice over the fish.
4. Sprinkle with garlic salt and black pepper evenly.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes easily.

5) Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Soy Glaze

Mahi mahi with pineapple soy glaze is both sweet and savory. The glaze mixes pineapple juice and soy sauce for a simple, tasty coating.

It brings a gentle sweetness and a little kick from crushed red pepper. Brush the glaze on the fillets before grilling or pan-searing.

Cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork. The glaze caramelizes just a bit, giving the fish a nice shine.

This dish is great with rice or steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 6 mahi mahi fillets (4 oz each)
• ¾ cup 100% pineapple juice
• 1½ tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, and crushed red pepper in a bowl.
2. Brush the glaze on both sides of the mahi mahi fillets.
3. Heat a grill or skillet to medium-high (about 375°F / 190°C).
4. Cook fish 4-5 minutes per side until opaque and flakes easily.
5. Serve with extra glaze spooned on top.

6) Mahi Mahi with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Lemon garlic sauce makes mahi mahi bright and fresh. Sear the fish in a hot pan until golden on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Lower the heat, then add butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Stir gently to blend the flavors and coat the fish.

The sauce brings a zesty kick that plays well with the mild fish. Serve with steamed veggies or rice.

This one’s quick—about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients:

• 2 mahi mahi fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil.
3. Cook the fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low, add butter, garlic, and lemon juice.
5. Stir the sauce and spoon it over the fish.
6. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat and serve.

7) Grilled Mahi Mahi with Fresh Asparagus

Grilling mahi mahi brings out its mild flavor and keeps the texture tender. Just season the fillets with salt and pepper.

Fresh asparagus adds a nice crunch. Heat your grill to about 375°F (190°C).

Place the fish and asparagus on the grill. Grill the mahi mahi for 4-5 minutes per side.

Asparagus cooks faster—just 3-4 minutes—so keep an eye on it. For extra flavor, brush the fish with miso butter or a lemon rosemary sauce.

That little touch really brings it together.

Ingredients

• 2 mahi mahi fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp butter or miso butter
• 1 lemon, sliced or juiced
• 1 tbsp rosemary (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season mahi mahi with salt and pepper.
3. Brush fillets with butter or miso butter.
4. Place mahi mahi and asparagus on grill.
5. Grill fish for 4-5 minutes each side.
6. Grill asparagus for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally.
7. Squeeze lemon juice over cooked fish and asparagus before serving.

8) Sauteed Mahi Mahi with Butter and Olive Oil

Start by seasoning your mahi mahi fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high until it’s just about to smoke.

Place the fish in the pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Once it’s golden and cooked through, add butter to the pan.

Let the butter melt and mix with the olive oil—it makes a rich, simple sauce. Spoon this buttery sauce over the mahi mahi before serving.

It’s a smooth, subtle flavor that lets the fish shine.

Ingredients

• 4 mahi mahi fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the fillets.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high until it just starts to smoke.

3. Place the fillets in the pan and cook them for 3-5 minutes on each side. Let them get golden and crisp.

4. Toss in some butter and let it melt into the oil.

5. Right before serving, spoon that buttery oil over the fish.

For more ideas on buttery mahi mahi, check out pan-seared mahi mahi with lemon butter sauce.

9) Cajun Spiced Blackened Mahi Mahi

Cajun spiced blackened mahi mahi is honestly so easy and full of flavor. It’s all about that spice blend—paprika, cayenne, thyme, garlic powder—just a wild mix that wakes up your taste buds.

When you toss the fish in a hot pan, it cooks fast and gets this dark, crispy crust. Somehow, it stays juicy inside. Perfect for those nights when you want something bold but don’t have time to fuss.

If you’re worried about the heat, just dial back the cayenne. That’s the beauty of homemade spice blends.

Ingredients

• 2 mahi mahi fillets
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir all the spices together in a small bowl.

2. Pat the mahi mahi dry, then rub the spice mix all over both sides.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high (about 375°F/190°C).

4. Cook the fish for 3-4 minutes on each side. You want it blackened and cooked through.

5. Serve with lime wedges or whatever toppings you like.

For a full spice blend recipe, check out this Cajun seasoning mix.

10) Steamed Mahi Mahi with Nut Salsa

You can steam mahi mahi in the oven, and it’s surprisingly simple. Steaming keeps the fish moist and soft, which is honestly what you want.

Just season the fillets with salt and pepper. Let the fish stand out on its own.

For the nut salsa, chop up your favorite nuts and mix them with fresh herbs. This gives a crunchy bite and a fresh, herby kick. The salsa doesn’t drown out the fish—it just adds a little something extra.

If you’re after a light meal, this one’s for you. Serve it with rice or maybe just a salad if you’re feeling lazy (or healthy).

Ingredients

• 4 mahi mahi fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

2. Grab a baking sheet, line it with foil, and give it a quick brush of oil.

3. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the mahi mahi. Place the fish right on the foil.

4. Pop the baking sheet into the oven. Let the fish steam for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until it looks cooked through.

5. While the fish cooks, toss together nuts, chopped parsley, and a splash of olive oil. That’s your nut salsa.

6. Once the fish is ready, spoon the nut salsa on top and serve.

Curious about steaming fish in the oven? Take a look at this Oven-Steamed Cod or Mahi Mahi in Green Tomatillo Salsa Recipe.