This Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe is a great choice for a quick and tasty dinner. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a restaurant quality fish dish in your own home.
The bold flavor of the Cajun seasoning complements the tender mahi mahi beautifully, and serving it with a refreshing pineapple coleslaw balances it all out.
Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining friends, this recipe is bound to be a hit!
About the Recipe
This Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe features tender filets coated in bold Cajun seasoning, seared to perfection, and finished with fresh lemon slices for a burst of brightness.
Cooking the seasoned mahi mahi in a hot pan creates a beautiful golden crispy crust while keeping the inside juicy and tender. The blend of Cajun spices and lemon makes this dish truly irresistible.
The mind flavor of the fish makes it a good choice for the whole family. You can enjoy this mahi mahi in fish tacos, sandwiches, salads, or with white rice and lime wedges. I like to serve this with pineapple coleslaw on the side.
If you are looking for more seafood recipes, check out our: Blackened Swordfish, Tuna Carbonara or Baked Pesto Salmon.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
It is quick to prepare - This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients and takes just about 20 minutes to prepare. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick and flavorful meal.
It is simple - Preparing this mahi mahi involves straightforward steps, making it easy for cooks of any skill level to follow. Everyone will appreciate how simple it is to create this delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home.
It is healthy - Mahi mahi is a lean protein source rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. It is a very nutritious white fish choice that's great for the whole family.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this fish recipe:
- Mahi mahi filets
- Cajun seasoning: You can also use any blackened seasoning blend you have on hand.
- Olive oil
- Cole slaw mix
- Pineapple
- Cilantro
- Red Pepper
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
Directions
Let's make this easy recipe together!
Step 1: Combine apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add Cole slaw mix, pineapple, cilantro, and red pepper. Toss well, then refrigerate.
Step 2: Using a paper towel, pat the mahi mahi filets dry and season both sides with the Cajun seasoning.
Step 3: In a pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers.
Step 4: Add the mahi mahi filets to the pan and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until deep golden brown.
Step 5: Let the fish rest for 5 minutes. Serve with pineapple coleslaw and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this easy blackened mahi mahi recipe:
Preheat the pan - Ensure your pan is fully preheated and the oil is shimmering before adding the fish to achieve a perfect sear.
Pat dry - Pat the mahi mahi fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture before seasoning. This helps the spices adhere better and ensures a nice crust during searing.
Resting time - Allow the mahi mahi to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute. This will ensure each bite is moist and flavorful.
Check for doneness - Mahi mahi is best when cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, ensuring it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for the correct temperature.
Serving suggestions - Serve with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or rice to complete the meal.
High quality fish - Always source your fish from a quality fish market or grocery store and seek the freshest fish possible. Look for mahi mahi with firm, translucent flesh and a mild, ocean like smell.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this fresh mahi mahi recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Instant Read Thermometer - This meat thermometer will help you get tender flaky fish that's perfectly cooked every time!
Fry Pan - I have this frying pan and love it. I never have issues with anything sticking!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this seasoned fish recipe.
Mahi Mahi - Instead of mahi mahi filets, you can try swordfish, snapper, tilapia, or grouper. Just make sure the fish you choose is firm and can hold up to searing.
Cajun seasoning - Swap out the cajun seasoning for a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Olive oil - Olive oil can be replaced with avocado oil, canola oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point.
Pineapple - You can switch out the pineapple for mango and chop all ingredients to make a quick mango salsa. You can also swap out peaches for pineapple for a peach salsa.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this fish recipe:
Green Beans and Potatoes - This recipe for Green Beans and Potatoes is the best combination of savory flavors. With roasted potatoes, smoky bacon and tender green beans, this is a great addition to any meal.
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes - Transform frozen cauliflower into creamy, buttery goodness with this Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes recipe. It's a comforting side dish that's as easy to make as it is to savor.
Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad - This Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad combines the vibrant flavors of sweet corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it's best to cook the fish fresh to retain its texture and flavor, there are parts of this recipe you can prepare ahead of time. Season the mahi mahi filets with Cajun seasoning a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to cook them. If you wanted, you could sear them ahead of time and reheat gently in a hot pan or oven just before serving. Keep in mind that reheating may slightly alter the texture.
First, ensure your pan is preheated and the oil is hot enough to shimmer, which will create a nonstick surface. Second, if the fish is stuck to the pan, it’s not ready to be moved. Let it cook undisturbed for the recommended 4-5 minutes to form a crust. Also, make sure you're using enough oil and a quality nonstick pan or stainless steel pan for best results.
Yes, you can grill the mahi mahi instead of cooking it in a pan. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, oil the grates to prevent sticking, and cook the fish for about 4-5 minutes per side, until it reaches a deep golden brown and is cooked through.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
For the Mahi Mahi:
- 2 mahi mahi fillets
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pineapple Cole Slaw:
- 1 cup shredded Cole slaw mix
- ⅓ cup diced pineapple
- ¼ cup diced cilantro
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add Cole slaw mix, pineapple, cilantro, and red pepper. Toss well, then refrigerate.
- Pat swordfish dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat until shimmering.
- Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until deep golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Top with pineapple slaw and serve.
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