Blackened Mahi Mahi | Kara Lydon

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 blackened mahi mahi 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. It’s a great source of protein, vitamins B3, B6, and B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. 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

Equipment You’ll Need (affiliate links – if you make a purchase I receive a small commission):

Cast iron pan

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.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between grilled and blackened mahi mahi?

Blackened fish is often smoky and juicy from the spices and herbs its seasoned with while grilled fish has more of a natural, charred flavor. Blackened fish tends to have more of an intense flavor from the seasonings and grilled fish usually has a simpler flavor.

What is meant by blackened fish?

Food that is blackened is coated in a special spice blend that takes on a very dark brown or almost black color when cooked in a skillet, on a grill, or in an oven. Blackening spices are usually a blend of a variety of spices and herbs that are traditional from both Cajun and Creole cooking. 

Why is my mahi mahi chewy?

If your fish has a chewy texture it’s likely because you overcooked it. When mahi mahi is overcooked it will shrink, firm up, and dry out. To prevent this from happening, I like to place the fish 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. 

What does mahi mahi filet taste like?

Like many other tropical fish, mahi mahi is semi-mild and sweet tasting 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. 

Storage and Preparation

Blackened Mahi Mahi leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Recipes That Pair Well

Summer Peach Corn Salad

Instant Pot Asparagus

Vegetarian Rice Pilaf

Kohlrabi Fries (Baked or Air Fryer)

For more seafood inspiration, check out my other recipes below!

Blackened Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Salsa

Spicy Seafood Stuffed Peppers

Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

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!

Don’t miss a recipe! Sign up to receive my monthly newsletter with a round-up of recipes from the previous month and get my FREE guide when you sign up: Rediscover the Joy in Eating: 5 Simple Steps to Stop Stressing Over Food + Enjoy Every Bite.

Print