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This Blackened Mahi Mahi is so flavorful and tasty. The spice rub used to blacken the fish adds a wonderful depth of smokey flavor to the mild and slightly sweet taste of mahi mahi.
This blackened mahi mahi recipe is my go-to recipe for seafood night at our house.
The “blackened” preparation refers to the cooking technique in which the fish is coated with a flavorful spice rub, in this case, the Kiss of Smoke seasoning from Grilling Montana, and then cooked in a flash in your oven.
While this recipe uses a conventional oven, check out my Air Fryer Mahi Mahi to learn how to make it in an air fryer.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe uses:
- mahi mahi filets, skin on
- Kiss of Smoke Seasoning Blend
- paprika – regular or smoked paprika is delicious here
- oregano
- dried thyme
- cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- olive oil
- Lime wedges, for serving
How To Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.
Step 1: Preheat your oven’s broiler and position the top rack in the upper third of the oven.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the Kiss of Smoke Seasoning blend with the thyme, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix to distribute the spices evenly.
Step 3: Pat the mahi mahi filets dry. Then drizzle with about 1 tsp of olive oil on each filet. Rub the olive oil into the pink sides of the fish.
Step 4: Sprinkle the spice blend over the mahi mahi filets and use your hands to rub the spice blend into the pink sides of the fish.
Step 5: Place the mahi mahi on a rimmed baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 7-10 minutes until the internal temperature of the fish is 140-145˚F degrees. The fish should flake easily when fully cooked.
Step 6: Drizzle with lime juice if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Mahi mahi, also known as a common dolphinfish or dorado, is a fish species found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It is a popular seafood dish that originated in Louisiana and is inspired by Cajun and Creole cooking.
Generally speaking, mahi mahi fishing season tends to be more bountiful during the warmer months.
You can buy mahi mahi from any of your favorite grocery stores or butcher.
Look for mahi mahi with bright, shiny skin and vibrant colors. Avoid fish with dull or discolored skin. The texture should be firm and bounce back when you touch it.
Avoid fish that feel mushy or have soft spots. Also, avoid any mahi mahi that smells too fishy or overly pungent.
There are a few reasons your mahi mahi could turn out chewy including overcooking, cooking fish for a long period of time at an excessively high heat, not enough moisture, and improper thawing – to name a few. Make sure you follow the step-by-step instructions!
Blackened seasoning is a flavorful spice blend commonly used in Cajun and Creole cuisine, particularly in dishes like blackened fish or chicken. Blackened seasoning is known for its robust, smoky, and spicy flavor profile. Its name comes from the darkened appearance of the food when cooked.
No! Burning your dish will cause your mahi mahi to have a different texture and flavor than intended.
Many types of fish can be blackened with a flavorful spice blend to create a delicious and distinctive dish. The blackened seasoning complements the natural flavors of the fish and adds a smokey, spicy kick. Especially when used in tandem with the Kiss of Smoke rub.
Fish you can blacken are redfish/red drum, snapper, mahi-mahi, salmon, and tilapia – to name a few. You can also blacken chicken.
Expert Tips
- Keep in mind that the “blackening” process can create smoke due to the high heat used, so it’s essential to have proper ventilation in the kitchen or prepare the dish outdoors on a grill or a portable burner.
- You can also use skinless filets. Your fish will cook in the same amount of time.
- The fish in these photos is served with Instant Pot basmati rice and mango salsa. This was a great combination!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- To store, allow the mahi mahi to fully cool and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To reheat mahi mahi while preserving its flavor and texture preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 250˚F degrees) and wrap the mahi mahi in aluminum foil or place it in an oven-safe dish with a lid to prevent any moisture loss. Reheat the fish in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until it reaches your desired temperature. Your reheat time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish.
What to serve with this recipe
- Rice – like Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Grilled vegetables – Roasted Frozen Broccoli
- Mango salsa or Mango Pico de Gallo
- Avocado salad
- Sweet potato fries – Frozen Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Your favorite bread – Air Fryer Cornbread
- Mixed greens salad – Easy Cabbage Salad
- Quinoa salad – Instant Pot Quinoa
Feel free to mix and match your side dishes based on your preferences! The key is to choose sides that balance and enhance the flavors of the blackened mahi mahi, while also offering a variety of textures and tastes to create a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Kiss of Smoke seasoning blend
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper {more or less to taste}
- 1 lb mahi mahi filets {skin on}
- 2 tsp olive oil, divided
- lime wedges {for serving}
Instructions
- Preheat your oven's broiler and position the top rack in the upper third of the oven.
- In a small bowl, combine the Kiss of Smoke Seasoning blend with the thyme, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix to distribute the spices evenly.2 tbsp Kiss of Smoke seasoning blend, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Pat the Mahi Mahi filets dry with paper towels.1 lb mahi mahi filets
- Drizzle 1 tsp of olive oil on each filet. Rub the olive oil into the pink sides of the fish.2 tsp olive oil, divided
- Sprinkle the spice blend over the mahi mahi filets and use your hands to rub the spice blend into the pink sides of the fish.
- Place the mahi mahi on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 7-10 minutes until the internal temperature of the fish is 140-145˚F degrees. The fish should flake easily when fully cooked.
- Drizzle with lime juice if desired.lime wedges
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
