Mahi mahi is a firm, lean white fish that hails from warm waters off of places like Hawaii or the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a great, less expensive alternative to halibut, and can be grilled, broiled, or even fried. But one of our favorite ways to prepare it is to simply pan-sear it, which lets the flavors and flaky texture shine. Searing it in a pan also lets you make a buttery, lemon-y sauce to drizzle all over the fish
All you need to complete this easy fish dinner is a green salad or vegetable, and maybe some bread or rice to sop up all that tasty sauce. Here’s the easiest way to cook mahi mahi
Buying Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi, also known as dolphinfish, is usually sold as skinless fillets and is generally considered a sustainable seafood from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch list. If you can’t find it fresh, check the frozen seafood section, which may sell them as individually frozen fillets (Costco sells a 3-pound pack of frozen fillets). If you can’t find mahi mahi, look for a meaty white fish like swordfish, halibut, or snapper as an alternative
How to Cook Mahi Mahi
To cook mahi mahi on the stovetop, start with a nonstick or cast iron pan so that there’s less of a chance for the fish to stick. Here are some tips once you’re ready to get going
Use a hot pan and dry fish
To get that nice brown crust on the mahi mahi, make sure the pan is just starting to smoke and the fish has been patted dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before you add it to the pan
Sear more on the first side
Borrowing from a technique we use with pan-seared salmon, let the first side cook longer to develop the crust, then flip the fish over and cook the second side for just a few minutes more
Use lemon slices and lemon juice
After the fish is cooked, add some lemon juice, garlic, and salt and scrape up those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Then add some lemon slices both for flavor and a pretty presentation at the end
Finish with butter and parsley
Finish the sauce with butter, but leave it on the heat just until the butter is melted — don’t keep cooking the sauce. Stir in parsley for some freshness and color, then pour that gorgeous sauce over the fish
Serving Mahi Mahi
The simple sauce is so flavorful that the mahi mahi doesn’t need much else, but no one would argue if you served the fish with something that can soak it all up: some crusty bread, steamed rice, or mashed potatoes are all great candidates. It’s up to you if you want to eat the lemon slices — they get soft in the pan and offer a nice contrast to the flaky fish and buttery sauce. A green vegetable, such as asparagus or green beans, also pairs delightfully
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