Blackened Mahi Mahi

Why not have Cajun seasoned fish on the menu this evening? Blackened mahi mahi with homemade seasoning is a great protein to fry in your cast iron skillet. It’s so easy to prepare and cook and you will love the perfectly balanced mahi rub flavours. I bet you already have most of the ingredients on hand for this!

Blackened mahi mahi with lime, herbs and spices is so simple to make and the flavour is just as good as anything you can order in a seafood restaurant. You can tweak the mahi rub to your palate and also try another kind of fish if you want to experiment.

Cajun Seasoned Fish Ingredients

To make the most delicious blackened mahi mahi, you will need fish filets, lime and oil. The homemade seasoning includes paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, thyme, chilli powder, salt, and pepper.

Alternatives to mahi mahi include cod, salmon, grouper, haddock, or flounder. As for the seasoning, feel free to leave out the chilli powder for a milder flavour or tweak the other ingredients or amounts.

How to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi

The first step in making Cajun seasoned fish is to preheat a cast iron skillet. While it heats up, you can pat paper towels on the fish to get rid of any moisture. Mix the homemade seasoning ingredients together then spread the mahi rub mixture over a plate.

Brush lime juice over both sides of the fish, and then dip it in the homemade seasoning mix. Melt coconut oil in the skillet, which should be hot by now. Then cook the fish for several minutes per side or until it’s blackened on both sides and at least 135 degrees F in the center. Serve with cilantro and lime wedges, as well as your favourite sides. If you love this recipe, I bet you’d also enjoy blackened tilapia nachos.

Side Dishes for Blackened Mahi Mahi

Since blackened mahi mahi has such a bold flavour, you might like to consider neutral or mild-tasting sides, as a contrast. Mashed potatoes are always good with such dishes, or perhaps you prefer roasted Brussels sprouts or creamy mushroom risotto.

You can’t go far wrong with a simple green salad, especially with ‘cooling’ veggies such as cucumber to contrast with the spicy fish. And a salad is always a good way to clear out your crisper drawer and use up anything getting beyond its prime.

5 Tips for Perfect Blackened Fish

Making blackened mahi mahi isn’t hard at all, but if you’re new to this kind of cooking, it’s worth knowing a few tips before you get started:

1. Open a window. Or two. Or all of them! As you might expect, this recipe produces a lot of smoke, which is why many home cooks prefer to use an outdoor grill. But you can make it indoors. However, instead of setting off all your smoke alarms, you can just open a window or door, and have the extractor fan on max. Solved!
2. Tweak the seasoning ingredients to suit your palate. If you don’t have some of the ingredients in the mahi rub, simply use what you do have. There are many different blackening spice recipes but it’s also fun to come up with your own.
3. Invest in a good cast iron skillet. This cookware can withstand very high temperatures without cracking or warping. The iron content in the skillet reacts with acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes and also blackens and crisps up the fish coating.
4. Don’t forget to pat the fish dry before adding the lime juice and seasoning mixture, else any moisture will dilute the lime and make it harder for the seasoning to stick.
5. Butter is often used to make blackened fish. I like to use coconut oil. You could even use avocado or olive oil, or a combination.

Blackened Mahi Mahi FAQs

Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe

You’re going to love this tasty blackened mahi mahi. Cajun seasoned fish in a cast iron skillet boasts big flavours and it’s really quick and easy to make too.

Other Recipes You Will Love

• Easy Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes
• Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia Baja Fish Nachos
• Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
• Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo
• Smoker Grilled Fish Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Coleslaw