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Home » Seafood » Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
July 9, 2020
4.78 from 939 votes


Last Updated December 3, 2020 | 86 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce Pinterest Pin Image
Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce Pinterest Pin Image
Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce Pinterest Pin Image

Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce. A simple and wildly delicious way to prepare and serve this tender, flakey, and popular white fish.

Skillet filled with fully cooked mahi mahi fillets cooked in a lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.

Perfect Mahi Mahi Recipe

Every couple of weeks I get a huge craving for fish. This craving usually evolves into one of a handful of different recipes including fish sticks, baked fish with tomatoes, artichokes, and feta, or some version of pan-seared fish usually served with a big scoop of tartar sauce.

This week, however, I was feeling inspired by my favorite chicken piccata recipe and this (reader favorite) garlic butter sauce. Picking mahi-mahi fish rather than my usual go-to codfish fillets, the result was this easy, 30-minute pan-seared mahi-mahi dinner. Delicious, flavorful, and made with just 7 ingredients – that’s it! 

One of my favorite parts about this recipe (aside from the fish, of course) is that it pairs so well with just about everything. From rice to couscous, pasta to potatoes (yes, you really want buttery mashed potatoes here), to every single veggie you can possibly imagine. 

Who’s ready to start cooking?

What is Mahi Mahi?

The mahi-mahi, also known as the common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) or dorado, is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish commonly found off-shore in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. The name “mahi-mahi” is derived from the Hawaiian word for “very strong”.

Sustainability is determined by a number of factors, the most important being where and how the mahi-mahi is caught.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, 

  • Best – mahi-mahi (aka dolphinfish, dorado) caught in the U.S. Atlantic with handlines and hand-operated pole-and-lines or trolling lines.
  • Second-best – mahi-mahi caught in the Eastern Central Pacific in the unassociated purse seine fishery or by U.S., Ecuadorian and Panamanian fleets. Understand that there are some issues with at-risk or overfished species in these areas.
  • Avoid – All other imported mahi-mahi from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Note: most of the dolphinfish sold in the U.S. is imported which means that most of the mahi-mahi sold in the U.S. is on the avoid list.

Skillet filled with fully cooked mahi mahi fillets cooked in a lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.

Ingredients and Frequently Asked Questions

  • Mahi Mahi fillets
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Whole garlic cloves
  • Fresh whole lemons (for juicing and slicing)
  • Fresh parsley

Can I use any other white fish to make this recipe?

If you can’t find mahi-mahi, replace it with another type of flakey white fish. My top picks include cod, halibut, and tilapia. Total cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size and overall thickness of your fillets.

Can I grill my mahi-mahi instead?

Instead of pan-searing your mahi-mahi, why not try grilling? Just as quick as cooking on the stovetop, here’s how you’ll do it:

  1. Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat (or 450 degrees F).
  2. Season your fish with salt and pepper, or other desired seasoning (try adding a dash of onion powder or garlic powder or go all-out with your favorite cajun seasoning, blackening seasoning, etc.) and brush both sides with olive oil.
  3. Place each fillet directly on the grill. Grill for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. It’s fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 137 degrees F.
  4. Remove from the grill and smother in your homemade garlic butter sauce.

How are leftovers?

First and foremost, don’t try to freeze leftovers and reheat later. Yes, it will be edible, but no, it will not even come close in taste or texture to the original. Your best bet? Store leftovers in a sealed container and in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.  I typically reheat my fish in the microwave at 30-second intervals until it is just heated through. You will probably notice that your fish isn’t as tender or flakey – that’s normal.

White plate with four mahi mahi fillets seasoned with salt and pepper.

How to Cook Mahi Mahi

1. Season the fillets.

But first, pat each mahi-mahi fillet dry with paper towels. This guarantees that flavorful, golden sear we’re after. Next, season both sides of your fish fillets with salt and lemon pepper or your own combination of seasoning. Options include salt and black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

2. Prepare the ingredients for the garlic butter sauce.

Once you get started cooking things move pretty fast, so I like to have everything prepared and ready to go before I start.

Wash your lemons. Then, thinly slice one lemon and juice the other lemon into a small bowl so that you have approximately 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Mince the fresh garlic cloves and set aside.

3. Pan sear the mahi-mahi.

Add the olive oil to a large stainless steel skillet or cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Once the olive oil is nice and hot, carefully add each fillet. Sear, undisturbed, until nicely golden brown and the sides are cooked just past halfway up the fillets. This will take about 4 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish (the fish is cooked when it’s no longer opaque-looking).

Flip and continue to cook on the other side until just cooked through, about 2-4 minutes more (mahi-mahi should reach an internal temperature of 137°F). Remove from heat and transfer fillets to a serving plate.

4. Prepare the lemon garlic sauce.

Immediately start the sauce. In the same skillet (or in a new one), heat the butter, lemon juice, and lemon slices over medium heat. Heat until the butter is melted and just starting to bubble. Stir in the garlic, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic is lightly golden. Stir in the fresh minced parsley and drained capers (optional).

5. Combine and serve.

Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the mahi-mahi and serve immediately with all your favorite side dishes.

Skillet filled with melted butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic.

What to Serve with Mahi Mahi?

There are so many great things to serve with this mahi-mahi recipe. A few healthy favorites include brown rice, wild rice, or even cauliflower rice. Dry something a little creamier like buttery mashed potatoes or (my favorite) low-carb cauliflower mashed potatoes. Of course, when in doubt, big chunks of warm bread are always fantastic dunked in some extra butter sauce.

Add some greens with a light salad, roasted beets, or steamed veggies of any kind.

More Fish Recipes,

Fish Ceviche Recipe (How to Make Ceviche)

Pineapple Coconut Thai Fish Curry

Mediterranean Baked Fish with Artichokes and Olives

Jamaican Jerk Cod with Mango Avocado Salsa

Norwegian Salt Cod Stew (Bacalao)

If you try making this Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Four mahi mahi fillets in a large skillet covered with a homemade lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.

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Skillet filled with fully cooked mahi mahi fillets cooked in a lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.

Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce

4.78 from 939 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce. A simple and wildly delicious way to prepare and serve this tender, flakey, and popular white fish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Dinner, Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 (4-6 ounce) Mahi Mahi Fillets
  • salt - to season
  • lemon pepper - to season
  • 1 lemon - thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon - juiced
  • 5 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoon salted butter
  • 2 tablespoon capers - drained (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley - minced
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Season the mahi mahi. Gently pat each mahi-mahi fillet dry with paper towels and generously season both sides of each fillet with salt and lemon pepper. Set aside.
  • Prepare the ingredients for the Lemon garlic sauce. Thinly slice one lemon and juice the other lemon into a small bowl so that you have approximately 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Mince the garlic and set it aside so that it is already ready for when it's time to cook the butter sauce.
  • Pan sear the mahi mahi. Add the olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Once the olive oil is nice and hot, carefully add each fillet. Sear, undisturbed, until nicely golden brown on the bottom, and the sides are cooked just past halfway up the fillets, about 4 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish (the fish is cooked when it's no long opaque-looking). Flip and continue to cook on the other side until just cooked through, about 2-4 minutes more (mahi-mahi should reach an internal temperature of 137°F). Remove from heat and transfer fillets to a serving plate.
  • Prepare the garlic butter sauce. In the same skillet (or in a new one), heat the butter, lemon juice, and lemon slices over medium heat. Heat until the butter is melted and just starting to bubble. Stir in the garlic, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook for 1 minute, or until the garlic is lightly golden. Stir in the fresh minced parsley and drained capers (optional).
  • Combine and serve. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the mahi-mahi and serve immediately.

Jessica's Notes

Check out the full post for some answers to frequently asked questions.
This recipe is gluten-free, high in protein, and low in carbs.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Mahi Mahi, Mahi Mahi Recipe, Mahi Mahi with Garlic Butter Sauce
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

22.0K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Anna says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe & love it! I made a Mahi Mahi filet & a chicken breast for my hubby. The sauce tastes phenomenal on chicken breast! This is my go to sauce when in a pinch- it’s quick to make & versatile. I’m going to try it on pork loin next.

    Reply
  2. Nicu says

    February 6, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    I was lucky to find a huge mahi mahi on sale today and this recipe was perfect. I changed only one thing, made brown butter. Even the cat approves (sans garlic sauce). Definitely make this again

    Reply
  3. Dan in Kenya says

    February 2, 2023 at 5:49 am

    I just bought one whole mahi mahi fish and am excited to cook it. In addition to the 7 ingredients I am going to try to use Old Bay in addition.

    Reply
  4. Helen says

    January 31, 2023 at 5:39 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely perfect. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe that my whole family enjoyed.

    Reply
  5. Suzanne Chauvet says

    January 31, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    Very precise instructions for a simple and zesty keto friendly fish dish. Thank-you for sharing your knowledge with this quick, tasty and healthy recipie!

    Reply
  6. Pamela says

    January 20, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this a few times, and it is delicious. I made it when visiting my son and his family, and a few months later, my son, not a frequent communicator, called me to ask for the recipe. I felt almost like he’d said something warm and fuzzy to me. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Deirdre E Seim says

    January 18, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    Way too much lemon juice. It really overwhelmed all the other flavors. If I make this again, I would reduce the lemon juice by half.

    Reply
  8. Todd says

    January 17, 2023 at 11:08 am

    My bad, I just saw how much butter – 4 Tbsps

    Reply
  9. Todd says

    January 17, 2023 at 11:07 am

    I’m a new cook, and the recipe doesn’t say how much butter to use; does that mean you just sort of ‘fake it til you make it?’

    Reply
    • jack says

      January 20, 2023 at 2:34 pm

      i see 4 tablespoons of butter.

      Reply
  10. Fred says

    January 15, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    Simple and tasty!

    Reply
  11. Kimberly says

    December 19, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for my family and it was delicious. Note to self: double the sauce next time!

    Reply
  12. Eva says

    December 18, 2022 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent simple meal, with minimum prep time. Family raved about plates!

    Reply
  13. davida says

    November 28, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely my favorite and go to Mahi recipe. I use basil instead of parsley and use several spices to season… It’s a perfect combination of flavors.
    Thank you !

    Reply
  14. Rocel says

    November 28, 2022 at 8:40 am

    5 stars
    Just made this last night. It was very good. It gave me a new appreciation for Mahi Mahi. And the lemon garlic butter sauce is a game changer, it brings the dish to the next level. This is a keeper. Will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  15. Sharon says

    November 22, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    Made this recipe Nov 22, 2022, and it was excellent! Often I will squeeze lemon on fish, but I find I taste the lemon sporadically. It drains off the fish onto the plate. The Garlic Lemon Butter sauce is delicious and I think the butter keeps the sauce on the fish, so you really get the lemon flavour with every bite of fish. The capers and parsley, just add more flavour. But without the capers it is still delicious. My daughter has Colitis, which was in an inflamed state, so all she can eat at the moment is a white fish, and no dairy. So, in place of butter, I used Becel vegetable margarine, that was lactose free. I kept the capers and parsley on the side, so others could add it themselves. She couldn’t have it. She loved it! I also made it on Haddock. There was no Mahi Mahi in any of the grocery stores where I live. Not in season I was told. Thank you for sharing this recipe. It will be my go to, using the sauce for any fish.

    Reply
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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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