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A fillet of baked mahi mahi over black rice and some cherry salsa over the top

Baked Mahi Mahi

Today’s Baked Mahi Mahi Recipe is a succulent gourmet dinner you can pull off in 30 minutes. Fresh and succulent Mahi Mahi fish baked and served with a bright cherry dill caper salsa for an extra burst of flavor!
Course Main Course, Main Dish, Seafood
Cuisine American, French
Keyword Baked Mahi Mahi, Baked Mahi Mahi Recipe, Mahi Mahi, Mahi Mahi Recipe, seafood
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 814 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Fish:

  • 2 fillets Mahi Mahi defrosted
  • 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • pinch chilli flakes
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic thinly sliced
  • 3 slices lemon
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme and dill

Cherry Dill Salsa:

  • 3/4 cup cherries pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon capers drained
  • 1/3 cup mixed herbs chopped : mostly dill some parsley and chives
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • pinch of salt and pepper

Serving:

  • 1 cup cooked wild rice
  • 1 cup steamed broccoli

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Pat the fish fillets dry on both sides using a paper towel.
    Ingredients for baked mahi mahi recipe including: 2 mahi mahi fish fillet defrosted, salt and pepper, chilli flakes, fresh herbs, garlic and lemon slices, and butter
  3. Season the Mahi Mahi fish on both sides with salt, pepper and a pinch of chilli flakes.
  4. Line your baking dish with a thin layer of oil, half the butter, garlic slices, lemon slices and fresh herbs.
    Baking dish layered with butter, lemon slices, garlic, fresh herbs and ready for the fish
  5. Place the seasoned fish fillets over the herbs on the baking dish and add a tablespoon of butter over each.
    seasoned mahi mahi fish over the baking dish with a dab of butter ontop ready to go to bake in the oven
  6. Bake the fish for approximately 16-18 minutes until the fillets turn opaque completely and slightly golden in color.
  7. While the fish is baking, prepare the salsa. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together and season light. Feel free to add some extra chilli flakes here or jalapeños for a kick—it would be so good!
    A spoon holding off the ready cherry salsa to show the texture of it
  8. Once the fish is ready and out of the oven, spoon over the melted butter at the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle some sweet cherry salsa along the middle of the fish.
    Baked mahi mahi right out of the oven with melted butter around it ready to serve
  9. Serve the baked Mahi Mahi over some cooked wild rice and steamed broccoli for one delicious meal! Enjoy!!
    A fillet of baked mahi mahi over black rice and some cherry salsa over the top

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips For Mahi Mahi Recipe

  • Use quality Mahi Mahi fillets, I got mine from Sealand Quality Foods.
  • Remove from the packaging and defrost the fish in the fridge overnight.
  • It’s best to pat the fish dry before seasoning so you can get a nice crust.
  • You don’t need to heavily season the fish, because it has a very mild and sweet flavor. 
  • The fillet is very sturdy, you’ll probably want to grill it if the weather is warm and it will be so delicious!
  • When drizzling the salsa over the fish, make sure to do so right when the fish if still hot and out of the oven. That’s when the fish will soak up all the flavors.
  • Avoid overcooking the mahi mahi fish. FDA safety temp is 145°F, but pulling at 130-135°F keeps it tender. It will continue cooking after removal.
  • Always Bake the mahi mahi at high heat because low heat dries fish before browning.
  • Adding the butter on top is a must! Mahi mahi is lean so fat improves mouthfeel.
  • You can cover the filets lightly with a foil when it's out of the oven to maintain its juiciness.
  • Double this recipe for a 4 serving size, and you can even triple, quadruple or make it for bigger crowds easily.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or low grade oven. 

Variations

  • Mediterranean Style: Olive oil, garlic, oregano, cherry tomatoes, olives.
  • Garlic Butter Lemon: Butter ,  garlic,  parsley , lemon zest.
  • Cajun Style: Paprika, cayenne, thyme, garlic powder.
  • Tropical Style: Lime, cilantro, chili, mango salsa.
  • Herb Crusted: Panko, parsley, lemon zest, olive oil

What to Serve with Mahi Mahi?

Why Is My Mahi Mahi Dry?

Overcooked or baked too low and too long.

Why Didn’t It Brown?

Surface wasn’t dry or oven not hot enough.

Why Is It Rubbery?

Cooked past 140°F internal.

Can I Bake from Frozen?

Not recommended because the texture suffers. It's always best to thaw first.

Can I Meal Prep It?

Yes, but slightly undercook and reheat gently.

Why the Name Mahi Mahi?

Here’s a fun story about this exotic Hawaiian fish. Whenever I got asked by strangers (and that’s A LOT!) how to pronounce my name, I say one thing. “Do you know the fish Mahi Mahi? Well, it’s like that, except just one Mahi.” :)

Now aside from that cheesy story, Mahi Mahi is such a delicious fish! If you haven’t tried it yet, start with this Baked Mahi Mahi recipe today!

Nutrition Facts
Baked Mahi Mahi
Amount Per Serving
Calories 814 Calories from Fat 621
% Daily Value*
Fat 69g106%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 123mg41%
Sodium 518mg23%
Potassium 736mg21%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 1475IU30%
Vitamin C 47mg57%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.