Grilled Mahi Mahi

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Reader Rating
Total Time 9 minutes
Servings 6 servings

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My grilled Mahi Mahi is tender, buttery, and flaky, and makes a fantastic weeknight dinner. Ready in under 10 minutes, I keep the seasonings simple to let the delicate and flavorful fish shine. 

grilled mahi mahi.

My family adores my air fryer mahi mahi, but come the warmer months, this nifty gadget gets put in the pantry. Instead, the grill takes center stage, and with that, my grilled mahi mahi recipe becomes a weekly staple.

I learned in culinary school that delicate fish like mahi mahi need minimal seasoning to shine, which is why I keep things simple with salt, pepper, and olive oil. The trick is not to overcook it – just 3 minutes per side, and the fish is perfectly flaky and tender. Bonus: You can use a charcoal grill or a simple grill pan (as pictured), making it just as easy for busy weeknights as it is for summer cookouts. 

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this grilled mahi mahi recipe
  2. Key Ingredients
  3. How to grill Mahi Mahi
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Storage instructions
  7. Grilled Mahi Mahi (Recipe Card)
  8. More easy seafood dinners
  9. More grilled seafood recipes

Why I love this grilled mahi mahi recipe

  • Healthy. Mahi Mahi is low in calories and fat and packs in over 24 grams of protein per serving (source).
  • Quick and easy. This fish is easy to cook, thanks to its firm texture and thicker fillets. 
  • Everyone loves it. Mahi Mahi has a mild flavor (like most white fish), so it’s perfect if you are worried about a potentially fishy taste. 
  • Cooks in 6 minutes. So it’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for grilled mahi mahi.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

  • Skin-on Mahi Mahi. Choose fillets that have a similar size and thickness so they cook at the same time on the grill. I also recommend buying fish from a fishmonger over a grocery store because they aren’t typically frozen and thawed.
  • Olive oil. To season and prevent the fish from sticking to the grill. I tested this with butter and wasn’t impressed.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper. To season.
  • Lemons and parsley. Simple flavor boosters that don’t detract from the natural sweet flavor of the fish. I’ve included some other suggestions below.

How to grill Mahi Mahi

seasoned mahi mahi.

Step 1- Prep the fish. Pat dry the fillets with a paper towel, then rub oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.

mahi mahi on grill.

Step 2- Grill. Preheat the grill to high heat. Brush oil on he grill, then add the Mahi Mahi. Cook for 3 minutes, flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes. 

grilled mahi mahi with skin.

Step 3- Garnish and serve. Remove the fish from the grill, squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle parsley on top, and serve immediately. 

★★★★★ REVIEW

“I have tried a lot of different grilled mahi mahi recipes, and this one is the best one I have found. The recipe is easy to follow, and the end product tastes great. I can’t recommend enough checking out this recipe if you want something quick, simple, and tasty!” – Timothy

Recipe tips and variations

  • You’ll know your fish is cooked when it’s firm around the edges, opaque in color, and flakes easily with a fork. I recommend using a meat thermometer to double-check the internal temperature and make sure it’s 145°F. It’s the easiest way!
  • Be careful when flipping. Use a wide spatula and flip gently- this fish is delicate and can fall apart if you’re not careful.
  • Change up the seasonings! I like to sometimes flavor the fish with paprika, garlic powder, cumin, or, for a spicy kick, some cayenne pepper.
  • Marinate the fish in a flavorful sauce before grilling. I’ve tried eel sauce and katsu sauce, which have worked perfectly for a sweet and umami flavor.

What to serve with grilled Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi is like a blank canvas and pairs well with a bunch of side dishes.

As we typically enjoy this during the warmer months, I love to pair it with a keto broccoli salad, wedge salad, or 7 layer salad. For some carbs, nothing beats some grilled sweet potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen Mahi Mahi fillets? 

Yes, but be sure to thaw it completely beforehand. If I’m using frozen fish, I like to thaw it in the fridge overnight. Remember, pat dry all the moisture from it before seasoning.

Can I use skinless Mahi Mahi?

I recommend using skin-on fillets, even if you don’t plan to eat the skin. Keeping it intact traps the juices, giving you a more buttery, flaky fish. Simply discard the skin before serving if you prefer. 

grilling mahi mahi.

Storage instructions

To store: You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled fish in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to two months.

If you tried this Grilled Mahi Mahi recipe, please leave a star rating and comment. It helps others thinking of making this.

grilled mahi mahi recipe.

Grilled Mahi Mahi

5 from 12 votes
This grilled Mahi Mahi is tender and flaky and cooks in under ten minutes. It's seasoned simply to let the flavor really shine! Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 9 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 6 skin-on fillets Mahi Mahi 4 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions 

  • Pat dry the Mahi Mahi fillets with a paper towel to soak up excess liquid.
  • Place the fish into a bowl and drizzle the oil over it. Sprinkle the salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Lightly grease a grill with olive oil or cooking spray. Turn it up on high heat. Alternatively, use a grill pan over the stove. Once hot, add the Mahi Mahi and cook for 3 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork (and turns opaque) or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
  • Remove the fish from the grill, drizzle lemon juice on top, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Skin-on fillets: Please use this when possible. The skin traps in the juices and yields a more buttery fish. If you use skinless fillets, please be VERY careful flipping.
  • Frozen fish: Please thaw overnight in the fridge. Soak up all moisture before cooking.  
  • Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Reheat in a warm skillet. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 0.5gProtein: 31gFat: 6gSodium: 344mgPotassium: 715mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 307IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

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Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, culinary school graduate, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

5 from 12 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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  1. 5 stars
    I have tried a lot of different grilled mahi mahi recipes, and this one is the best one I have found. The recipe is easy to follow, and the end product tastes great. I can’t recommend enough checking out this recipe if you want something quick, simple, and tasty!