What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (2024)

Plus, get our best Mahi Mahi recipes.

By

Hannah Klinger

What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (1)

Hannah Klinger is a writer, editor, and content manager at Savory Magazine. She has a passion for helping home cooks build their confidence in the kitchen with hacks, how-tos, and guides to inspire them to try something new. She's contributed to America's Test Kitchen, Cooking Light, Food & Wine, EatingWell, and more.

Published on April 22, 2024

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What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (2)

A fish so nice you say it twice! The name mahi mahi comes from the Hawaiian word for strong, so it translates as “strong strong." It is also sometimes called dolphinfish (though it has no relation to that animal) or dorado.

This fish has a firm flesh and a mild, sweet flavor that makes it very versatile, making it a great way to add more seafood to your meal rotation. Read on to learn more about mahi mahi and how to cook it at home.

What is Mahi Mahi?

Mahi mahi is a fish that swims in the South Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and (sometimes) the Atlantic. It has a tough skin that is not eaten and a firm white flesh similar to swordfish or halibut (though it costs less than both).

That firm texture makes mahi mahi ideal for grilling or a high-heat sear. You likely won’t see fresh whole or fresh filets of mahi mahi at your store. Instead, look for frozen mahi mahi filets—an affordable protein to keep on hand for easy meals.

What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (3)

How to Cook Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi might as well be the chicken of the sea in many ways: It can be grilled, air-fried, baked, or pan-seared. Skip more delicate cooking methods like poaching or steaming, which are too gentle for this firm fish.

It’s also very lean, so you’ll want to be careful not to overcook it. If the filets include the skin, leave it on so they hold their shape while they cook. As with any fish, be sure to pat it dry with paper towels and coat your pan or grill grates with oil to help keep the fish from sticking. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your cooking method. The fish will be done when it is no longer opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Is Mahi Mahi Healthy?

Mahi Mahi is leaner than oily fish like salmon and sardines, but it is still a good source of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. It is also rich in iron and selenium, a nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties that is also great for your heart health. Like many fresh fish, the fact that mahi mahi is low in calories and high in protein makes it a healthier choice compared to other proteins like red meat.

What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (4)

Is Mahi Mahi Sustainable?

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, Mahi Mahi that is caught by U.S. fisheries in the North Atlantic is considered the best choice. This means that fisheries don’t have a significant impact on the environment and that there’s less of a danger of overfishing (mainly because mahi mahi develop fairly fast). Pole-and-line-caught mahi mahi is best, as other methods can impact bycatch (fish that weren’t intended to be caught and often go to waste).

Mahi Mahi Recipes

Cooking mahi mahi is easy and delicious—the hardest part will be deciding which recipe to try first! Luckily, we’ve collected sixteen of our favorites in this Top-Rated Mahi Mahi Recipes gallery. A few recipes you won’t want to miss:

Ready to incorporate more fish into your meals? Learn more about how to shop, store, and cook fish if you are a beginner and what to look for in fresh fish from your seafood counter.

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What Is Mahi Mahi and How Do You Cook It? (2024)

FAQs

How should you eat mahi mahi? ›

It is a popular choice for grilling because it doesn't fall apart easily. It can also be sautéed, broiled, baked or used in soups, and its mild flavor works well with Caribbean and Pacific Rim spices. Similar fish include swordfish, tuna or striped bass.

What does mahi mahi fish taste like? ›

What Does Mahi-Mahi Taste Like? Mahi-mahi has mild, sweet flesh that looks pinkish but turns white as it cooks. It is rather lean, firm, and compact (not flaky), but it is also delicate, moist, and flavorful. The "fishy" flavor is often described as stronger than halibut but milder than swordfish.

Is mahi mahi a good fish? ›

This fish is high in protein and low in calories, it is also jam packed with iron for building more healthy red blood cells. Mahi is also full of selenium which protects against harmful cells from entering the body and potassium for a healthy heart and disease prevention. Indeed, Mahi is a super fish!

Which is healthier, salmon or mahi-mahi? ›

Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are better than leaner, white fish, such as mahi mahi or flounder, as fatty fish contain essential omega-3 fatty acids and fat-soluble nutrients the body can absorb, explains Gomer.

Should I soak mahi-mahi in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

How to not overcook mahi mahi? ›

Using a Food Thermometer to Test for Doneness

This is called "Carry Over Cooking". Therefore, be sure to account for this and remove the fish from the heat when the temperature is slightly below 145°F, so that it's internal temperature will rise to the perfect level after resting away from the heat for a few minutes.

Is mahi mahi a clean fish? ›

When it comes to the cleanliness of seafood, mahi mahi is considered a safe and clean fish to eat. It is known for its low mercury levels, making it a healthier choice compared to certain other types of fish.

Why is my mahi-mahi chewy? ›

Fish that seems tough when you bite into it is probably overcooked. As it moves from done to "overdone," the flesh continues to firm then shrinks, pushing out moisture, which evaporates and leaves the fish dry and chewy. Fresh fish needs little embellishment, for its flavor is as fragile as its flesh.

Is mahi-mahi better than tilapia? ›

Why is Mahi-mahi (raw) better than Tilapia (raw)? Significantly more vitamin A (IU) per 100g.

Why is mahi-mahi so popular? ›

Mahimahi are highly sought for sport fishing and commercial purposes. They are pelagic fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide including the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Mahi are considered a good eating fish, often served in restaurants.

Why is mahi mahi on the avoid list? ›

Mahi mahi rated Avoid by Seafood Watch is not environmentally sustainable because bycatch impacts are significant and management is ineffective. Some fisheries target at-risk or overfished tuna species, and mahi mahi are caught alongside them.

Is Mahi an expensive fish? ›

Mahi is Difficult to Find and Expensive - Congressional Seafood.

Is mahi mahi supposed to be pink when cooked? ›

Mahi mahi, also called a “dolphinfish” or a dorado, is a surface-dwelling, strong swimming fish with beautiful green and gold coloring. These fish typically live for four to five years and grow to a maximum size of about 30 pounds. The raw flesh is pale pink and lean. After it's cooked, it turns white and flaky.

Can mahi be cooked rare? ›

Cook your Mahi Mahi medium rare or no more than medium.

Is undercooked mahi mahi safe? ›

It Can Be Risky

Seafood that has not been cooked correctly may contain bacteria, viruses, toxins, or parasites that can cause food poisoning or other food-borne illnesses such as typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and certain types of worms.

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