Check out our top Mahi recipes, including baked, fried, seared, and roasted. These recipes are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be prepared easily. Learn how to prepare easy fish dinner recipes. From baking mahi fillets with lemon and herbs to pan-searing them with a flavorful sauce, experiment with different cooking techniques and seasonings to discover your favorite way to prepare this delicious fish.

How to Store Fresh Fish
- Refrigeration: When you bring the fish home, store it in the refrigerator. Place the fish in a shallow dish or on a plate, cover it loosely with plastic wrap, and place it in the coldest part of the fridge, the bottom shelf in the back.
- Use Ice Packs: Place the fish in a cooler with ice to keep it cold for traveling home from fishing or shopping.
- Freezing: If you're not planning to use the fish within a day, freeze it. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag and label the package with the date. Use it within a month or two. Use a vacuum sealer for best results.

TOP TIP: if you bring home a fresh dolphin, eat it within a day for the best results. You can follow one of our easy fish recipes.
Otherwise, pat it dry and freeze it. I like to put each fillet in a separate bag so I can pull out as much as I need.
Defrosting Mahi
Transfer the fish from the freezer to the refrigerator. Place the fish in a shallow dish or on a plate. Allow enough time for it to thaw slowly. Depending on the thickness of the fish, it can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours.
You can defrost smaller pieces of fish in cold water. Unwrap the fish and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. This method takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
As per the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the best way for thawing frozen fish is to unwrap it from its original packaging and place it in the refrigerator overnight (ensuring the temperature remains below 38 degrees F).
Where to Get Fresh Fish in Florida
For the freshest catch in Florida, skip the grocery chains and head to local markets and seafood restaurants. Places like Milam's Market in Miami offer a great selection of fish, always fresh. While Whole Foods Market sometimes has local fish, it's not guaranteed.
Most big grocery chains import fish from Central and South America, so if you're looking for locally sourced options, it's best to explore other avenues.
You can find a comprehensive listing of Florida Seafood Markets from the Florida Department of Agriculture for additional options in Florida.
Don't forget about seafood restaurants like The Fish House in Key Largo, which often have fish counters selling a variety of locally caught favorites such as yellowtail, mahi mahi, grouper, tripletail, yellowfin tuna, Key West pink shrimp, stone crabs, and spiny lobster.
How To Pick Fresh Mahi at the Market
When selecting fresh fish, look for clear, shiny eyes, glossy skin, and firm flesh. Steer clear of fish with dull eyes or strong odors; give it a sniff up close—it should have a clean, mild scent, not fishy or ammonia-like.
If you require the fish to be scaled and cleaned, don't hesitate to ask the fishmonger for assistance. They should be more than willing to help.

Our Top Easy Mahi Recipes
Check out our top Mahi recipes—baked, fried, seared, and roasted. Perfect for lunch or dinner, these easy fish recipes let you try different cooking techniques and flavors, from lemon-herb baked fillets to pan-seared mahi with a flavorful sauce.
Roasted Mahi Mahi with Old Bay Seasoning
Roasted mahi with Old Bay Seasoning is a classic dish that's simple to prepare and bursting with flavor.
This roasted yellowtail is seasoned with Old Bay, dotted with butter, and baked in a hot oven. Pair with Lemon Asparagus Rice for an easy weeknight meal.
Old Bay is a staple in every fish market in the USA. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Old Bay is a blend of spices including paprika, celery seed, and garlic. You can pick it up where you buy fish.
Pan Fried Mahi
Ready to take your dinner game to the next level? Pan-Fried Mahi is a delightful fried fish recipe. Turn Florida Keys mahi into an extraordinary meal by coating it in crunchy breadcrumbs and frying it until crispy. Serve with tartar sauce and sliced pickles for a perfect pairing.
Seared Mahi with Basil Butter
This recipe for Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with Basil Butter Sauce is a quick and easy fish recipe you'll enjoy! Mahi, also known as dorado, is seared on the stovetop until golden and paired with a lemon butter sauce and fresh basil. All it take is 15 minutes!
Mahi with Lemon Caper Cream Sauce
This mahi mahi with cream sauce recipe combines sweet flaky fish with a rich lemon caper sauce. Seared fillets are finished with butter, white wine, cream, and fresh lemon juice. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Pair with pasta, rice, or vegetables for a amazing meal.
Sheet Pan Mahi Mahi with Broccoli
Try this quick sheet pan fish and vegetables, topped with a tangy sour cream dill sauce. It’s easy, fresh, and perfect for busy weeknights. Healthy, full of flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes! Low carb, low calorie, and gluten free.
What Can I Use Instead of Mahi?
There are big and small fish, so use the timing in your recipe as a guide. The fish is cooked through when you see it flake when speared with a fork. If it feels tight, let it cook for another few minutes.
Cook what you catch; if you're at the fish market, the fresher, the better.
Our fish recipes are interchangeable with other Keys fish such as hogfish, tripletail, snapper, and grouper.
Just keep in mind that the thickness of the fish will vary. Mahi is thicker than yellowtail, and grouper is larger than mahi. You'll need a few additional minutes of cooking time for those.
All of these dishes showcase fresh, wild-caught Mahi from the Florida Keys. We're dedicated to supporting local fisheries and using locally sourced ingredients, as nothing compares to the taste of fresh seafood.

Mahi Mahi with sliced avocado and pico de gallo at Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill Restaurant and Bar in Key Largo
More Recipes From Cooking in The Keys
- Peel and Eat Florida Keys Pink Shrimp
- Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Old Bay
- Seared Tripletail with Garlic Butter Sauce
- Fresh Blackened Swordfish (Florida Keys)
- The Best Blackened Seafood Recipes
- Top Healthy Seafood Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Roast or bake mahi on a sheet pan at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork.
You can tell when mahi fillets are done by checking their texture and color. When cooked through, the fish will turn opaque and easily flake apart with a fork. The flesh should be firm yet moist. Additionally, ensure that the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145°F (63°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Mahi mahi has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a firm, lean texture. It’s less "fishy" than stronger fish like tuna but still has enough flavor to stand out. The flaky meat absorbs marinades and seasonings well, making it perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing.
No, mahi mahi is a lean fish with a low fat content. Unlike fattier fish like salmon, mahi has a firm, meaty texture without being oily.
Yes! Mahi mahi is a popular eating fish because of its mild taste, firm texture, and versatility. It works well in various cooking methods, including grilling,
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