Ingredients
3 tbsp. butter, divided
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 (4-oz.) mahi-mahi fillets
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. asparagus
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 lemon, sliced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Preparation
Step 1In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil. Add mahi-mahi and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Step 2To skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add asparagus and cook until tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a plate.Step 3To skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, 1 minute, then stir in lemon, zest, juice, and parsley. Remove from heat, then return mahi-mahi and asparagus to skillet and spoon over sauce. Step 4Garnish with more parsley before serving.
How do I buy mahi mahi? Mahi Mahi is often sold skinless, in pre-portioned fillets or steaks. The flesh should be firm and pinkish-beige in color. Any darker spots will taste a bit stronger and may be trimmed away. And if your mahi mahi happens to still be wearing its gorgeous gold and yellow skin, you’ll definitely want to remove that before cooking. What if I can’t find it? If you can’t find mahi mahi but still want to make this recipe, you can substitute another firm white fish, such as cod, striped bass, or halibut. Though to be honest, if you’re buying halibut, we’d highly recommend our easy grilled halibut with mango salsa—it’s a winner. Is it hard to cook? Not at all. This easy recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. Just add the fish to the pan, cook it for a few minutes per side, and then make a super simple garlicky lemon butter sauce in the same pan. We like to cook up a little asparagus too, but it’s not necessary. What if my fish sticks in the pan? Don’t panic. Fish can occasionally stick when you’re cooking it, but there are a few sure-fire tricks to make sure that doesn’t happen. First, pat your fish dry on both sides before you put it in the pan. Second, make sure the pan is really hot before you add the fish. You don’t want it to be smoking, but it should definitely sizzle when the fish hits the pan. Finally, let the fish cook for at least 3 minutes before you try to flip it. It will release from the pan when it’s ready, so if it’s sticking, give it another minute and then try again. What should I serve with my fish? Anything you want. We love pairing it with some extra lemon wedges, a savory roasted green (such as asparagus or string beans) and some ultra creamy mashed potatoes.
Need more convincing? We didn’t think so. Read on for more top tips on making the mahi mahi of your dreams . . . and let us know what you think in the comments below. Looking for more delicious fish recipes? Check out more of our favorite seafood recipes here. This recipe was updated on May 15, 2022, to include more information.
