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Easy Mahi Mahi with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

This mahi mahi recipe combines perfectly cooked fish with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce. It's quick to make, needs simple ingredients, and gives you restaurant-quality results at home. Perfect for both special occasions and weeknight dinners.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:10:02 GMT
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Two pieces of pan-seared fish are served with lemon slices and chopped parsley in a flavorful sauce. Pin it
Two pieces of pan-seared fish are served with lemon slices and chopped parsley in a flavorful sauce. | recipesbyclare.com

This mouthwatering mahi mahi recipe has become my family's favorite weeknight dinner. The delicate fish turns out perfectly flaky every time, and the lemon garlic sauce is absolutely divine. I love how quickly it comes together, making it perfect for busy evenings when I want something special but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Why I Love Cooking with Mahi Mahi

The beauty of mahi mahi lies in its versatility and mild flavor that my whole family enjoys. I always look for sustainably caught fish at my local market, which makes me feel good about serving it to my loved ones. The buttery lemon garlic sauce in this recipe transforms this simple fish into something truly restaurant worthy.

What You'll Need from Your Kitchen

  • 4 beautiful mahi mahi fillets (6 oz each, make sure to pat them dry)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to your taste)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper (regular pepper works too)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking the fish)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for our amazing sauce)
  • 4 garlic cloves (finely minced)
  • 1 fresh lemon (we'll use both juice and slices)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon capers (they add such a lovely tang)
Two pieces of cooked salmon are garnished with herbs and served with lemon slices in a flavorful broth. Pin it
Two pieces of cooked salmon are garnished with herbs and served with lemon slices in a flavorful broth. | recipesbyclare.com

Let's Cook Together

Get Your Fish Ready
First things first, pat those fillets dry and season them generously on both sides with salt and lemon pepper.
Prep Your Ingredients
Slice one lemon thinly and squeeze another for juice. Mince your garlic and chop that fresh parsley. Having everything ready makes cooking so much smoother.
Cook the Fish
Get your skillet nice and hot with olive oil. Cook those fillets until golden brown, about 4 minutes on the first side and 2-4 on the second. They should reach 137°F inside.
Create Your Sauce
In the same pan, melt your butter and add lemon juice, slices, and garlic. Let it get slightly golden and fragrant. Toss in parsley and capers if using.
Bring It All Together
Pour that gorgeous sauce over your fish and serve it up while its hot.

What to Serve on the Side

I love serving this fish with fluffy mashed potatoes that soak up all that wonderful sauce. Sometimes I'll make wild rice or steam some fresh asparagus instead. When I'm feeling fancy, I'll grab some crusty bread from my local bakery to mop up every last drop of the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I know when mahi mahi is fully cooked?

Mahi mahi is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 137°F. The flesh should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.

→ Can I use frozen mahi mahi fillets?

Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely in the fridge overnight. Pat them dry thoroughly before cooking to ensure good browning.

→ What sides go well with this dish?

Rice, roasted vegetables, or steamed asparagus work great. The lemon garlic sauce also tastes wonderful drizzled over the sides.

→ Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Fish is best served fresh off the pan. However, you can prep the ingredients ahead and have them ready to cook when needed.

→ What can I substitute for capers?

You can skip capers entirely or replace them with chopped green olives. Some people also like to add small pickled onions for a similar tangy bite.

Lemon Garlic Mahi Mahi

A quick and tasty mahi mahi recipe featuring a rich lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, ready in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 fillets)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 4 mahi mahi fillets (4-6 ounces each).
02 Salt to taste.
03 Lemon pepper to taste.
04 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 juiced).
05 5 cloves garlic, minced.
06 1 tablespoon olive oil.
07 4 tablespoons salted butter.
08 2 tablespoons capers, drained (optional).
09 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced.

Instructions

Step 01

Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels.

Step 02

Season both sides with salt and lemon pepper.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 04

Cook fish for 4 minutes on the first side until golden brown.

Step 05

Flip and cook 2-4 minutes more until internal temp reaches 137°F.

Step 06

Remove fish to serving plate.

Step 07

In the same skillet, melt butter with lemon juice and slices.

Step 08

Add garlic, cook on low for 1 minute until light golden.

Step 09

Stir in parsley and capers.

Step 10

Pour sauce over fish and serve hot.

Notes

  1. Fish is done when it flakes easily.
  2. Great for low-carb diets.
  3. High in protein.
  4. Can skip capers if desired.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Paper towels.
  • Meat thermometer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish.
  • Dairy (butter).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 256
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 21 g