The best mahi mahi tacos are blackened fish nestled between tortillas and topped with fresh mango habanero salsa, shredded cabbage, and jalapeños. Enjoy them during your next Taco Tuesday or for a quick, casual weeknight dinner ready in less than 20 minutes.
For more Mexican-inspired recipes, try our Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Tacos and Carne Asada Nachos.
Mahi mahi fish tacos have tender, flaky mahi mahi with a delicious brown crust. It’s a tasty base for a mouthwatering taco. Mahi mahi is meaty, mild-flavored, slightly sweet fish that tastes great baked, grilled, or fried. Blackened mahi mahi has a distinct taste that is out of this world thanks to the mixture of spices that create the crust and truly elevate the flavor of the fish!
Reasons This Mahi Mahi Tacos Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy! With minimal prep time, mahi mahi fish tacos are a simple solution for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Customizable! Top your tacos with whatever combination of toppings you’d like. We have sweet, spicy, and saucy suggestions to personalize the tacos for your taste buds.
- Nutritious Meal! Skip ground beef and go for a lean protein instead. Mahi mahi is rich in potassium and omega-3 fatty acids.
What does blackened mean for fish?
Blackening is a cooking technique that involves highly seasoned protein cooked in a hot pan (typically a cast iron skillet). Blackened fish is fish coated with spices and cooked on high heat. The fish takes on a dark brown, almost black color, hence the term “blackened”.
The blackened crust of herbs and spices provides rich flavor and a crispy texture.
Is blackened fish healthy?
Yes. Mahi Mahi is a lean protein that is low in calories and fat but high in vitamins. Blackened mahi mahi has a crisp texture without frying. Blackened fish requires just a fraction of the oil you would use for fried fish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mahi Mahi Filets: They should be 6 ounces each and about 1″ thick. If using frozen fish, be sure to completely defrost and dry before seasoning.
- Cooking Oil: Avocado oil works best.
- Butter: You need real butter for the best results. Use salted or unsalted
Blackening Season
The spice mixture for blackened mahi mahi tacos consists of the following:
- Crushed Black Pepper
- Sea Salt or to taste
- Italian Seasoning
- Chili Powder
- Red Crushed Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
Toppings
- Mango Habanero Salsa: A drool-worthy mixture of sweet, fresh mango and spicy habanero.
- Avocado Crema: This smooth, creamy sauce includes cilantro, fresh lime juice, and jalapeno.
- Shredded Cabbage: For something fresh and crunchy.
- Sliced Jalapeños: For a kick of heat
- Corn or Flour Tortillas: Use corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas to keep this recipe gluten-free.
How to Make Mahi Mahi Tacos
SEASON FISH. Pat dry the mahi mahi filets with a clean paper towel and drizzle cooking oil onto the fillets. Season both sides generously with the blackening seasoning.
BLACKEN FISH. Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add butter and oil. When the oil is hot, add the mahi mahi fillets. Cook, undisturbed, for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown on one side. Then, carefully flip the fish over and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, or until opaque and completely cooked through.
ASSEMBLE MAHI MAHI FISH TACOS. Then place the cooked fish in the warmed tortilla and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
How to Make Mango Salsa
Dice the mango, habanero, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and add salt to taste. Gently stir and rest for 30 minutes before serving. Add more lime juice for zest and more salt to intensify the flavor.
Variations + Substitutions
- Fish: Wondering what fish is best for fish tacos? A mild-tasting white fish is best. Try cod, snapper, halibut, or tilapia as substitutes. Just be mindful that cooking times will vary.
- Additional Toppings: Need more fish taco topping ideas? Add your favorite hot sauce, guacamole, lime wedges, pico de gallo, or pineapple salsa.
Tips To Nail the Recipe
- Preheat the pan before adding the butter and oil in order to prevent the pan from smoking.
- Thinner filets will cook faster while thicker filets will need more time.
- Cook fish skin-side down first. Use fresh or frozen fillets. Make sure frozen fillets are thawed before cooking
- Warm the tortillas on the stove or grill for the best taste and texture.
- Keep the tortillas warm by wrapping them up in a clean kitchen towel or aluminum foil.
FAQs
What is usually served with mahi mahi fish tacos?
Enjoy fish tacos with Cilantro-Lime Coconut Rice, black beans, and guacamole. You can also serve them with sweet potato fries or cauliflower tots for a tasty, healthy side dish.
Is it better to blacken fish in butter or oil?
You can use butter, oil, or both to blacken fish. For this recipe, we use butter and oil because they both add to the flavor and color. However, if you want to save calories, opt for oil over butter.
How can you tell when mahi mahi is done?
Fish is cooked when it is flaky and no longer translucent. Use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. Once it reaches 145°F, the fish is cooked.
I Hope You Enjoy This Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos Recipe!
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More Seafood Recipes To Try!
- Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Grilled Lemon-Stuffed Branzino
- Pesto-Crusted Broiled Sea Bass Recipe
- Creamy Lobster Pasta
- Jerk Salmon Bowl with Mango Salsas
- Air Fryer Lobster Tail with Lemon Garlic Butter
Best Mahi Mahi Tacos
Ingredients
- 3 Mahi Mahi Filets 6 ounces each, about 1" thick
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
Blackening Season
- 1 tsp Crushed Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Sea Salt or to taste
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1½ tsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Red Crushed Pepper
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
Toppings
- Mango Habanero Salsa
- Avocado Crema
- Shredded Cabbage
- Sliced Jalapeños
- Corn or Flour Tortillas
Mango Habanero Salsa
Instructions
- Pat dry the mahi mahi filets with a clean paper towel and drizzle cooking oil onto the fillets. Season both sides generously with the blackening seasoning.
- Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add butter and oil. When the oil is hot, add the mahi mahi fillets. Cook, undisturbed, for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown on one side. Then, carefully flip the fish over and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, or until opaque and completely cooked through.
- Place the cooked fish in the warmed tortilla and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!