Simple Baked Mahi Mahi Recipe

Mahi is Hawaiian for "strong." This delicious fish boasts a mild flavor with a pleasant, meaty texture that is undeniably delicious when baked.

Whether you've prepared it before or have yet to give it a try in your own kitchen, recipe developer Kit Hondrum of Kit's Kitchen is here to guide you through the steps to preparing the ultimate mahi mahi dish you'll want to make time and time again. And the best part about it is it's so simple to prepare even when you're having a busy week! The food blogger opts to pair fillets of the Hawaiian fish with an aromatic herbed garlic butter in this recipe, which seasons the fish beautifully as it cooks. "Mahi mahi is a delicate and flavorful fish, perfect for this simple recipe," says Hondrum. "This recipe's simple flavors allow the fish to shine," and we are all about that.

Hondrum likes to serve this dish with a fresh green salad and roasted fingerling potatoes, but you could also pair the finished fish with rice or crusty bread. Anything that allows you to soak up any extra luscious butter sauce is sure to be a wonderful accompaniment! If that sounds absolutely appetizing to you, it's time to get all the details on how to whip up this simple baked mahi mahi.

To make this simple baked mahi mahi, your ingredients list won't be too long. As a matter of fact, besides the fish, you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry, fridge, and fresh herb garden — and cutting back on grocery shopping time is always welcomed.

As far as the ingredients go, you will need is mahi mahi fillets — about 5 ounces apiece — which you'll season with salted butter that's infused with minced garlic, parsley and chives (which should be chopped), salt, and pepper. A lemon, sliced into two slices and four wedges, will serve as both an aesthetically pleasing garnish and extra seasoning for the fish.

If for whatever reason you can't find mahi mahi, do not fret, because Hondrum has a suggestion. "Any white fish of similar thickness, like cod for example, will work in this recipe," she explains.

Once you have all of your ingredients gathered on the kitchen counter, it's time to get started.

To make this simple baked mahi mahi dish, begin by preheating the oven to 400 F. While the oven heats up, you'll tend to your fish. Pat the mahi mahi fillets dry, and then grab a pair of tweezers, because it's time to debone. (Keep in mind that if you purchase boneless mahi mahi, you can save some time and skip this step.)

This might seem a bit technical, but never fear. "It's not as hard as it sounds, really," Hondrum assures. "You can see and feel them sticking out of the flesh."

When you think you've removed all of the little bones, double check by running a fingertip over the flesh. You should feel any remaining bones protruding, and it will be easy to locate and remove them. "You can also leave them in and just eat around them," says Hondrum. "But be careful doing that if serving to guests!"

Once the mahi mai is deboned, move on to the next step. It's time to make the luscious herbed butter you'll bake the fish in.

Now that the mahi mahi is all prepped, it's time to make the herbed butter. And lucky for you, nothing could be simpler.

Start by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Once it's melted, add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, salt, and pepper to it. Stir well to ensure the salt dissolves into the mixture and that all of the seasonings are well incorporated. This will ensure that you get even seasoning when you add the butter to the fish.

Now that the fish and butter mixture are prepared, it's time to bake your mahi mahi — and the prep work didn't take long at all! First, grease a baking dish, and then lay the mahi mahi fillets in it. Spoon half of the butter mixture over the top, reserving the rest for serving. Lay a fresh lemon slice on each fillet, then slip the dish into the oven, and bake the fish for 12 to 16 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. 

"Mine were about ¾-inch [thick] and took 12 minutes," says Hondrum. When they're nice and flaky, they're done!

Whether you're preparing this meal for your family, significant other, or guests, you'll want to place the fish on a pretty serving platter for the best kind of presentation. Even though we know this dish was so easy to pull together, your guests won't know that — and we won't spill the beans. (As a matter of fact, they'll think you spent a ton of time in the kitchen!)

Be sure to drizzle the fish with the remaining herb butter, and accompany the slices with lemon wedges, so each guest can squeeze a bit more on if they desire. This is such a light, delicious meal to prepare on a summer evening, paired with your favorite vegetables, rice, or a freshly tossed green salad.