How to Cook Mahi Mahi on the Stove
Mahi-mahi, also called dolphinfish, is a fairly oily fish with a firm and meaty texture. You can use several techniques to cook it on a stove, oven or on the grill. When using the stove, you can pan-grill or sauteed mahi-mahi fillets or steaks. Pan-grilling is an ideal cooking method for fish that has its skin but also for fish steaks and fillets. You use high heat with no fat or liquid and thus it is most suitable for oily fish. Sauteing is done using butter or oil that is in contact with one side of a breaded fish throughout the cooking. Sauteing is ideal for fillets that tend to dry when roasted or broiled.
A cooked piece of mahi-mahi fish on a plate of quinoa. (Image: Ju-Lee/iStock/Getty Images)Pan-Grilled Mahi-mahi
Step 1
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for three minutes.
Step 2
Brush mahi-mahi fillets or steaks with olive or vegetable oil. Place the brushed fish in the skillet and cook for four to five minutes.
Step 3
Sprinkle the fish fillet with salt and lemon pepper to taste. Turn the fish and cook for five minutes or more until fish is done. Serve on a bed of rice with a white wine sauce or use for fish tacos or a salad.
Sauteed Mahi-mahi
Step 1
Mix in a bowl 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Wash and pat dry mahi-mahi fillets that are less than 1/2-inch thick and coat with the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour.
Step 2
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for three to four minutes. Heat 4 tbsp butter, olive oil or a combination of each.
Step 3
Add the coated fillets into the skillets without overlapping. Increase heat to high and saute about three minutes or until the bottom of the fish is browned. Shake the pan from time to time throughout the sauteing.
Step 4
Turn the fillets and brown the other side for two to five minutes until fish is done. Garnish with minced fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve with baked potato, steamed vegetables or on a bed of rice.
Things You'll Need
Mahi-mahi fillets
Olive oil or butter
Salt
Lemon pepper
Black pepper
Flour
Fresh parsley
Tip
To avoid overcooking your fish, insert instant-read thermometer to the thickest part of the fish. All fish is cooked at 137 degrees Fahrenheit. However cooking fish to 135 F provides more moisture and translucence, according to the “Joy of Cooking”.
