Cooking fish can be very delicate. You need to figure out what kind of fish you will be cooking so that you can figure out how to prepare it. Almost every kind of fish is perfect for grilling, pan-frying, and steaming.
However, if you are looking for a really healthy fish to grill, then mahi-mahi is the most suitable one for you. This particular fish starts off with a shade of pink, but once it turns glistening white, then it means that it is perfectly cooked.
Grilling mahi-mahi with the skin on along with some salsa on the side is one of the best ways to have it. If you want to find out how to grill Mahi Mahi, then just keep on reading.
How To Grill Mahi Mahi With Skin Perfectly
Buying Mahi Mahi
Before we get on to grilling, it is very important for you to figure out how to buy the best one in the market. Although you can get this particular fish in the frozen section, I would recommend getting it fresh especially if you are going to grill it right away. Nothing beats using fresh fish so here is how you can figure out if it is fresh or not.
Mahi-mahi that has been freshly filleted should not smell fishy at all. They should have a neutral scent and they also look moist.
Fresh mahi-mahi has pinkish-red dots and lines to it. Even the frozen ones should have the same appearance. If it has a dull color and the lines are dark brown instead of pinkish-red, then that could indicate that it is old and might go bad right away.
As for the skin, the silver to dark gray spots color must look shiny and moist.
Be sure to buy fish when you need it so that they do not have to spend days in your freezer.
There are some that are long but you can always cut the fillets out to portion sizes. It will be easier for you to cook them in the grill that way.
What You Will Need
- Mahi-mahi fillet with skin on
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Other spices like chili powder or cumin (optional)
Mango Avocado Salsa (optional)
- Ripe mango, cubed
- Ripe avocado, thinly sliced
- Chopped onion
- Chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoon lime juice
- Lime wedges
What You Need To Do
Step 1 – Prepare The Mahi-Mahi
Take your mahi-mahi and pat it down with a paper towel. If your mahi-mahi is in the freezer, take it out at least an hour before you have to cook it. Do not use the microwave when thawing the fish. 5-10 minutes of leaving it to room temperature would make it perfect for marinading.
Note: Some people prefer putting their fish in a foil to keep it moist, but this is ideal if it does not have the skin on.
Step 2 – Prepare The Rub
Get a small bowl and mix the salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Get your fish and drizzle a small amount of olive oil all over it and make sure that all of the sides of the fish is coated. Add all the dry seasoning on the top and bottom of the mahi-mahi.
Note: You can let your fish marinade like this for about 30 minutes if you have time. However, if you are in a rush, you can always start grilling right away.
Step 3 – Prepare The Grill
Heat your grill up to medium to high for at least 10 minutes. Make sure that you do not set your grill to a very high temperature. You will be cooking a lean and delicate fish so if you do, your fish might end up getting burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.
Note: Make sure that your grill grates are clean before grilling the fish so that any excess from your previous grilling session would not mix into the fish. It is also best to oil the grates just a bit to prevent the fish from sticking but that is optional.
Step 4 – Time To Grill
Once it is ready, it is now time to get the fish and start grilling. Place your mahi-mahi skin side down then you can now reduce the heat of the grill to medium.
For about 5-7 minutes, carefully flip the fish 180 degrees and cook it at the same time you cooked the other side. If your fish is two-inch thick, let it cook for 8 minutes each side.
Note: I always recommend grilling the fish skin side down since the skin is way denser than the flesh of the fish. If you have a lid on your grill, you do not even need to flip the fish on the flesh side for too long because the hot air circulating inside the grill will help cook the flesh.
Step 5 – Mix Your Salsa
If you decide to make salsa to go with your fish, it is best to mix it all up while you are waiting for your mahi-mahi to finish cooking. Set it aside once it is done.
Step 6 – Serve Your Mahi-mahi
Once your fish is white and flakey, then that is a sign that it is now cooked. You can always use a thermometer if you are uncertain of its temperature within.
However, it is only ideal if you are cooking a thick fillet of fish. Get your mahi-mahi off the grill and serve it with the salsa. Always make sure to wait for about 5 minutes before you eat it so that the juices will stay inside the fish.
This is how easy you can grill mahi-mahi perfectly. You do not even need a lot of ingredients for it. This is absolutely something that you have to try at home.
You can even play around and try different seasonings and salsa every single time. If you cannot find mahi-mahi, tilapia and catfish are a good substitute for it. It is a fresh, easy, and healthy dish that your family and friends would totally love.
I would love to see how your mahi-mahi turned out so don’t be shy and leave a comment below.
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