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Easy Oven-Baked Mahi

Print Recipe
Prep Time 6 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 –3 mahi mahi fillets 5–6 oz each
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Lemon slices for baking and serving
  • Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)

Method
 

Preheat the oven
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
Dry the fish
  1. Pat the mahi fillets very dry with paper towels. This helps the surface brown slightly and prevents steaming.
Season the fillets
  1. Place mahi on the baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper.
Mix the lemon-garlic topping
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried oregano (or thyme).
Brush generously
  1. Spoon or brush the mixture over the fillets. Place a few lemon slices directly on top if you like a more pronounced citrus flavor.
Bake
  1. Bake for 10–14 minutes, depending on thickness.
  2. Thin fillets: 10 minutes
  3. Thick fillets: closer to 14 minutes
  4. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and turns opaque throughout.
Serve
  1. Transfer to plates, spoon over any juices from the pan, and finish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t overcook mahi: It dries out quickly. Pull it as soon as it flakes easily; the residual heat will finish it.
Thickness matters: Larger fillets can take up to 14 minutes, but many supermarket mahi fillets are relatively thin.
If your fillets are uneven: Fold the thinner end under itself so the fish bakes more evenly.
Butter + olive oil: This combo keeps the fish moist while adding flavor and preventing burning.
Fresh or frozen: Frozen mahi works perfectly but must be fully thawed and dried well before seasoning.