Blackened Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salad 🌶️🐟🥑 Bold, Zesty, and Perfectly Fresh
This dish pairs spicy, smoky blackened mahi mahi with a cool and refreshing avocado salad.
The contrast of heat and freshness makes it a vibrant, satisfying seafood recipe that’s perfect for summer dinners or light entertaining.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the fish
- 4 mahi mahi fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp blackened seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
- Salt, to taste
For the avocado salad
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Step 1: Prep the fish
Pat mahi mahi fillets dry. Rub with olive oil, then coat both sides with blackened seasoning and a light sprinkle of salt.
Step 2: Cook the fish
Heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat. Sear fish 3–4 minutes per side, until a dark crust forms and fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Make the avocado salad
In a medium bowl, combine avocado, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
Step 4: Serve
Plate fish with a generous scoop of avocado salad on the side (or on top). Serve with lime wedges for extra brightness.
Flavor Variations
- Add diced mango or pineapple to the salad for a tropical touch
- Swap cilantro for fresh parsley or basil if preferred
- Drizzle with a jalapeño-lime crema for extra heat and creaminess
- Serve over rice, quinoa, or greens to make it a complete meal
Pro Tips
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the best blackened crust
- Don’t move the fish while searing — let the crust form before flipping
- Make the avocado salad just before serving to keep it fresh
- Choose avocados that are ripe but still firm for the best texture
Final Thoughts
Blackened Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salad is bold, zesty, and refreshing — a perfect balance of smoky spice and cool creaminess. It’s a simple yet impressive dish that brings coastal flavors to your table.
Season it. Sear it. Cool it with avocado bliss. 🌶️🐟🥑
🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes
From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.
- 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
- 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
- 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
- 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
- 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
- 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
- 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
- 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
- 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
- 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
- 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
- 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.