Ingredients
For the Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened to room temp
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chives or parsley, freshly chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon juice from fresh lemon
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
For the Mahi Mahi
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 fillets mahi mahi, 1-inch thick, 4 oz each
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and position the rack in the middle to ensure even roasting.
- Prepare Lemon Garlic Mixture: In a small pan, combine the butter, minced garlic, chives or parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and grated lemon peel. Stir well to combine and set aside. This mixture can be made ahead of time.
- Dry and Season Fish: Thoroughly pat dry the mahi mahi fillets with paper towels to remove any excess moisture—this helps achieve a good sear. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly on both sides of each fillet and set aside.
- Sear Fish Fillets: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-proof pan over high heat until sizzling hot. Add the mahi mahi fillets to the pan carefully and cook without moving them for about 3 minutes until the bottom side is nicely browned.
- Flip and Roast: Flip the fillets over to the other side, turn off the stove burner, and immediately transfer the pan into the preheated oven. Roast for about 5 minutes or until the tops are golden and the fish is just cooked through. Avoid overcooking to keep the fish tender.
- Heat Lemon Garlic Sauce: One minute before the fish is done, place the small pan with the lemon garlic mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until melted and bubbly. Then turn off the heat.
- Serve: Remove the fish from the oven, pour the warm lemon garlic sauce over the fillets, including any pan juices. Garnish with extra lemon slices and serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Patting the fish dry is crucial to getting a nice sear and avoiding steaming.
- The lemon garlic butter sauce can be prepared ahead of time to save cooking time.
- Use an oven-proof skillet to easily transfer fish from stovetop to oven.
- Avoid overcooking the mahi mahi to maintain a tender and flaky texture.
- Fresh herbs like chives or parsley add a bright, fresh flavor to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
