This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos are a light and fresh summertime supper. Flaky fish, a perfect blend of spices and all your favorite toppings make these fish tacos a family favorite!
If you were to ask me what my favorite food of all time is, I would tell you that it’s fish tacos. Honestly, I love everything about them. There are so many possibilities, flavors, and textures when it comes to fish tacos. I probably have enough fish taco recipes that I could have a different one every day of the summer. And believe me, I wouldn’t complain! These Mahi Mahi tacos are made with the freshest ingredients and powerful flavors. My family loves them, especially because they can dress up their tacos any way they like. I love grilling the fish on an outdoor grill, then serving our tacos alongside glasses of icy cold lemonade out on the patio. This really is the perfect summertime supper.
The Best Tacos Start with the Best Fish
Mahi Mahi is a mild, flaky white fish that has a slightly more firm texture than other white fish such as cod or halibut. Mahi Mahi is the most widely-known name for this fish, but it is also known as dorado or dolphinfish. I like using Mahi Mahi for grilled fish tacos because of its firmness. It holds together nicely on the grill and doesn’t fall apart as easily as other fish.
Picking the Right Filets
- The biggest trick to perfect fish tacos is fresh fish! Get the freshest you possibly can. Fish markets have delicious options or even the fish counter in your grocery store.
- If you can’t find fresh fish, go frozen! I took a fish-cooking class once and learned that the “fresh” fish sitting out in the displays at the grocery store are anything but fresh. Especially if you live inland at all, the “fresh” fillets in the display case were most likely frozen before being put in the case. Ask the people in your meat department if they had been previously frozen. If they have, ask for filets that are STILL frozen and then go home and keep them frozen until you are ready to thaw them.
- You can also find frozen filets at Costco or Sam’s Club that are really tasty! Find them in the freezer section. Generally they’re frozen individually so they stay nice and fresh.
Tips for Preparing Mahi Mahi
- I almost always go the grilling route when preparing the fish for fish tacos. The fish takes on a smoky flavor that is just mouthwatering!
- When it is too cold to grill outside, I use a griddle on my stovetop or just broil in the oven. Just make sure to use a good cooking spray or cover your pan in foil to avoid sticking.
- Fish seasoning is really easy to make your own. Try adding jalapeno, different garlic powders, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, or onion powder to your fish filets. Using these spices instead of salt cuts down on sodium and gives the fish bright, vibrant flavors.
Other Ingredients in Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
- The beauty of fish tacos is how versatile they are. We set up a long buffet of toppings so everyone can dress their dish up any way they like. We love a shredded cabbage slaw, salsa, sour cream, grilled corn, cilantro, avocado, onion, feta cheese, hot sauce, and pico de gallo.
- Add mango salsa, wedges of sliced mangoes, or coleslaw to your tacos.
- Serve with corn tortillas, or flour tortillas. If you prefer a crunchy shell, by all means, pile your ingredients into a hard corn taco shell.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Want to go the more homemade route with salsa recipes? Try our incredible homemade salsa or this unique and flavorful fresh corn salsa on top. Whip up a big batch of our fresh homemade guacamole for this meal too!
More Fish Taco Recipes
Feeling fish tacos more than one night this week? Try some of these favorite recipes:
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos
Equipment
- Outdoor Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
- 1 pound mahi mahi
- Kosher salt to taste
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 large lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- pinch oregano
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- 8 flour tortillas fajita size work best
Garnish options:
- Shredded cabbage
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Sliced green onion
- Chopped cilantro leaves
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Salsa
- Cotija or feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place fish in a medium size dish and sprinkle with Kosher salt.
- Whisk together the oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, jalapeno, garlic, oregano and cilantro and pour over the fish. Let marinate for about 20 minutes.
- Remove the fish from the marinade place onto a hot grill (flesh side down if flesh is still on). Grill the fish for 7-8 minutes on the first side (or until fish is just opaque) and then flip for 30 seconds and remove.
- Let rest for 5 minutes then flake the fish with a fork.
- Place the tortillas on the grill and grill for a few seconds.
- Place flaked fish on grilled warm tortillas.
- Garnish with any or all of the garnishes and serve immediately.
I didn’t grow up eating fish, but have started recently trying it more & found that I love it!! We fired up the grill & tried these tacos & man, they were incredible! Love the taste of mahi mahi!!
These are my new favorite taco Tuesday item!! Love fish tacos & they have lots of flavor! Grilling is our favorite thing to do all spring & summer.
These were perfect for dinner and came out great! Love Mahi Mahi!
Hands down, the BEST fish taco recipe! We go to the Florida Keys several times a year and all I eat while down there is fish tacos! This was the recipe I needed to recreate them at home! Thanks!
Give it a try!!
We love fish tacos too! I will definitely try these. Have you tried Tyler Florence's recipe for fish tacos. What makes these special is the chipotle mayo sauce. Here is the link if you want to add another fish taco recipe to your repertoire.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-fish-tacos-recipe/index.html