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Home » Main Dishes » Baked Mahi Mahi with Blueberry Sauce

March 30, 2022 · Updated April 27, 2022

Baked Mahi Mahi with Blueberry Sauce

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A bowl of brown rice with a piece of baked mahi mahi and blueberry sauce.
A bowl of brown rice with a piece of baked mahi mahi and blueberry sauce.

 Are you looking for a quick and easy seafood recipe that is both healthy and delicious? Baked Mahi Mai with Blueberry Sauce is a lovely variation from the mango or pineapple salsa that is most common out here in recipe land. This is a light meal that is bright in color and especially impressive for guests. From start to finish you’ll have it on the table in less than 30 minutes. 

Three pieces of baked mahi mahi sits atop a bed of brown rice with blueberry sauce and lemon wedges.

Both the presentation and taste are what I love about this dish. Its flavor is complex but the recipe is effortless. Seafood recipes in general are usually quite simple. My Shrimp Scampi with Spinach and Tomatoes is definitely in that category and is one of my top blog recipes. You might want to check out my Pan-Seared Salmon with Creamy Mustard Sauce. It is probably my favorite salmon dish. 

Concerning a healthy meal, Mahi Mahi definitely fits the bill. The nutrition facts give every indication that this fish is a source of lean protein and low calories. It’s quality in every respect and a dish you will be proud to set on your table. 

The Hawaiian meaning of Mahi Mahi means “very strong.” It speaks to the size and strength of the fish itself which is interesting because baked Mahi Mahi is a white flaky fish with a very mild flavor, no strong fishy or oily taste. 

How to Make Baked Mahi Mahi with Blueberry Sauce

The Main Ingredients Needed

For the Blueberry Sauce:

  • Butter 
  • Shallots and Garlic – They add an interesting balance to the sugar and blueberries. Shallots are more delicate than onions and add a subtle taste of sweetness. 
    • You can add shallots as a substitute in any recipe that calls for onions.
  • Dry White Wine – I prefer a chardonnay, but any dry white will work. Just stay away from sweet or “table” wine. 
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice – gives this sauce a fresh clean finish. 
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Frozen Blueberries – you can use either one in this recipe but the rule of thumb is to use frozen berries when they will be cooked or baked in something. Use fresh with any other recipe.
  • Slurry made with water and cornstarch – this is what helps thicken the sauce.
     

For the Baked Mahi Mahi

  • 5 or 6 ounce Mahi Mahi Fillets – you can substitute any mild-flavored dense fish for Mahi Mahi. Halibut or sea bass (although both are more expensive fish), cod, rainbow trout, and salmon. All of these would be great with this blueberry sauce.
  • Melted butter
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon slices – the slices will bake on top of the Mahi Mahi. 
  • Thinly sliced or minced garlic. 
  • Sprigs of Thyme

A saucepan cooking shallots in butter. Bowls of lemon halves and minced garlic sit beside the pan.

How to Make the Blueberry Sauce

The blueberry sauce is ridiculously quick and simple. Serving this sauce over baked Mahi Mahi is what takes the fish to a whole new level. Not only is it amazing on Mahi Mahi, but the ideas are endless for what you can serve this blueberry sauce with. For instance, any white fish, it’s amazing with salmon, roasted chicken, pork chops, or pork loin. 

Sauté Shallots and Garlic. You’ll need a medium-sized saucepan. Heat it over medium heat with butter and add sliced shallots until they are tender and browned. It doesn’t take long, maybe two minutes. Then you add minced garlic and sauté for no longer than one minute. You don’t want the garlic to burn and become bitter. 

Add Dry White Wine and Fresh Lemon Juice. Cook down the wine until it is evaporated to at least half then squeeze the lemon juice into the saucepan. 

  • Why cook off the alcohol? The alcohol in wine doesn’t actually add flavor to the dish as much as it brings out the flavors of the other ingredients. But it is necessary that the alcohol is burned off, otherwise, it will add a harsh, slightly boozy taste.
  • After adding wine to any sauce, you should reduce the liquid to at least half before continuing. This allows the flavors to concentrate leaving a delicious sauce. For this Blueberry Sauce, I cooked the wine until it was almost completely evaporated.

Add Sugar, Blueberries, and the Slurry. After you add the sugar, make sure you cook and stir continually until it is completely dissolved. Then add the frozen blueberries and stir frequently. The blueberries will release their juices along with the sugar. Cook over medium heat until there is a low boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer. 

Make a slurry out of water and cornstarch (2 teaspoons each of cornstarch and water) and gently stir it into the blueberries. Cook until you have the desired thickness. 

A sauce pan of sauteed shallots with a lemon being squeezed into it.

How To Prepare the Mahi Mahi

Rinse and Dry the Fillets. Quickly rinse the thawed Mahi Mahi under cold water and dry each piece with paper towels. 

  • How to thaw fish – Do’s and Don’ts. 
    • In the Refrigerator – Remove the fish from its original vacuum package and place it in a ziplock bag on a plate. Refrigerate it overnight until thawed.
    • In A Bowl of Cold Water – Do the same as above except instead of putting it in the fridge, submerge it into a bowl of cold water. You may need to use a heavy plate to keep it submerged until thawed.
    • Never thaw fish in the microwave.
    • Never thaw fish on the countertop at room temperature.
  • Can you cook Mahi Mahi straight from the freezer? Yes. Remove from the pre-packaging, rinse and dry with paper towels. Continue normally with the recipe but add five or ten extra minutes to the baking time. 

Place the fillets on parchment paper, in a shallow baking dish. Brush both sides of the Mahi Mahi with olive oil and simply season with salt and pepper. 

Make a lemon butter sauce. Combine melted butter, lemon juice, and sliced (or minced) garlic and brush this on both sides of the fillets. Add slices of lemon and several sprigs of thyme on top of the fish.

A casserole dish with uncooked mahi mahi and slices of lemon and fresh sprigs of thyme sit on the fish.

How to Oven Bake Mahi Mahi 

Mahi Mahi is delicious no matter if it’s pan-fried, grilled, broil or make in the air fryer. For this recipe though, I chose to bake it in the oven so all of the lemon butter, garlic, and thyme have an extended opportunity to flavor the dish. 

A roasting pan of baked mahi mahi. Lemon slices and thyme sprigs sit on top of the fish.

Bake it in a 425°F preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.

  • How do you know when Mahi Mahi is done? Remove the fish when the internal temperature reaches 137°F. An instant-read digital kitchen thermometer is the best way to determine that it is done. 
  • Mahi Mahi cooks pretty quickly. When it is overcooked it becomes tough and chewy. That is why a 137°F internal temperature creates the perfect flaky, moist piece of fish for you to enjoy.

A bowl of brown rice with a piece of baked mahi mahi and blueberry sauce.

Serving the Mahi Mahi with Blueberry Sauce

My favorite way to serve this Mahi Mahi recipe with Blueberry sauce is simply on a bed of brown rice. You could serve it over pearl or regular couscous or quinoa. Roasted vegetables, especially asparagus pairs great with this dish. Or you could just quickly serve a side salad with this and make it a meal.

  • Garnishments: Sprinkle on some chopped fresh parsley and add a small lemon wedge to each fillet. These along with the beautiful blueberry sauce makes such a pretty presentation that will definitely impress your guests. 

Three pieces of baked mahi mahi sitting on a bed of brown rice topped with blueberry sauce and lemon wedges and sprinkled with chopped parsley.

If you’re looking for more seafood recipes, here are a few good ones:

Shrimp Scampi with Spinach and Tomatoes

Pan-Seared Salmon with Creamy Mustard Sauce

Asian Seared Tuna with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Pan-Seared Salmon with Fruit Salsa

Cast Iron Salmon in Orange Sauce

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Print

Baked Mahi Mahi Recipe with Blueberry Sauce

Three pieces of baked mahi mahi sitting on a bed of brown rice topped with blueberry sauce and lemon wedges and sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Are you looking for a quick and easy seafood recipe that is both healthy and delicious? Baked Mahi Mai with Blueberry Sauce is a lovely variation from the mango or pineapple salsa that is most common. This is a light meal that is bright in color and especially impressive for guests. From start to finish you’ll have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.

  • Author: Kristy Murray
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Seafood
  • Method: Baking

Ingredients

Scale

For Blueberry Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup Shallots, thinly sliced
  • 4 large Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup Dry White Wine
  • 1/2 large Lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 cup of Sugar
  • 2 cups Frozen Blueberries
  • 2 teaspoons Corn Starch with 2 teaspoons water, for slurry
  • Pinch of Salt

For Baked Halibut

  • 4 – 5 or 6 ounce Mahi Mahi Fillets
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
  • 1 1/2 large Lemons, 1/2 juiced & 1 thinly sliced
  • 8 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced or minced
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 6–8 Sprigs of Thyme
  • Chopped Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

For the Blueberry Sauce

  • Heat a medium-size saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Swirl the pan until the butter is melted.
  • Add 1/2 cup of thinly sliced shallots and cook for about 2 minutes until the shallots are tender and browned. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1/2-1 minute.
  • Add 1/2 cup of dry white wine and cook until the liquid is almost evaporated.
  • Add the juice of half a lemon and 1/4 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add 2 cups of frozen blueberries and bring to a low boil. Then turn the heat to simmer.
  • Whisk together 2 teaspoons of water and 2 teaspoons of corn starch. Add the slurry to the blueberry sauce and stir until it is slightly thickened.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt. Stir and remove from the heat.

For the Baked Mahi Mahi Fillets

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper in a shallow baking dish.
  • Rinse and blot each Mahi Mahi fillet with paper towels and place each on the parchment paper in the baking dish.
  • Season each side of the steaks with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 8 thinly sliced garlic cloves, and the juice of half a lemon. Brush the Mahi Mahi with the melted butter mixture. And top with slices of one lemon and 6-8 sprigs of thyme.
  • Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 137°F with a digital thermometer.
  • Serve over brown rice with the blueberry sauce.
  • For garnishment, sprinkle chopped parsley and add a small lemon wedge on each piece of fish.
  • ENJOY!

Notes

  • In the blueberry sauce, I prefer a chardonnay, but any dry white will work. Just stay away from sweet or “table” wine.
  • You can use either fresh or frozen berries in this recipe but the rule of thumb is to use frozen berries when they will be cooked or baked in something. Use fresh with any other recipe.
  • You can substitute any mild-flavored dense fish for Mahi Mahi. Halibut, sea bass (although both are more expensive), cod, rainbow trout, or salmon.
  • After adding wine to any sauce, you should reduce the liquid to at least half before continuing. This allows the flavors to concentrate leaving a delicious sauce. For this Blueberry Sauce, I cooked the wine until it was almost completely evaporated.
  • How to thaw fish correctly
    • 1) In the Refrigerator – Remove the fish from its original vacuum package and place it in a ziplock bag on a plate. Refrigerate it overnight until thawed.
    • 2) In A Bowl of Cold Water – Do the same as above except instead of putting it in the fridge, submerge it into a bowl of cold water. You may need to use a heavy plate to keep it submerged until thawed.
    • Never thaw fish in the microwave.
    • Never thaw fish on the countertop at room temperature.
  • How do you know when Mahi Mahi is done? Remove the fish when the internal temperature reaches 137°F. An instant-read digital kitchen thermometer is the best way to determine that it is done.
  • Mahi Mahi cooks pretty quickly. When it is overcooked it becomes tough and chewy. That is why a 137°F internal temperature creates the perfect flaky, moist piece of fish for you to enjoy.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece of fish with blueberry sauce
  • Calories: 296 without rice
  • Sugar: 21 g
  • Sodium: 322 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 61 mg

Keywords: baked mahi mahi, easy baked mahi mahi recipe, mahi mahi in lemon butter sauce, how to prepare mahi mahi

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Comments

  1. mimi rippee says

    March 31, 2022 at 9:00 am

    yes yes yes!!!!!!! This is outstanding. And it’s so pretty. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      March 31, 2022 at 9:32 am

      Oh Thanks Mimi. I so appreciate you taking the time to share.

      Reply
  2. Abbe@ This is How I Cook says

    March 31, 2022 at 10:13 am

    Such a fun Spring dish. Full of flavor and the halibut version sounds fabulous!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Carrie Tyler says

    April 4, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Ok Kristy, I have never made a blueberry sauce for a savory dish, but you have my interest peaked! It looks delicious and so incredibly bright and fresh. Thanks for this wonderful new inspiration!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. jill says

    April 12, 2022 at 8:47 am

    This will be a stunner to serve! So beautiful! I can’t wait to serve this for company this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      April 12, 2022 at 10:57 am

      Thanks so much Jill. Hope your company enjoys the dish. And Happy Easter this weekend.

      Reply
  5. Eric says

    April 12, 2022 at 11:04 am

    What an interesting sauce for Mahi Mahi. I love fruit sauces with fish so I will have to try this. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      April 12, 2022 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks so much Eric. Fruit sauces are a nice complement to pretty much any fish. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

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