Mahi Mahi is a mild-tasting, firm whitefish with the texture of swordfish. It’s a popular choice, especially among seafood lovers, since it takes on the flavors of the ingredients it is cooked, which is perfect for a variety of tantalizing cuisines. It is also prized for its high nutritional value, making it a healthy addition to many diets.
Are you wondering what to serve with Mahi Mahi? This recipe compilation — with 15 top-notch side dish ideas — will give you plenty of inspiration to get started.
1. Autumn Roasted Veggies
Vibrant and colorful autumn veggies are packed with nutrition, making them perfect for serving with protein-rich Mahi Mahi. The key to this dish lies in the spice blend used to flavor the veggies. So, raid your pantry, and toss these chopped veggies with all the spices before roasting them. The flavors of this irresistible delicacy pair beautifully with seafood.
2. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Bacon and Mahi Mahi may seem like an unusual combination, but don’t knock it until you try it! The earthy, sweet, and slightly bitter asparagus and delicious bacon are a great complement to the mild-flavored Mahi Mahi — creating a complex flavor profile that you won’t get enough of! It also adds a lovely crunch to the flaky fish, which sealed the deal for us.
3. Black Eyed Pea Salad
Black-eyed pea salad is a wholesome side dish to serve with Mahi Mahi — or any seafood, really! It uses ingredients that are good for your health, but credit has to go to the balsamic vinegar-based dressing that binds everything together and creates a flavor explosion. The recipe is also make-ahead friendly, and you can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
4. Caribbean Rice & Beans
This recipe combines sweet and spicy rice and healthy black beans with Jamaican jerk seasoning, crunchy onion and bell pepper, and cilantro to create the perfect side dish. It may feel like a complete meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with Mahi Mahi and gives amazing tropical flavors in each bite.
5. Cilantro Lime Rice
This fluffy rice dish is the perfect accompaniment to the tender Mahi Mahi, especially if you make fish curry. To make this rice, simmer long-grain white rice with chicken broth, salt, and ground cumin, and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Then, add chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest to infuse it with bright and tart flavors. Serve it warm, and enjoy!
6. Creamy Coconut Rice
This sweet and creamy coconut rice will enhance the flavor of roasted Mahi Mahi. Use rice, water, and a can of full-fat coconut milk to produce creamy rice that’s loaded with coconutty flavors. Remember to stir often to prevent it from sticking to the pan. You can serve it topped with toasted coconut or nuts.
7. Creamy Polenta
This creamy, lightly sweet polenta — a north Italian porridge — will take the buttery and tender Mahi Mahi main dish to the next level. It’s fantastic drizzled with olive oil, but if you’re looking for something even more decadent, you can serve it topped with cheese and herbs. To speed things up in the cooking department, pulse the cornmeal in a blender!
8. Easy Creamed Spinach
A generous helping of spinach combined with a creamy, velvety smooth white sauce — you can’t go wrong with this dish. The sauce is flavored with onion and garlic to give it a savory, aromatic kick. Serve it with grated Parmesan on top, and you’ll notice just how well it complements the buttery Mahi Mahi.
9. Fresh Mango Salsa
Sweet and juicy mangoes tossed with colorful and crunchy veggies, this fresh salsa is a great accompaniment to the rich Mahi Mahi. It also gets a decent amount of heat from jalapeño, a tangy flavor from lime, and some fresh herbs notes from cilantro, resulting in a side dish everyone will love.
10. Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks
This hot, crispy, and oh-so-cheesy side dish is loaded with garlicky flavors. The breadsticks are easy to make with store-bought pizza dough, and you can flavor them with a blend of garlic powder, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes for some oomph. Breadsticks also double up as appetizers, so consider serving them with warm marinara or ranch with the Mahi Mahi.
11. How to Make and Cook Zucchini Noodles
These zucchini noodles are a healthy spin on traditional pasta and can complement any seafood, including Mahi Mahi, beautifully. You’ll need to spiralize the zucchini and then sauté, boil, or bake it to get the desired consistency and texture. Toss it with parmesan, salt, and pepper, and then plate it with Mahi Mahi to produce a filling meal.
12. Jerk Shrimp
This jerk shrimp will be the star of your menu. The seafood meal is brimming with bright, sweet, earthy, smoky, and spicy flavors — and we have the flavorful marinade of Caribbean spices to thank for that. It offers a top-tier gastronomic experience when served with Mahi Mahi.
13. Lemon Couscous
This 20-minute couscous dish has a charm of its own, which explains why it is everybody’s go-to side dish for everything from seafood like Mahi Mahi to veggies. It gets a bright, tangy, and refreshing flavor from lemon, which complements the nutty flavors of pearl couscous. The best thing? You can make it a day in advance.
14. Parmesan Herb Orzo
Everyone in your family will love this classic side dish with Mahi Mahi. The trick to its delectable taste lies in coating the orzo in butter to give it a rich, buttery flavor similar to that of Mahi Mahi. You can then simmer it in chicken or vegetable stock until it absorbs all the liquid and flavor. Stir in the Parmesan before serving.
15. Refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad With Mint
Watermelon and Mahi Mahi is an odd pairing, but boy, does it work like a dream! To make it, you will combine sweet, juicy watermelon with salty feta, then take it to the next level by coating the two in a delectable minty-citrus dressing. It will produce an exquisite flavor profile and texture that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds!
