Artificial Food Coloring Free Paleo Blackened Mahi-Mahi
Bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying, this blackened mahi-mahi is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like it came from a restaurant kitchen. The magic is in the homemade spice blend — smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and black pepper — every single ingredient is a whole, recognizable spice with zero synthetic additives hiding inside. That matters more than you might think, because commercial blackening seasonings and spice packets are notorious for sneaking in dyes and artificial flavor enhancers that have no business being on a beautiful piece of fish. Here, you control every element from the first shake of the jar to the final squeeze of lime. The cast-iron skillet does the heavy lifting, building that signature dark, crackling crust through pure heat and avocado oil rather than anything artificial. Served with fresh cilantro and bright lime wedges, it's clean, vibrant, and genuinely exciting to eat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 mahi-mahi fillets (about 6 oz each), skin removed
- 2 tbsp avocado oil, divided
For the blackening spice
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For serving
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
- 2
Pat the mahi-mahi fillets completely dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of each fillet with 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil, then press the spice blend firmly onto both sides of each fillet, coating evenly.
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