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    Home » Seafood

    Published: Jul 27, 2021 · Modified: Jun 18, 2024 by Mads Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Smoked Mahi Mahi with Lemon Pepper Rub

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Learn how to make smoked mahi mahi on ANY grill or smoker! Mahi Mahi is a deliciously firm fish that comes out GREAT when smoked.

    It's also incredibly easy to prepare and to smoke, whether you are using a pellet grill like a Traeger or Pit Boss, an electric smoker like a Masterbuilt, or just a conventional propane grill like a Weber. 

    smoked mahi mahi
    Jump to:
    • Seasoning the Fish
    • Best Wood Choices
    • Smoking Temperature
    • Target Internal Temperature
    • Cooking Time
    • Using Cedar Planks
    • Grill Basket or Grill Mat
    • Monitor Your Temperature
    • Serving Suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Seasoning the Fish

    Mahi Mahi, being a firmer fish, holds up well to stronger flavors compared to more delicate fillets like tilapia and halibut.

    You can go still gentle and delicate with a simple blend of salt, lemon pepper, thyme and garlic if that's your thing.  You can also add in some smoked paprika for more color and depth of flavor.

    Mix the spices and sprinkle on the mahi mahi after rubbing both sides with some olive oil.

    You can place the fillets in a ziploc bag and let them marinate for an hour in the refrigerator while you get your smoker set up.

    Alternatively, you can go a little bigger and use a spicier BBQ rub like our current favorite Three Little Pigs Kansas City BBQ Rub.

    Three Little Pigs Kansas City Championship BBQ Rub LARGE 12.5 Oz
    Three Little Pigs Kansas City Championship BBQ Rub LARGE 12.5 Oz
    Check Price on Amazon

    Best Wood Choices

    Because we are only smoking the mahi mahi fillets for such a short period of time, you can really get away with any kind of smoking wood of your choosing.

    a hand holding wood pellets

    If you want to keep it simple and straightforward, choose a lighter smoking wood like alder, oak, apple, or peach.

    Want more smokey wood flavor?  We also really like hickory or cherry for smoking mahi mahi.

    But if you want a more delicate flavor, then go lighter with some conventional wood choices.

    Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle (4)- Apple, Mesquite, Hickory, and Cherry Flavors (Original Version)
    Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle (4)
    • Contains most popular flavors- Apple, Mesquite, Hickory, and Cherry
    • Made in the USA
    Check Price on Amazon

    Smoking Temperature

    We are going to set up the smoker for indirect cooking at 250-275°F.

    When we are smoking fish, (unless we are looking to smoke small thin strips for preservation, like a jerky where we dry out the protein on purpose at super low temps), anything lower tends to dry out the fish before it cooks completely.

    You CAN set the temperature higher if you want a higher heat taste and finish, just know that smoking over 325°F may burn any sugar in your fancy BBQ rub, and the mahi mahi may cook too fast to absorb any smoke flavor before its finished.

    Target Internal Temperature

    You HAVE to use a good instant read meat thermometer to know where the internal temperature is of your mahi mahi fillets, especially because they will cook relatively FAST!

    We are particular fans of this one from Thermopro because of its durability and affordable price.

    ThermoPro TP19H Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer - Backlit
    Check Price on Amazon

    We are targeting a final internal temperature of 145°F on the mahi mahi to know that it is finished cooking. 

    Cooking Time

    At 250°F, the typical mahi mahi filet will take about 45-60 minutes to cook and come up to 145°F internally.

    This gives it plenty of time to absorb a good amount of smoke and really develop some great flavors on the smoker.

    But watch your internal temperature closely, smaller fillets may only take 30 minutes to finish cooking!

    Using Cedar Planks

    You can also experiment with cooking your mahi mahi on cedar planks for some added woods-ey flavor.

    Check out our complete guide on how to grill with cedar planks HERE.

    Make sure to soak the cedar planks in water for at least an hour before putting them on your grill or smoker so that they don't char and burn.

    This also helps release steam and flavor the mahi mahi while they are smoking.

    Coastal Cuisine Cedar Grilling Planks - Designed for Moist & Flavorful Fish, Meat, and Veggies 7x16” Set of 8
    • Easy to use on gas & charcoal grills; large size
    • Adds sweet-smoky flavor to your grilling favorites
    • Great for beef, chicken, fish, pig, seafood or vegetables
    Check Price on Amazon

    Grill Basket or Grill Mat

    Because mahi mahi is more delicate than other cuts of meat, you may be more successful if you place the filets in a grill basket rather than directly on the grill grates.

    We are particular fans of the ORDORA Portable Grill Basket because it comes with its own handle, making it much easier to manage and move lots of delicate food around with one quick motion.

    ORDORA Grill Basket, Fish Grill Basket, Rustproof Stainless Steel BBQ Grilling Basket for Meat,Steak, Shrimp, Vegetables, Chops, Heavy Duty Grill Basket Outdoor Grill Accessories
    ORDORA Grill Basket, Fish Grill Basket, Rustproof Stainless Steel BBQ Grilling Basket for Meat, Steak, Shrimp, Vegetables, Chops
    • 3 Custom Divided Sections
    • Food-safe Material, Rustproof 201 Stainless Steel
    • Larger Cooking Surface
    • Portable with Detachable Wooden Handle
    Check Price on Amazon

    Another option is to use a grill mat, which are becoming increasingly popular in many BBQ circles, especially for delicate veggies and small seafood like shrimp and scallops.

    Our personal favorite is the Grillaholics Grill Mat.

    Just throw it down on your grill to keep your fish (or any other food) from falling through. It keeps your grates really clean, and when you are done, you just throw it right in the dishwasher!

    Grillaholics BBQ Mesh Grill Mat - Set of 2 Grill Mats Non Stick - Nonstick Grilling with More Delicious Smoky Flavor - Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty
    Grillaholics BBQ Mesh Grill Mat - Set of 2 Grill Mats Non Stick
    • Grillaholics Grill Mat Mesh allows more air circulation for your food to give it that extra smoky flavor.
    • Dishwasher safe
    Check Price on Amazon

    Monitor Your Temperature

    Almost every grill and smoker will have some sort of temperature gauge on them.

    Now, if you are using a pellet grill or electric smoker, you should be able to pretty accurately dial in your desired temperature of 250°F with the turn of a dial.

    This is what makes them so convenient!

    If, however, you are using a charcoal or propane grill/smoker, you can't rely on the cheap lid mounted temperature gauge that come installed on them.

    We have found these can sometimes be up to 30°F off from what the true actual temperature at the grill grate level.

    This is unacceptable.

    This is why you will always see competition cooks, and backyard chefs who know their stuff, using wireless digital probe thermometers to keep track of both their meat AND their cooking chamber.

    And even if you have a fancy pellet grill like a Traeger or even an electric smoker, it can't hurt to double check how accurate your temperature settings are to the true temperatures you are getting.

    We are big fans of the ThermoPro Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer series.

    ThermoPro TP08 300FT Wireless Meat Thermometer for Grilling Smoker BBQ Grill Oven Thermometer with Dual Probe Kitchen Cooking Food Thermometer
    ThermoPro TP08 300FT Wireless Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe
    • 300ft remote range
    • Oven safe with highly accurate stainless steel meat probe and oven/ grill/ smoker temperature probe, to allow you to monitor both food and ambient temperature simultaneously
    • Food temp & HI/LOW ambient temp alarm
    • Highly accurate temp range 14˚f to 572˚F; Displays both Fahrenheit and Celsius
    Check Price on Amazon

    Although at a higher price point, the MEATER thermometer is one of our favorite wireless thermometers because it uses Bluetooth to pair with an app on your smart phone. It's like a GPS for food.

    MEATER Plus | 165ft Long Range Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth for The Oven, Grill, Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Sous Vide, Rotisserie
    • ► 2 Sensors, 1 Probe: Dual temperature sensors can monitor internal meat temperature up to 212°F and ambient / external temperature up to 527°F simultaneously. Dishwasher safe.
    • ► Advanced Estimator Algorithm: Can estimate how long to cook and rest your food to help plan your meal and manage your time.
    • ► Connectivity Suite: Monitor your cook from a phone or tablet over Bluetooth. Extend your range Using MEATER Link WiFi and MEATER Cloud to use Alexa and monitor your cook from a computer.
    Check Price on Amazon

    Serving Suggestions

    Your smoked mahi mahi fillets should be served immediately after removing them from the smoker.

    You can brush at the end with a BBQ or mustard glaze or just have them simply seasoned right off the grill!

    No need to rest or wait to eat!

    You can also slice up that fish to make delicious smoked mahi mahi fish tacos, or incorporate it into a dip for a party for all to enjoy.

    📖 Recipe

    smoked mahi mahi on a pellet grill

    Smoked Mahi Mahi with Lemon Pepper Rub

    Mads Martigan
    We rub our Mahi Mahi fillets with oil and a delicious lemon pepper and basil rub before smoking low and slow with indirect heat until they are cooked to perfection.
    These simple Smoked Mahi Mahi fillets can be prepared on ANY grill or smoker!
    Whether you are using a pellet grill like a Traeger or Pit Boss, an electric smoker like a Masterbuilt, or just a conventional propane grill like a Weber, you can still follow the same basic principles below. 
    5 from 2 votes
    PRINT PIN SHARE SAVE Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Australian, barbecue, BBQ, Hawaiian, Mediterranean, Seafood, Smoked
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 400 kcal

    Equipment

    • Grill, Pellet Grill, or Smoker
    • Wood chunks or a pellet tube smoker with pellets or a smoker box with wood chips
    • 2-4 Long Cedar Planks, soaked in water for 1 hour (optional)
    • Grill Tongs or Spatula
    • Instant Read Thermometer and/or Leave in Temperature Probe
    • Ziploc Bag
    • Filet Knife
    • Cutting Board

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lbs Mahi Mahi Fillets rinsed patted dry, cut into (4) ½ lb portions
    • 6 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 4 cloves Minced and crushed fresh garlic can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
    • 2 tablespoon Lemon Pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
    • 2 teaspoon Paprika for color
    • ½ Lemon Lemon Juice (squeezed) for juice at the end

    Instructions
     

    Prepare and Season the Mahi Mahi

    • Divide the Mahi Mahi fillets into 8 oz portions. Rinse well and pat dry.
    • Place the Mahi Mahi fillets on a cutting board and drizzle the olive oil over both sides of each fillet and rub to cover the surface.
    • Combine the garlic, salt, lemon pepper, thyme, basil, and paprika, in a small mixing bowl and then sprinkle ver each side of the mahi mahi fillets.
    • Place the fillets in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator while you prepare and preheat your grill or smoker.

    Set up the Grill, Pellet Grill, or Smoker

    • Light or turn on your smoker or pellet grill and set up the temperature to 250°F. If using a grill, set up the burners or charcoal on only one side for indirect cooking.
    • Brush the grill grates with oil to keep the smoked mahi mahi from sticking or use cedar planks that have soaked in water for at least 1 hour to hold the fillets.
    • Add your wood chunk(s) directly to the firebox or on top of the charcoal of a smoker, or use chips in a smoker box, or pellets in a tube smoker on a gas grill.

    Smoking the Mahi Mahi

    • Once smoke is being produced, put your mahi mahi filets in the smoker, or on the grill AWAY from the direct heat, even if using cedar planks.
    • Cook the mahi mahi fillets continuously at 250°F, without flipping, until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. This should take about 45-60 minutes.
    • Remove the smoked mahi mahi from the grill or smoker, optionally squeeze some lemon juice over the fillets, and serve immediately while hot.

    Notes

    Recipe inspired by Chef Tips

    Nutrition

    Calories: 400kcal
    Keyword 275 gallon smoker, barbecue, bbq, BBQ fish, BBQ Rub, big green egg, Camp Chef, camp chef pellet grill, Cedar Plank, Garlic, garlic marinade, Lemon Pepper, Mahi Mahi, Masterbuilt, seafood, smoked fish, Smoked Mahi Mahi, traeger, Tuna
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Mads Martigan

    Mads is the founder of Madbackyard.com and has been a BBQ and Grilling enthusiast for the past 15 years. He loves to write about and make videos on smoking and barbecuing all kinds of great food.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Charles Entwood says

      August 02, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      5 stars
      Smoked some Mahi Mahi fillets on my camp chef following your directions with just some chef paul's seasoning but were amazing. Will have to try the cedar planks next time!

    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

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