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–+ servings
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
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
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.
    raw mahi mahi fillets on a cutting board before getting smoked
  • 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.
    rubbing oil on mahi mahi before smoking
  • 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.
    seasoning mahi mahi to be smoked
  • 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.
    traeger pellet grill set to 250 degrees
  • 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.
    mahi mahi on cedar planks getting ready to smoked
  • 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 wood on lit charcoal

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.
    mahi mahi getting placed on a smoker to smoke
  • 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.
    smoked mahi mahi cooking in a smoker
  • 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 and video courtesy of 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
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