The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Grilled Mahi Mahi with Red Pepper & Cilantro Pesto

4.80 Mitt(s) 5 Rating(s)5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 55 votes, average: 4.80 out of 55 votes, average: 4.80 out of 55 votes, average: 4.80 out of 55 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

4
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

It’s time to throw open the cover of the grill and cook like winter’s coming back tomorrow. Grilled mahi mahi is firm and moist. And the pesto? Well, let’s just say that I’ve already thought of any infinite number of uses for it.

Ingredients

  • FOR THE PESTO:
  • 2 whole Roasted Red Peppers, Chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons Slivered Almonds, Toasted
  • 1 clove Garlic, Chopped
  • ⅓ cups Chopped Cilantro
  • 3 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1-½ teaspoon Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
  • ¼ cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • ¼ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • _____
  • FOR THE FISH:
  • 2 teaspoons Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1-½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoons Chipotle Chile Powder
  • 4 whole Fillets (6 Oz. Each) Mahi Mahi
  • 4 teaspoons Olive Oil

Preparation

The pesto:
Place roasted red bell peppers in the bowl of a food processor. Add slivered almonds, garlic, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and lime juice. Pulse until combined. While the food processor is running, slowly pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set the pesto aside.

The mahi mahi:
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and chipotle chile powder. Rub each of four 6-ounce mahi mahi fillets with 1 teaspoon olive oil and rub 2 teaspoons of the rub mixture into one side of each fillet.

Heat the grill to high and lay the fillets rub-side down on the grill. Cook until a crust forms, about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not try to move the fish too soon or the crust will tear. Flip each fillet and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the fish is barely cooked through.

Serve each mahi mahi fillet with several tablespoons of the pesto.

11 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Profile photo of LilaBelle

LilaBelle on 2.13.2011

Yep… it was AWESOME!! I made extra of the pesto to put on just about everything I make until I run out ;)

Profile photo of cookincanuck

cookincanuck on 5.10.2010

Stacey, I’m so glad you enjoyed this as much as I do. I have made this pesto several times and, as you mentioned, eaten it on everything I can think of.

Profile photo of staceycooks

staceycooks on 5.10.2010

Well, what can I say? I tried this on Saturday evening and it was absolutely delicious! I substituted the Mahi Mahi for Swordfish as I can’t get hold of it here in the UK. It was so good though. The pesto was incredible. You can taste every individual flavour. None of the flavours overpower any of the others. They compliment and blend beautifully. I served ours on a bed of coriander infused basmati rice and it went down a treat with The Man. Thanks so much for sharing. The pesto will definitely be a keeper recipe to use on anything and everything in the future!

Profile photo of cookincanuck

cookincanuck on 5.5.2010

redletterwords, I’m so glad you liked this. Great idea to do it with scallops! I’m going to have to try that.

Profile photo of redletterwords

redletterwords on 4.28.2010

oh my gosh! this was soo good:) we didn’t have mahi mahi so we did scallops instead and loved it:)
thank you!!

5 Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Profile photo of rxjenna

rxjenna on 4.24.2014

This was amazing! The pesto was phenomenal! The seasoning on the fish was delicious too. Will definitely be making this again.

Profile photo of Patti J

Patti J on 7.18.2011

Excellent flavors! Easy enough for a weeknight meal but fancy enough for guests! In addition to the brown rice, I also made a delicous spinach, cilantro, mango, english cucumber salad w/ cilantro lime dressing! Yum!

Profile photo of Extraordinary

Extraordinary on 4.6.2011

I enjoyed this dish! The seasoning on the fish was missing something for me….maybe because I halved the amount, as I was only using two fillets. I truly enjoyed the pesto though, very unique flavor!

Profile photo of carolinakate02

carolinakate02 on 8.26.2010

The pesto was amazing- I made it in the morning and kept snacking on it throughout the day :) We invited my brother for dinner and he called it “fancy”- great for guests- simple and delicious

Profile photo of Rhonda

Rhonda on 8.17.2010

This pesto is great, not just fish. Sorry it took so long but I’m making it again Labor day.

Related Recipes

Mango Tilapia
Profile Photo by Shavanna in Main Courses
This is an easy, tasty and healthy recipe for a pan-seared...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Skillet Swordfish with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Artichokes
Profile Photo by Anna Phillips in Main Courses
Heres a simple one pan dish to wow your guest! The...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 2 Level: Easy


Coconut Shrimp with Mango Salsa
Profile Photo by Christina in Main Courses
This light and crispy shrimp dish is perfect for a weeknight...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Crispy Fried Cod
Profile Photo by The Gourmet Country Girl in Main Courses
Make your next fish fry at home with this easy cod...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 2 Level: Easy


15-Minute Shrimp in Sauce
Profile Photo by Lori Kemph | Mutt & Chops in Main Courses
A 15-minute shrimp in sauce with the rich flavors of tomato...
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 2 Level: Easy