Caponata is a delicious topping for grilled mahi-mahi or any of your favorite grilled fish. It's easy to make and will add a lot of flavor to the fish
How to make Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Caponata – A Restaurant Style Dish
Mahi-Mahi was always a staple fish during my restaurant days. It’s mild-flavored fish that holds up well to just about any type of preparation and added flavors. Like my Blackened Mahi with a pineapple lobster sauce or my Poached Mahi-Mahi served with a lobster sauce.
Although I readily admit that fish is not one of my favorite dishes, I do try to get it on my home menu at least once a week and being creative with toppings has helped me learn to enjoy more types of fish. I consider myself very lucky to have good reliable sources for fresh seafood, which does make choosing the right fish much easier.
Lisa is willing to try just about any type of seafood I bring home and I can usually tell if she’s just being polite or whether she really enjoyed the meal. With my Grilled Mahi, there was no question, that she enjoyed the dish (although I think she liked the caponata better than the Mahi-Mahi).
Can I cook Mahi-Mahi in the oven?
I do enjoy grilling fish, but if it gets too cold or just can’t grill, you can easily roast this fish instead. Just a little olive oil sea salt and black pepper and you’re in business.
Twenty minutes in the oven at 350 degrees should do it nicely, just don’t forget to add a little water to your pan to keep the Mahi-Mahi from drying out.
What should I serve with Mahi-Mahi?
I like to serve garden fresh vegetables with fish whenever I can. My choices are sauteed spinach, asparagus and sweet corn when it’s in season. And don’t forget the starch. Rice is always a good choice and I use either Brown Rice or Jasmine Rice.
But whatever side dishes you choose, you’re going to enjoy a delicious restaurant-style meal in the comfort of your own home, for a fraction of the cost.
If you enjoyed this recipe you might also like these recipes for your grill!
- Cedar Planked Grilled Salmon
- Grilled Lamb Chops with Watermelon Feta Salad
- Trio of Skewer Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Alfredo
Caponata is a delicious topping for grilled mahi-mahi or any of your favorite grilled fish. It's easy to make and will add a lot of flavor to the fish
- 14 ounces Mahi-Mahi skin removed
- 1 medium eggplant peeled then grilled cut into small dice
- 1 small zucchini sliced longway then grilled and cut into small dice
- 1/2 cup of assorted pitted olives small dice
- 1 medium tomato small dice
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- coat eggplant and zucchini in olive oil season with sea salt and pepper and grill or roast until barely cooked.
- dice eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and olives (cut in a small dice)
- mix in a bowl with chopped basil, olive oil, vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and sea salt to taste
- Lightly coat mahi-mahi with olive oil, and season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Grill mahi-mahi over high heat 7-10 minutes on each side
*Eggplant, and zucchini can be roasted if grilling is not an option
** (if roasting, place mahi-mahi in a baking dish with a little water in the pan and roast at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.
Sara says
This looks lovely. I am new to grilling but your directions are so easy to follow that I am going to give it a go. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Glad I found your site, you have a lot of tempting seafood recipes!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
I am away from home visiting family for 5 weeks and I’ve been so sad that I’ve left my kitchen behind. It’s so hard to cook my favorite recipes for the family since my kitchen tools are at home and I’ve made brats way more than I’d like to say. I like that this dish doesn’t require any special tools to make. I can even get my mom to help out and serve a fresh garden salad with this mahi mahi.
Kelly Anthony says
I love eating fish in the summer because it is so light. This grilled mahi mahi with caponata looks like the perfect meal for a hot summer day.
Heather says
This looks like an amazing dish. Can’t wait to try this one myself!
Analida Braeger says
very nice presentation ! Mahi mahi is such a great delicate fish. I have never had caponata so i will have to try it this way
Sharon says
Mahi Mahi is one of my favorite types of fish to make. I love the toppings on this too.
Anna says
I have never tried mahi-mahi or caponata before, but this dish looks and sounds incredible, and I’m definitely going to be putting this on my list of things to try! Love how fresh and healthy this is!
Veena Azmanov says
I love such healthy and tasty option. I am drooling with the thought of it. One of my favorite.
Shannon Gurnee says
I love fish and haven’t had Mahi-Mahi in such a long time! This looks like a delicious recipe.
Louisa says
You had me at “Grilled Mahi-Mahi”! I did not even know what Caponata was before reading this post. Looks soooo tasty!
rika says
That looks amazing! I love fish especially Mahi Mahi! So good for grilling
Ruth I says
I am not sure if I’ve tasted mahi mahi already. This looks so good and I think I will be trying this soon!
Danielle says
This looks like one of those dishes that you try once and keep making over and over again one week after another. Delicious fish that I really enjoy cooking.
Tasheena says
This sounds amazing to make. This would be perfect to add to my upcoming menu plan for my family.
Eva says
I love caponata! Never tried mahi-mahi but I appreciate its texture judging from the pictures. I would want to try it. I’m sure it pairs wonderfully with all the veggies.
Stacie says
This is such a majestic meal. I haven’t had Mahi in a long time but I may just need to pick some up for this recipe.
Kathy says
That looks so delicious. I must give this a try. I honestly don’t think I’ve even had caponata before. Sure looks good.
Aleta says
Yum!! I love how fast this dish is to make and it looks really easy too! The caponata looks extra delicious… can’t wait to give it a try!
Heather says
It looks delicious! I love mahi-mahi! The topping looks amazing with it and I bet it tastes as such!
Kim says
I’ve never had mahi mahi, but have heard it is delicious. The vegetables on top look yummy.
Tatiana says
I love fish! It’s such a great idea for dinner. I like the presentation and it looks unrealistic beautifully!
Rena says
Chef Dennis, you never fail to tempt me with these amazing creations. I love Mahi Mahi and this recipe looks absolutely delicious! Pinning!
cait says
im always a huge fan of fish but this seems amazing- def love a good mahi mahi so i cant wait to try it w/ friends this weekend! Thank for sharing!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
I love mahi-mahi and have never tried to make it at home. The reason I haven’t is cause I thought it was going to be too difficult and now I know that has been a lie. Can’t wait to give this a try!
Amber Myers says
My family would like this! They are big on seafood. I am not. But I’ll sometimes make seafood for them and have a salad.
Jeanette says
I love grilled mahi-mahi! It’s probably My favorite way to eat it. I am definitely going to try this. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
Alli Smith says
I love seafood, especially grilled fresh seafood. The caponata looks so fresh and delicious – the perfect way to top the mahi.
GiGi Eats says
With a topping like that, I would DEVOUR this mahi mahi in 5 seconds! I am not a huge white fish fan, but I would take it down, no problem because over all, I just love fish. My husband ADORES mahi, but I don’t think he would like the topping because he’s pretty picky. Blackened is his preferred.
Janet says
Living in So FL we have lots of fresh mahi available year round. Never would have thought of topping this way and looks like a winner!
Giovanni says
The Mahi-Mahi’s sicilian name is Capone. This is the recipe that gave rise to the “caponata”
Maria says
The presentation gets 5 stars for sure!! And it looks absolutely delicious as well!!! I love olive tapenade with white fish. Sounds weird, but tastes amazing!
Chef Dennis Littley says
thank you Maria! I do love the flavors together too.
Mary Frances says
It really looks beautiful. Mahi Mahi is definitely a dish I am guilty of ordering during vacations to Florida! You did a beautiful job jazzing it up!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Mary Frances, I do love eating our fresh Florida seafood!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
I made this last night and it was a huge hit w the Fam! Even the little ones loved it! Thanks so much for sharing Dennis.
Chef Dennis says
Thanks for letting me know Gwen, the caponata was such a nice accompaniment to the Mahi!
mangiabella says
very nicely done – I just bought some Mahi Mahi, one of my favorites…hope things are warming up a bit in your neck of the woods
Jeanette says
I love this healthy preparation of mahi-mahi. Now if it was just a bit warmer outside, I might turn on the grill.
Dara says
I love caponata on anything – but I’ve never tried fish. What a light and tasty dinner.
Minnie@thelady8home says
I love fish, though Mahi-Mahi is a bit too smelly for me. But I love this recipe.
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
Oh I just love fish and seafood! This will be a great menu idea for meatless Fridays and Lent in a few weeks. Thanks for sharing! Perhaps I’ll put some mango on my magi-mahi ~ what do you think, Chef Dennis? 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Such a nice presentation and the caponata sounds like a perfect topping!