Instant Pot Coconut Mahi Mahi

Name: Instant Pot Coconut Mahi Mahi
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: 2 Mahi Mahi fillets (about 10 ounces total), cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 bell peppers, cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces; 1 onion, chopped; 1 13.5-ounce can full-fat coconut milk; 1 cup reduced sodium vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons coconut sugar; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; Cooked rice or cauliflower rice, for serving

by Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition | Jul 29, 2021

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Here’s how to make a delicious Instant Pot Coconut Mahi Mahi using fish, coconut milk, and chopped vegetables. This easy and healthy dinner recipe can be made in just 25 minutes.

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One of my favorite types of food to cook in the Instant Pot pressure cooker is fish and seafood. The fish always gets cooked perfectly without being overcooked.

This recipe is reminiscent of ones I’ve had while on vacation in Hawaii. Making it at home always brings back wonderful vacation memories.

If you are new to cooking fish in the Instant Pot, then you’re going to love today’s recipe. The tender and meaty Mahi Mahi gets cooked with flavorful coconut milk and tender vegetables.

Served over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice, this is a delicious dinner that you can get on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Why You Need This Recipe

It’s super simple to prep. If you chop your vegetables ahead of time you can just place everything into the Instant Pot and turn it on.
Mahi mahi can dry out easier with other cooking methods but comes out tender when cooked in the pressure cooker.
This recipe is easily customizable. If you don’t have or like Mahi Mahi, you can use halibut, cod, or salmon as well.

Key Ingredients

Mahi mahi filets are excellent low calorie but high protein fish fillets. They’re also an excellent source of heart healthy B-vitamins.

Bell peppers & onions are naturally sweet vegetables that pair well with white fish. Colored bell peppers are sweeter than green ones so I recommend yellow or orange if you don’t have red.

Coconut milk is the creamy base for this soup and the richness adds depth to the light and flaky white fish.

Vegetable broth is a great way to add instant flavor to soups and stews. They can be high in excess sodium though so I recommend buying one that’s labeled reduced sodium.

Coconut sugar adds sweetness to the broth. If you prefer to leave this out you can but it tastes delicious with it.

Salt & pepper is essential to bring out all the flavors of the recipe. Don’t underestimate the power of a small amount of sea salt.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Chop two Mahi Mahi fillets into bite-sized pieces. You’ll also need to chop up a couple of bell peppers, and an onion.

As always, please do see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

In the bowl of an Instant Pot pressure cooker, combine the chopped fish and vegetables, along with one can of coconut milk, one cup of vegetable broth, coconut sugar, salt, and black pepper.

If you are on a sugar-free, low-carb, or Whole30 diet, just leave out the coconut sugar or use a sugar-free substitute.

instant pot with mahi mahi, bell pepper, and coconut milk

Step Three

Next, lock on the lid and set the cook time to five minutes at high pressure. When the cooking time is complete, use the quick release so the fish doesn’t get overcooked.

Step Four

Carefully remove the lid from the Instant Pot. Stir the ingredients and serve the stew over cooked white rice, brown rice, or sautéed cauliflower rice. I like to make Instant Pot Basmati Rice to go with this dish.

cooked mahi mahi and bell peppers in a bowl

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

You can use whatever white fish you like for this recipe including Mahi Mahi, halibut, cod, or even salmon.
You can use light coconut milk, if you prefer.
Leave out the coconut sugar if you are on a low-sugar, low-carb, or Whole30 diet.
Feel free to serve your cooked fish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
If you don’t have vegetable broth, feel free to use chicken broth or even a cup of water instead.

FAQs

Can I use another type of white fish besides Mahi Mahi?

Yes, you can use whatever type of fish you like. I would stick with white fish or salmon for this recipe, though.

Can I use light coconut milk for this recipe?

Yes, but your fish stew will not be as rich and flavorful.

Can I use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar?

If you don’t have any coconut sugar you can substitute brown sugar in place of it.

Other Easy Fish & Seafood Recipes

Or, check out my entire index of gluten-free fish recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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