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This Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is full of Thai flavors and so simple. Made with flavorful Thai curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and a quick homemade curry powder. The salmon is seasoned, broiled until crispy, and then served in a creamy curry sauce with spicy chili garlic butter. A side of rice soaks up all that yummy coconut curry sauce, so delicious.
Looking back at all the years of recipes, there is so much variety, flavor, and color. When I started HBH just after turning 19, I had no idea what I was doing, or really how to cook for that matter. I truly was learning by doing and having a lot of fun experimenting with new flavors.
When I look back at the first year of recipes, I cringe at the photos, but you know what’s kind of funny? While the recipes are written poorly for sure, the ideas are honestly pretty solid and so creative.
My mind must have been so full of brand new ideas back then. I wasn’t afraid to try anything!
The other week I was reminded about an old Thai salmon burger that I had made. The flavors sounded so interesting and really delicious. I decided then that I wanted to do some kind of Thai curry with salmon.
Originally, this recipe looked a little different. But as I was cooking, I just kind of did what I often do, I winged it.
Somehow I ended up with caramelized curried salmon in the creamiest red curry sauce. The chili garlic butter was an afterthought, but it ended up MAKING the curry. Everything together is so delicious and flavorful.
Details – the salmon
Since I wanted to customize the flavors, I made my own curry powder for the salmon. I added lots of cumin and ginger with a touch of paprika, cayenne, and cinnamon. I think it’s the perfect blend.
I shared the recipe in the notes. Of course, you can also just use store-bought curry powder.
Once the salmon fillet is seasoned up on a pan, drizzle over the honey, then broil until crispy. This is my favorite easy, mess free, way to get salmon crispy on top.
The sauce
I kept the sauce really simple, butter, ginger, and lots of Thai red curry paste. Coconut milk keeps it creamy, and soy sauce adds a little salty flavor.
Finish cooking the salmon in the curry sauce so it stays really tender and flavorful.
Finish it up
Honestly, this chili garlic butter completes the dish. Is it needed, no, but it makes this salmon recipe really, really delicious.
Simply brown butter, golden garlic, and chili flakes and drizzle over the salmon just before serving. It really makes every bite melt in your mouth. A squeeze of lime juice is also delicious!
Add jasmine rice to complete the thai salmon curry…it’s essential for soaking up all that yummy curry sauce.
This is such a simple, wholesome, and Pinterest worthy meal. The perfect (non-boring) recipe to really keep things fun during the week. Oh and lastly, while it’s not traditional to Thai cooking, a side of fresh warm naan is especially delicious with this creamy curry sauce. Just an idea!
Looking for other dinner recipes? Here are my favorites:
Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles
One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese
Honey Garlic Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls
Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken
Lastly, if you make this Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 791 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 ounce) salmon filets
- 2-3 tablespoons spicy curry powder (homemade in notes)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 cups canned full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the broiler. 2. Place the salmon on a baking sheet and rub with olive oil, curry powder, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the honey over the salmon. Broil until crisping on top, 3-5 minutes, watch closely. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt together 1 tablespoon butter, the curry paste, and ginger. Cook, 2-3 minutes until very fragrant. Add the broccoli, coconut milk, tamari or soy sauce, and fish sauce. Slide the salmon into the sauce and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.4. Meanwhile, melt together 5 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook until the butter is browning and the garlic crisps. 5. Serve the salmon and sauce over bowls of rice. Drizzle the butter over the salmon and top with basil or cilantro.
Notes
Spicy Curry Powder:
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
kosher salt and black pepper Mix everything to combine. Makes 2-3 tablespoons.
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
kosher salt and black pepper Mix everything to combine. Makes 2-3 tablespoons.
This post was originally published on February 2, 2022
Made this last night and was perfect. Thank you for sharing. I slightly steamed the broccoli before adding to the sauce and included purple cauliflower florets and small carrots. Was sooo good!
Hey Melanie,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
This recipe sounds amazing but I’m a whimp when it comes to spice. How spicy? How can I best tone down spice without losing flavor?
Hi Debbie,
In the spicy curry powder, just omit the cayenne. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This is one of the best things I have ever made. It is good enough to sell. I had everything on hand. I used frozen salmon from costco. I seriously might make it once a week
Hey Paula,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
My husband said “dinner party food” after his first bite. As in good enough to serve guests. That’s a big compliment! It was delicious;made as is.
Hey Kimberly,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
5 stars. So delicious.
Hey Janie,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
So freaking good! This so going in the permanent rotation. The best is when you get a little crunch if the salmon too and a little crunch of the fried garlic. Awesome.
Hi Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
“Gotta keep this one”, my husband said. My boys devoured it. I was going to take a pic to post on IG, but it got eaten way too fast.
Hey Erin,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
So delicious! Thanks for another great recipe!
Hi Jennifer,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
This recipe is delicious as written! The crispy bits of garlic in the butter were glorious on top of everything. My family loved it, and we ate really well iced in the past couple of days. Thanks for this!
Hey Robin,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Made this last week and it was a big hit! You know it is a winner when the husband and I look at one another and say “Company worthy!”
Only caveat, I did not have fresh broccoli and we were in the middle of a snowstorm so I used frozen peas. Very tasty.
Hey Amy,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Made this dish exactly as written this eve and loved the depth of flavor with minimal prep and cook time. My hubby gave it two thumbs up 🙂 fantastic recipe!
Hey Mary,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
This recipe was excellent and so very easy! I made it tonight and we swooned over it! This will be made again!
Hey Robin,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Thanks Tieghan! You are my epicurean guru and go to! My foodie hero haha!
Lol thanks so much Robin:)
One of the best thai sauces I have been able to create – with such ease! Used asparagus instead of broccoli. Left out cumin – not a fan. Was delish. Ran out of time for the garlic butter but I have no doubt it would take this dish off the charts. I will make again with all different kinds of protein, most likely tofu for me and chicken for my husband!
Hi Elisabeth,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Made this recipe and it was amazing!! I added red bell pepper to sauce, left off the garlic butter to manage fat content and recipe was still absolutely delicious!
Hey Jennifer,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
The perfect weeknight dinner. Quick to make and super tasty. Definitely will make again!
Hey Heidi,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT