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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
This was probably the best meal I’ve ever cooked for myself. I lightened it up by using half the butter, light coconut milk, and brown rice and it was excellent.
Hey Mary,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
We made this salmon last night and absolutely loved it! We followed the recipe exactly and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing another fantastic recipe to add to our rotation. I can’t wait for your new cookbook to arrive!
Hey Lauren,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This recipe was SUCH a hit with my family, that even my picky eater had a clean plate! Thank you to Tieghan for such a delicious, easy, and healthy meal!!!
Notes: I used maple syrup instead of honey only bc that’s what I had, cilantro on top, even for the calorie conscious, the garlic butter is a must, and lastly if you don’t own a rice cooker, I highly recommend the purchase!
Hey Cynthia,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for sharing your notes! xxT
Delicious! Thank you Tieghan, your recipes are incredible! I almost forgot to add the garlic butter with chili flakes which is the perfect finishing touch. Made it with your coconut rice from the Thai Basil sesame cashew chicken recipe. AMAZING!!
Hey Tara,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Will definitely make the salmon again. The sauce slightly missed the mark.
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Clare! Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the sauce. xTieghan
This was super delicious! Love the spice, the flavor was spot on, and easy to throw together. This will become part of the regular rotation for sure!
Hey Natalie,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
I made this last night using Arctic char (as i can get that fresh, but not salmon!) and it was absolutely phenomenal. Will definitely make again. I topped with green onion and basil. Delicious!
Hey Chelsy,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Made this tonight for dinner and it was fabulous! Printing it out for the binder of “go-to” recipes.
Hey Janet,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
OMG Soooooooooooo good! Hubby said it was like eating out at a very good restaurant. Going in the rotation! Thanks!
Hey Aimee,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This is so so good!!! The coconut curry sauce is to die for. I think this sauce could work with any protein you have. I’ll probably try it with chicken next time! Thanks for another amazing recipe.
Hey Shelby,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
We made this tonight; shoulda waited a week because this is like one of those dinners perfect for a romantic Valentines Day dinner! So delicious! Easy, easy to make. Better than any restaurant. Thank you!
Hey Chris,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This was so good and very easy! The brown butter really made it rich, love the spice too! It was restaurant quality ?
Hey Kim,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Could I omit the curry paste and still achieve good flavor? I’m a fan of curry but my hubs is not.
Hey Jenny,
The curry is really a huge part of this recipe, maybe something like this would be more appealing to him:
https://fett-weg.today/honey-garlic-salmon-soba-noodle-bowls/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/cilantro-lime-salmon/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/chipotle-salmon/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Sounds and looks delicious
Thanks so much!!
Wow! As always, another great recipe!
Doesn’t get any better!
Love the broiling of the salmon and then finishing it stove top in the pan with the brocoli coconut milk/spices. The flavour combinations were outstanding! The finishing drizzle of the chili garlic butter gave the salmon an extra kick! Loved it!
Hey Trisa,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan