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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
I LOVE all of the ingredients, especially fish sauce in Thai food and this recipe is gorgeous. Mine turned out too salty which I think was from the fish sauce and Tamari, do you feel its on the salty side? Also, it was a bit watery compared to yours which may be because I used a little more broccoli then the recipe called for. I used Mae Ploy red curry paste.
Hey Lianna,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! You could always use coconut aminos to reduce the salt. xTieghan
Made this tonight! My husband and I loved it! So easy too. If you love coconut curry, you’ll love this.
Hey Deena,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
This was so delicious! I subbed red pepper flakes for chili flakes and didn’t have fish sauce but it turned out amazing. Will be making this again!
Hey Kristin,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I’m not a fan of salmon but it’s my husbands favorite so I try to cook it every way imaginable to make it more tolerable for me, and I’ve finally found it! So so delicious!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
This was a delicious meal and on the easier side of some of your recipes on the preparation side! It was a little spicier than I usually do, but there was so much flavor behind it that it was worth it.
Hi Lexi,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Is there anything to use instead of coconut milk? I hate the taste of coconut and have never used coconut milk but worry that it tastes like coconut. Suggestions?
it definitely tastes like coconut! unfortunately, you can’t make a coconut curry salmon without coconut. though, I’m sure you could use heavy cream instead for a similar style broth. try googling coconut milk replacement for coconut curry ?♀️
I’m planning on using a mixture of non-fat milk and plain, nonfat greek yogurt! (My husband also doesn’t like coconut and I use this substitution all the time!) It gets you the same consistency.
I hope you love the recipe Mikaela!!
Hey there,
Any other milk that you enjoy will work well here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I made this last night and my husband and I thought it was amazing! We LOVED it!
Thank you Tieghan, it’s a keeper!
Hey Jan,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
My new favorite salmon recipe. The butter garlic sauce was essential. I do not recommend skipping!
Hey Tara,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Great taste, but wayyyyy too much butter in the recipe. With all these great flavors, the butter was just too much. Any ideas on how to cut it back??
Also felt that finishing it with the garlic butter was not necessary. I tried it with the butter and it was just to heavy. I topped it instead with fresh cilantro, lime and some chutney. Gave it a pop of freshness
Hi Kim,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, just reduce the butter to your liking:) xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was delicious. I did add diced carrots and a bit less red curry paste and it was a huge hit! The garlic brown butter is the extra touch that makes it so tasty.
Hi Paula,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
This was sooooooooo delicious!! And easy to make!
Hey Amy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
We made this tonight for dinner…loved it! We used riced cauliflower. Our new favorite salmon recipe…will definitely be making again!
Hey Andrea,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
My husband who’s very picky… said this recipe could be served in a restaurant! We loved it
Hey Stacy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Is there a way to make spicy curry using actual curry powder as the base (i.e. just adding cayenne pepper)?
Hey Jessica,
My spicy curry powder recipe is listed above under “recipe notes”. Please let me know if you have any other questions:) xTieghan
I only have frozen cod at home and really want to make this – do you think that would still work with this recipe?
Hey Tiffany,
Yes, that would totally work! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan