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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 curry sauce, so delicious.

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

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 is seasoned up, drizzle over the honey, then broil until crispy. This is my favorite easy, mess free, way to get salmon crispy on top.

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

Finish it up

Honestly, this chili garlic butter completes the dish. Is it needed, no, but it makes the salmon 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.

Add rice to complete the meal…it’s essential for soaking up all that yummy curry sauce.

This is such a simple, wholesome, and delicious 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!

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

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

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
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.

Ingredients

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. 
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Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious!! Sooo flavorfull! This is a keeper for me and came together quickly. I even started with frozen salmon. I had to cook it longer, but still delicious. Instead of making the garlic butter, I made garlic coconut rice. This is going in the rotation!

    1. Hi Lauren,
      Curry powder is a blend of spices:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

  2. Making this for 8 dinner guest tonight! What do you do with the broccoli? Maybe I’m missing it but I don’t see where that is added. Thanks!

    1. Hi Brooke,
      The broccoli is added in step 3:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xT

  3. 5 stars
    I made this for the third time in the last month but over mashed potatoes and with ground ginger instead of grated and it was the best yet! The sauce is TOO good!

    1. Hi Britnee,
      Love this!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your feedback! So glad it was enjoyed:) Xx

  4. 5 stars
    We’ve made this a few times now and it is so easy & delicious. I prep all thing before as it is a pretty fast moving recipe. The whole family loves this (3 and 5 year old included!)

    1. Hi Lauren,
      Thanks so much for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great Monday! xT

  5. 5 stars
    This sauce is otherworldly! Yes yes yes. Definitely gonna be in the rotation as long as I can get good fish. Thank you for this.

  6. 5 stars
    Great dish! I was cooking for a very picky eater and he loved it! I didn’t change anything except for halving the amount of sauce and butter. It was the perfect amount for three people.

  7. 5 stars
    This is such a flavorful dish! Just wow! I have two of your cookbooks but I enjoy following along with your TikTok videos. Five star restaurant quality cuisine, I can’t thank you enough!

    1. Thanks so much Britnee!! Love to hear that this dish turned out well for you and I appreciate you making it:) xT