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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.
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 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.
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 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!
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.
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 was amazing! I will make this again and try with prawns and/or chicken. I had leftovers and it was even better the next day, which is weird for salmon. Used bok choy instead of broccoli, as that’s what I had on hand. I’m going to make again this weekend. Thank you Tieghan 🙂
Hey Lisa,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Love this recipe! Can you please add cilantro and lime to the ingredients list? Super bummed I didn’t get those at the store because they weren’t on the list. Used lemon instead as that’s all I had. Great recipe!
Hey Alyssa,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Sorry about that!! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Yum! I’d enjoy seeing more fish recipes!
Hey Ashley,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
This is far and away the best salmon recipe I’ve ever made. Never would have thought the butter and garlic at the end would make such a difference!! I’d give this 10 stars if I could!! Thank you!!
Hey Katherine,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Oh my word. THANK YOU for your amazing recipes. Tried this one tonight and wow. It. Was. Amazing. The sauce is delicious and the browned butter and garlic on top were the perfect finish. Def printing this recipe and making again! Discovered your cookbooks at the library and I’m hooked! Thank you! ?
Hey Rebecca,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
Amazing! I made it as-is for my parents and we were all oohing and ahhing over how good it was. I didn’t feel like the garlic butter was needed at the end and will probably skip that step next time, but overall fantastic!
Hey Michelle,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
This was amazing. I’ve made it twice now and my husband and adult daughter both gave it a two thumbs up.
Hey Pam,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ? xx
I’ve made numerous half baked harvest recipes and this HAS to top the list. So much flavor and came together in less than 30mins! The curry sauce is so amazing and wow-that salmon seasoning blend is just to die for. My husband is already asking for more. It’s a must try!
Hey Sydney,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go!! ☘️Tieghan
SO flavorful. Can’t believe all this flavor comes from such a simple recipe. Didn’t take long at all to throw it together and it was so delicious 🙂
Hi Kate,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Wow another hit!! I usually don’t make/eat salmon but have been wanting to incorporate more fish. This sauce slaps!! I will definitely be making this again, maybe even using the same sauce recipe and substituting chicken. So good!
Hi Ashley,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Amazing! I added jumbo shrimp and served over cauliflower rice and broccoli! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Kristen,
Happy Sunday!! Love to hear that you have enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it!! xx
Made this last night and absolutely loved it! Such a wonderful recipe!
Hi Jenna,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have the best weekend❄️ xTieghan
This meal was delicious! I thought it was going to be complicated to make but it was explained well which made it quite simple to cook! My whole family enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to making it again! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi Julia,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
Oh my goodness! This is so good! The spice rub and honey on the salmon are where it’s at!!
Hi Laura,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
This is so flavorful!! I let the sauce simmer for a while before adding the salmon, it thickened up so nicely it was delish. Didn’t even need the garlic butter that curry sauce is too good !
Hi Taylor,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx