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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
    Wow. This recipe was delicious. Don’t take a shortcut by skipping the garlic butter – it absolutely makes this dish. It’s a fairly simple recipe but one worthy of the most discriminating dinner guests.

    1. Hey Ginger,
      Thanks so much for your comment and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit and thanks for making it! xTieghan

  2. 5 stars
    I made a comment and got an error message. I am going to try again and hope it works.

    Very easy and super flavorful. I didn’t have broccoli, so I subbed spinach, and that worked well. I almost forgot the butter sauce at the end. I am so glad I remembered it, as it added another level of flavor! The dish is on the salty side, so I will make adjustments to reduce this next time I make it.

    1. Hey Djienne,
      Wonderful!! Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xxT

  3. 5 stars
    Very easy and super flavorful. I didn’t have broccoli, so I subbed spinach, and that worked well. I almost forgot the butter sauce at the end. I am so glad I remembered it, as it added another level of flavor! The dish is on the salty side, so I will make adjustments to reduce this next time I make it.

    1. Hey there,
      Wonderful!! Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xxT

  4. I started making your recipes a month ago, they are all amazing! Do you think I could use chicken? My daughter won’t touch seafood. I have made most of your Thai dishes and was able to sub where need be. Which is awesome! Though we make salmon dishes when she is at sleepovers. 🙂

    1. Hey Katie,
      Thanks so much for your kind message, yes totally chicken would be great!! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan

  5. Salivating just thinking about making this tomorrow. Quick question… the spicy curry recipe doesn’t actually have curry powder in the recipe—is that right or am I dense?

    1. Hey Melinda,
      Yes, that is correct, it’s the mix of spices that make the curry seasoning. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan

  6. 5 stars
    I made this tonight (just without cayenne pepper) and it was AMAZING! Just like everything else on this website! The curry sauce was so good I wanted to slurp it up!

    1. Hi Lissette,
      That’s great!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xxT

    1. Hey Kat,
      Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xx

  7. 5 stars
    I’ve been wanting to try this recipe since when I saw you post it. I love curry & salmon, so these two are a match made in heaven! I topped mine with green onions. I used Roland red curry paste instead of the “Thai” brand. The addition of the garlic chili butter is the cherry on top! You never disappoint Tieghan!

    1. Hi Leah,
      Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx

  8. 5 stars
    Delicious! I used steelhead trout instead of salmon and it was totally fine. The sauce alone with really salty so I added some honey, lemon juice, and rice vinegar which perfected it!

  9. 5 stars
    This is a big hit with the family. Comes together really easily and the flavor is excellent. I don’t even care for salmon, but, this is delicious. Works really well with shrimp. The brown butter garlic drizzle is outrageous!

    1. Hi Holly,
      Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it. Have the best week:) xx

  10. 5 stars
    This is so delicious and comes together so quickly! The flavors are top notch. Thank you for the recipe!

    1. Hey Ana,
      Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan

  11. 4 stars
    My husband enjoyed this recipe, but for me it was missing some flavor. And that could definitely be because I used low fat coconut milk (it’s what I had). It was still a very enjoyable meal but not my favorite, if I make it again I’ll make sure to use full fat coconut milk!

  12. This recipe was super easy to make and DELICIOUS. Thank you so much for continually challenging me to try things out of my comfort zone 🙂 Have a great day!

    1. Hey Kelly,
      Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your review!? xT

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Tieghan. This. Is. Amazing. So delish. That sauce – words dont do it justice. So easy. So quick! Friday night dinner in an hour. Cant beat it. Its very easy to tailor to our tastes, too. More or less spicy or salty. Thanks for all you do.

        1. Hi Cindy,
          Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx