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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
    Loved this recipe, super easy and so tasty!

    I added the Spicy Mango from the Weeknight 30 Minute Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs and really like having that brightness!

    1. Hey Jennifer,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend!🎄⛄️

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely loved this dish. Did not deviate from the recipe, was surprised at how smoothly all the flavors came together. I highly recommend using the notes to make the homemade curry powder for the salmon.

    1. Hey Jim,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend!🎄⛄️

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe is a weekly staple in our house. I don’t really care for salmon, but this is a 10 out of 10. DO NOT SKIP THE GARLIC BUTTER. I’ve swapped the salmon for shrimp and it works brilliantly. Kids love this recipe. Half baked harvest for the win!

    1. Hey Holly,
      Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe so often and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it is always enjoyed! Happy Holidays!🎄🎁

    1. Hey Justin,
      That is totally up to you, skin on the salmon is personal preference. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

  4. Delicious dish. One of our favorites recently.

    The only thing I changed was 3 tbs of butter instead of 6 and didn’t notice a difference from last time I made the recipe.

    1. Hey Kevin,
      Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Happy Tuesday! 🎄

  5. 5 stars
    This was incredible, I’ve been trying to integrate more fish into my diet but I always manage to overcook it, but these are perfect and that sauce is next-level. Thank you!

    1. Hey Sara,
      Happy Monday!! 🍁 Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT

    1. Hey Jessica,
      Happy Monday!! 🍁 Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT

  6. 5 stars
    Another HBH favorite! It has the perfect amount of spice and the garlic butter is so good! I love these saucy salmon recipes, they are perfect fall/winter meals!

    1. Hi Korin,
      Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xTxT

  7. This was so incredibly delicious! It’s a perfect midweek meal to kick things up. This is definitely going into the roster – thank you for sharing!

  8. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times, my family LOVES it. Recipe is simple and easy to follow. We feel that it tastes great as is with out the garlic butter, so I sautee the garlic with the ginger. Bursting with flavor, thank you!

    1. Hey Brittany,
      Happy Friday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out tasty for you, thanks a bunch for giving it a try!

  9. 5 stars
    Amazing! Used half the amount of butter and half coconut milk half soy milk and it was delicious and tasty. This was also so easy to make!

    1. Hey Sara,
      Perfect! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a hit! xx

    1. Hey there,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Sure, I bet the air fryer would be great! xx

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan

    1. Hey Rebecca,
      Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan

      1. Sounds delicious. Will be making this but will skip the butter. Seems a little excessive when there is already full fat coconut milk involved.

          1. 5 stars
            Update: I made this last night for dinner. Skipped the butter entirely and instead sautéed the garlic with the ginger and curry paste in avocado oil spray and substituted half the coconut milk for chicken bone broth, and added more broccoli. Shaved about 200 calories off each serving and it was still creamy and absolutely delicious!

  10. 5 stars
    Really delicious and easy to put together. Reduced the red curry to 1/8 cup because of my toddler. It was more than enough. Will definitely have on my list for when we have guests come over