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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.
Hi- this looks amazing! Just making sure there is no curry in the spicy curry powder recipe? Thanks!
Hi Carrie,
Yes, that is correct! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Made this tonight and even my toddlers loved it. I was a little hesitant for using that amount of butter, but that brown butter with the crispy garlic and crushed red pepper was AMAZING on this. All of it comes together and is delicious. I never write reviews but this was so so good. Will be part of our rotation for sure. Thank you for another amazing recipe!
Hey Nisha,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I want to make this recipe but substitute the salmon for chicken, how would you suggest cooking the chicken?x
Hey Amy,
Sure, that would work, depending on the size of your chicken I would cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I just made it . I hope is north spicy for my family . Looks delicious . Thank you
Thanks for trying the recipe, I hope you love it!! xx
Loved this made it for dinner tonight. I had to thicken it with a cornstarch slurry. It then looked like Tieghan’s dish lol. Absolutely loved it thank you!!!!!! Will definitely make this again.
Hey there,
Perfect!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
Delicious! I made it with coconut rice and fresh pita. I got distracted and didn’t do the butter separate but it was still great.
Hey Tessa,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well! xT
Made this tonight.
The flavors were spectacular. As another commenter stated, the sauce was a bit thin, but with a cornstarch slurry it was fine.
Hey Deana,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your comment, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
For goodness sake – you have done it again… This. Is. DELICIOUS! I didn’t bother roasting the salmon – just seared it in the same pan, pulled it out made the curry sauce and popped it back in… chefs kiss 🤌🏼
Lol thanks so much Veronica!! I love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks so much for making it! xT
Happened to see this recipe this morning and had everything on hand to make it. I used massaman Thai curry paste and it was absolutely delicious! The garlic chili butter on top. 😘
Hey Julie,
Perfect!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
This recipie is super tasty. I love it!
Hey Som,
Perfect!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
Is this spicy? We tend to not like too much spice. But it sounds absolutely delicious. Would I just decrease the cayenne?
Hey Laura,
This dish really isn’t all that spicy, but you can totally omit the cayenne without compromising any flavors. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I halved the recipe because I only had 12 oz of salmon, so the sauce didn’t really cover the salmon. Just had to put the lid on to steam to finish cooking the fish for a couple minutes after following the steps as is and it worked great! Skipped the butter but added garlic with the ginger as some others recommended, but I bet the butter is great too!
Thanks Tieghan – solid recipe as always 🙂
Hey Leah,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT
Hi Tieghan!
Just curious if you think this would be good prepped as lunches for the week? My husband does not like coconut curry but I do and I want this salmon in my life! ☺️
Hey Anna,
Lol yes, I think that would work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
We are trying to eat healthy while still having flavor. This dish hit the spot. It’s so easy and so flavorful, and even my salmon hating husband loves it. We swapped green beans and it turned out great.
Thanks for a great recipe!
Hey Shannon,
Happy Monday!!⛄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I made this a while ago, and everyone loved it! Any suggestions for a butter substitute? Since making it last time, I now have to be dairy free for my daughter.
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes, Tieghan!
Hi Emily,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a hit! I would try a dairy free butter:) xx
Miyoko’s Butter is a really great vegan substitute for butter! I’ve used it in the past and thought that it was right on for flavor (though I haven’t had it in a while). Otherwise, solid coconut oil might work well.
I made this last night for New Years Eve dinner and it was PERFECT— so good!! The sauce is so simple, yet so flavorful! We all loved it!
Hey Katia,
Happy New Year!🎆🎈 I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! xx
Hi tieghan,
Do we cook broccoli first then dump into recipe or just raw?
Hey Erin,
You are going to add the broccoli to the dish raw. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
What an absolutely gorgeous dish! I just made this and it hit every checkbox for me – healthy fats, veggie(s), garlic, curry, rice, spice…!
Thank you so much for the recipe (I found it on Pinterest) – will be making this lots this winter!
Cheers from Toronto
Hey Katrina,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was delish! xx