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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
    My husband worked in a restaurant and used to replicate their curry recipe, but when I made this, he didn’t even want to make the restaurant curry anymore. He wants me to make this recipe instead because it’s THAT good. It’s our only curry recipe now.

    1. Hey there,
      Fantastic!! 🌴🍌 I really appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you! xT

  2. 5 stars
    Everything about this was incredible. Fiancé raved about it and went to put more sauce bc it was that good. Had some friends over and they tried it and asked for a plate. Loved bringing in a sort of Thai flavour from the sas ice.. it’s a subtle Thai flavour but I prefer it like this when paired with the salmon! On rotation

    1. Hey Monica,
      Happy Monday!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xx

  3. 5 stars
    Amazing flavors and super easy to make. We wanted something other than broccoli so I added fresh spinach on top of the rice and baked sweet potato cubes around the side then the salmon and Thai curry sauce. The combo of sweet and spices was great and impressive too!
    Thank you for all your yummy recipes! I really appreciate these with great flavor but simple
    To make

    1. Hey Lisa,
      Fantastic!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! xT

  4. 5 stars
    Amazing! I love your recipes. I used a little less butter but other than that I followed the recipe. I will definitely make this again

    1. Hi Megan,
      Happy Wednesday! ⛅️🌈 I’m so glad to hear that this recipe worked well for you and I appreciate you giving it a try! xx

    1. Hey there,
      Fantastic!!🌺 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! xT

    1. Hey Manda,
      Wonderful!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was a winner! Have a great Wednesday! xx

  5. 5 stars
    Made this last night for our dinner guests and everyone agreed it was amazing! So simple to throw together yet so many amazing flavors. The browned butter adds a nice touch! Just the right amount of spice.

    1. Hey Melissa,
      Happy Sunday!!🌸 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! xT

  6. This sounds fabulous and I plan to make it for our dinner club this weekend; however, one of my friends does not eat salmon so I’m thinking I’ll do chicken. Any suggestions on altering the recipe for chicken (I love salmon and will definitely make it again as written!!).

    1. Hey Sally,
      Chicken sounds great, I would just increase your cook time, but otherwise you should be just fine following the recipe as written! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

  7. Holy yum! Made this tonight for dinner and my husband was pumping my tires the entire time! “This is the best thing I’ve ate in a while!” “This tastes like it came from a restaurant” … go on… seriously though, such a win! I added some lime and a bit of honey to the sauce just to balance the flavours a tad (I think I added too much fish sauce) and it was perfecto! The spicy garlic butter crunch made it so my hubby who normally needs a side of crunch with everything was completely texturally satisfied! Thank you!

    1. Hey Britney,
      Happy Friday!!⛄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this dish a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you:)

  8. 5 stars
    Made this for the second time tonight for 2 who do NOT like salmon. Both loved it, and my son-in-law said it’s the best thing I’ve ever made (and I do many HBH recipes). Great way to get fish into people. 😀

    1. Hey Marie,
      Happy Friday!!⛄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this dish a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you:)

  9. 5 stars
    Sooooo good. Made a slightly smaller batch, but added a little extra broccoli and also a shallot right before the broccoli (stir it in with the paste). I didn’t have Thai curry paste so i made extra homemade powder, and also kerala lime pickle (if you’ve never had this or mango pickle, you’re missing out!) so so good. Wasn’t sure if I’d like curried fish but it’s great.

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Wednesday!❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xT

  10. Hi! I recently made a 30 minute curry salmon recipe from your side but i can’t find it now. Did you take it down? Thank you

      1. 5 stars
        Made this for dinner tonight and it was fabulous.
        I found the curry sauce to be very thin. How can I make it thicker?

        1. Hey Vanessa,
          I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m thrilled to hear that it turned out well for you! I would just simmer the sauce longer for it to thicken. Have a great weekend! xx

      1. Hi Rachel,
        Usually broil doesn’t require a temperature, you just turn the oven to broil:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

  11. 5 stars
    Mmmmm, this was delicious! I know that I can NOT handle the cayenne I have (it’s a decades old jar because I use that little) so I just added the tiniest pinch. Avoided the fish sauce and for me this was just right. A tasty weeknight recipe!

    1. Hey Kathleen,
      Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! ❄️

  12. 4 stars
    Made this last night and used the curry recipe as stated above. I think it was too spicy for my taste (and I can usually handle spice!), so in the future I would use regular ground curry powder instead of the recipe that Tieghan provides. I would also add more broccoli as it didn’t seem like enough. But overall a delicious dinner – thank you for the recipe!

    1. Hey there,
      Wonderful!!😊 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was delish! Sorry about the spice! xT