Coconut Curry Salmon! Broiled salmon with a salty-sweet spice rub, creamy coconut curry sauce, and steamy rice to soak it all up.
Coconut Curry Salmon
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This curry is amazing! We tried this recipe for the first time tonight, and it’s definitely a keeper! It was very easy to make and so full of flavour. Thank you!
Brittney
Salmon has never been this good.
I mean, I know we talked a big game with those barbecue salmon bowls, and those salmon burgers with the crunchy slaw may be one of the most-made, last-minute, healthy-delicious meals of my life. And all the myriad other ways that I love to cook salmon.
But I think this one is top of the list for me now. Coconut curry salmon is everything I ever needed to happen to salmon, like, actually happening.
A quality piece of salmon. An aggressively salty-sweet spice rub. A quick high-heat trip to the oven. A simple, creamy, barely spicy, and MEGA flavorful sauce poured over the whole thing. Probably too much (but never too much) lime squeezing. And a steamy rice bed sopping everything up.
Count me in.
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Reasons This Curry Salmon Is My Everything:
- So fast
- So easy
- Comfort food
- Healthy
- High protein
- Lots of good fats
- Creamy but not in a heavy way
- JUST THE FLAVOR HONESTLY
And if you like the curry vibe but you’re not so sure about salmon, no judgment. You are in the right place.
Coconut Curry Salmon: FAQs
Any other ways to cook the salmon?
If you prefer, you can cut the salmon into steaks, salt and pepper them, and just add them to the simmering coconut curry sauce for 8-10 minutes. This will poach the salmon. I prefer the texture of the roasted / spiced salmon but I have done it both ways and it will work either way! You can also check out all the other myriad of ways to cook salmon.
Is this spicy?
Nope, not spicy but it does have LOTS of flavor!
What should I serve with this salmon?
Fluffy white rice is sooooo good with this and you could do a little green salad on the side, too.
Coconut Curry Salmon
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Coconut Curry Salmon! Broiled salmon with a salty-sweet spice rub, creamy coconut curry sauce, and steamy rice to soak it all up. YUM.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salmon:
- 1 1/2 lbs. salmon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more for a larger filet)
- 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
Coconut Curry Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small knob of ginger (minced)
- 1 tablespoon of lemongrass paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
- lots of lime juice and zest
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
For serving:
- cilantro, basil, mint, or other fresh herbs
- rice
Instructions
- Get the oven ready: Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place one of the oven racks close-ish to the top, about 6 inches or so.
- Make your rice: Cook rice according to package instructions.
- Salmon: Mix the spices and the olive oil to make a paste. Place the salmon skin side down on the baking sheet. Rub the paste liberally over the top part of the salmon. Bake for 6-12 minutes (depends on salmon thickness and desired doneness – I usually opt for 8-10 minutes). See notes and FAQs for potential broiling issues and alternative methods.
- Coconut Curry Sauce: Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and lemongrass; sauté for 5 minutes. Add brown sugar and curry paste; sauté for 3 minutes. Add coconut milk. Season with fish sauce, lime juice, and lime zest to taste. Add spinach; stir into the sauce until wilted.
- Serve: Place salmon over rice. Cover with sauce, lime juice, and fresh herbs.
Notes
If you try broiling the salmon, it can work (I have done it many times) but it is possible for your salmon, when rubbed with the sugar mixture, to light on fire if you get it too close to the heating element of your oven. If you are concerned about this, I would just use the regular oven temp of 450/475 as directed and wait until the oven has preheated to put your salmon in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Thai-Inspired
Keywords: salmon recipe, salmon curry, coconut curry, curry recipe, seafood curry
More Salmon Faves
- Hot Honey Salmon
- Baked Salmon with Amazing Lemon Sauce
- Perfect Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce
- Yummy Salmon Burgers with Slaw
- Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa
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Filed Under: All Recipes Dairy-Free Dinner Fish and Seafood Healthy Lime Main Dishes Most Popular Quick and Easy Recipes Rice Salmon Spinach Winter
December 2, 2019
Nice to meet you!
I’m Lindsay and I ♡ FOOD. I used to be a teacher, and now making food and writing about it online is my full-time job. I love talking with people about food, and I'm so glad you're here.
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This looks amazing!!! Definitely need to try ASAP 🙂
YES! You need this, Malia. 🙂
Is there anything I can substitute for lemongrass paste or will it hurt to omit it? I think it may be difficult to find in my area. Thank you!
Hi, Stephanie! You could try using some lemon zest instead. Enjoy!
This is a great recipe! I have made it several times. My husband often asks for it when I ask him for dinner suggestions. Since it is just the two of us I use 2 individual sized salmon filets. I add chickpeas to the curry sauce and enjoy the leftovers without salmon, just served over rice.
Amazing, Amy! So glad you and husband enjoy this recipe!
Made this for dinner because my family loves salmon and it was a big hit! My daughter aked for it again for her birthday dinner.
Used lemon zest instead of lemongrass and had lite coconut milk and it was still great!
Glad to hear it, Belinda!
This has been on my list to make for a while and I finally got around to it last night. Outstanding!! One of those recipes that makes you excited for all the leftovers 😊
So glad you enjoyed it, Janice!
Excellent recipe.
Made it with salmon the first time, and second time with shrimps.
Thanks for sharing !
This is outstanding. I’ve made it several times, and for company twice as well, and it never fails to get raves.
This was so delicious. I didn’t change a thing other than using more spinach. It was hearty and rich but didn’t way you down. Perfect for a cold Sunday night.
So glad you enjoyed the salmon, Jenni!
Just had this for dinner, and it was soo good! It’s going in my “favourites” binder 🙂 thank you!
Yes ma’am I will give this recipe a try. We just had an allergy test done on my son and found out (just last week) that he is allergic to fish and tree nuts! Man I wish I could have him try this dish. But mommy and daddy can! Thanks for sharing dear! Hope the move is going well for you guys.
Enjoy, Nicole!
This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it. May I ask what soup recipe you used to eat the bread with?
Hi, Anna! Do you mean the soup that we’re dunking the bread into in the videos here? That would be our Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup. 🙂
Love love love coconut curry, will for sure be trying this!
Enjoy, Jen!
Lemongrass paste? Is there any alternatives? I’m not sure I will be able to find this at any grocery stores where I live. Looks like an amazing recipe for salmon!
Thanks!
You could try fresh lemongrass (if you can find it at a local grocery store) or fresh lemon zest instead. Enjoy, Dianne!
I have seen lemongrass sold in a squeeze tube along with other herbs in the refrigerated section of supermarkets. I have also ordered lemongrass paste from Amazon.
Looks incredible! Any idea where I can buy lemongrass paste?
We’d suggest checking your local grocery store to see if they have it. You could also check a specialty market. Otherwise, just thinly sliced fresh lemongrass can work here or even fresh lemon zest.
I made this for an anniversary dinner and my husband and I both agreed it was the best meal we’ve had in a long time! Tasted like we went to a restaurant but was so quick and easy to make. I only used 2 salmon portions but I like another commenter’s suggestion to use the leftover curry sauce with chickpeas. I also didn’t have ginger or lemongrass paste but it was still delicious!
Awesome, Natalie. We’re so glad you chose this recipe to enjoy on such a special day!
This looks great! Is there a particular brand of lemongrass paste you recommend? Haven’t used it before.
Any brand at your local grocery store will work. 🙂
Made this last night but subbed the crispy tofu from the Tofu and Peanut Sauce recipe because we’re obsessed with it and it was delicious!
YUM!
This looks delicious. Is there a substitute for the lemongrass paste? Thanks
Hi, Judith! You could try using thinly sliced fresh lemongrass or even a bit of fresh lemon zest.
What type of curry powder do you use?
Hi, Tammy! We just used the ground curry powder spice you can find in the spice aisle at your local grocery store. 🙂
I made this tonight for dinner and it was fantastic. Everyone loved it !
Yay! So happy to hear that, Lindsay! 🙂
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Informative Blog!
I enter into eating salmon with caution (its not always my favourite) but this recipe was beyond delicious!!!! Another winner!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this, Kara! 🙂
Hi, Cooking this as it sounds delicious but you say 1 can Coconut milk so which size like here in Oz we have 2 sizes so please let us know , cheers
A 14-ounce can of coconut milk will work here. Enjoy, Krisanne! 🙂
Thanks so much I made it last night and was absolutely delicious 😋
Yay! Love hearing this!
Just made this and loved it! Even my husband is not the biggest fan of salmon and he couldn’t get enough! Thanks for this delicious recipe!
So glad it was a hit, LaToya!
This was absolutely delicious!
So happy to hear that, Liz!
Any lemongrass paste substitutes? This is hard to find in Germany. It’s hit and miss even at the Asian shops … thanks!
Lemon zest could work here instead. 🙂
Can i use canned salmon? If so.. how would you adjust the method?
We’d really suggest fresh salmon here.
I just left the Grocery store and forgot to grab fresh spinach. Can I use with frozen spinach?
Yep, that should work just fine!
This was the first time my children enjoyed eating salmon. Everyone enjoyed it, which is rare.
Made this tonight & it was delish. Wondering if you gave a recommendation for a vegetable and wine to accompany it?
Hi there, Jennifer! We’d suggest some white wine, something like a Riesling, and a simple green salad here. Enjoy!
Does the calorie per serving include rice or just the salmon?
Just the salmon and coconut curry sauce. 😉
I made this tonight and OMG it’s so good! I cut the recipe in half and since I didn’t have red curry paste for the sauce I used half red miso paste and half red curry powder in place of it. So easy to make and delicious too! ❤️
So glad you enjoyed this, Julie!
This might have been the most amazing salmon recipe I have ever tried! It was so flavorful and delicious and not that hard to make. My whole family LOVED it!!!
So happy to hear that, Nicole!
5 stars, this dish is amazing, restaurant quality and presentation.
I’ve always wondered how coconut curry is made, turns out its pretty simple!
I grated the ginger and minced the garlic (couldnt find instrux in the recipe).
Would be good with prawns too.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for the comment!
Just had this for dinner…wow! Like many of your other recipes, they never disappoint. Delicious and easy meal!
So happy to hear you enjoyed this, Falen!
Delicious! Made this tonight for dinner with steamed broccoli. My hubby loved it even though he always says he doesn’t like curry.
So happy to hear that, Sue!
Loved this recipe – just scarfed it up for dinner!! Added a few veggies to the curry also. Thank you for this!
Glad to hear you enjoyed this, Gina! Extra veggies in this sound delicious. 🙂
Made this for dinner tonight and we all loved it! So easy and full of flavor. I haven’t cooked salmon in a while and this is my new favorite. Thanks so much for another awesome recipe!
So happy to hear this, Anna!