This Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is a one-pan dinner that’s bursting with bold, rich flavors and ready in just 25 minutes. Tender salmon fillets are seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a creamy coconut milk sauce infused with red curry paste and garlic butter. It’s a comforting dish with Thai-inspired flair, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner without the fuss. Plus, it’s highly adaptable—pair it with rice, noodles, or roasted veggies for a balanced and satisfying plate.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)

• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk

• 2 tablespoons red curry paste

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Optional: ¼ teaspoon chili flakes

• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

• Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

• In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat.

• Add salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

• In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

• Stir in curry paste and cook for 2 minutes.

• Pour in coconut milk and stir to combine. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.

• Add lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

• Return salmon to the skillet and simmer for another 5–7 minutes to absorb the sauce.

• Optional: Sprinkle with chili flakes for extra heat.

• Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Nutrients: (Estimated per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: ~425 kcal

• Protein: ~32g

• Fat: ~30g

• Carbohydrates: ~6g

• Fiber: ~1g

• Sodium: ~400mg

This easy, flavorful coconut curry salmon is perfect for when you want something fast, nourishing, and full of depth. Great for entertaining or weeknight indulgence!

The Harmony of Flavors

What sets this coconut curry salmon apart is how it masterfully balances a variety of flavor profiles. Red curry paste provides heat and aromatic depth, blending chili peppers, lemongrass, and spices into a potent base. Coconut milk softens the spice with its velvety sweetness, creating a sauce that feels indulgent yet clean. Garlic butter deepens the savory notes, while a splash of lime juice at the end lifts the whole dish with a citrusy brightness.

The salmon fillets, seared first and then gently simmered in the sauce, absorb all these layers of flavor while keeping their juicy texture. This cooking method ensures that the salmon is both golden on the outside and moist on the inside, while also becoming infused with the sauce’s richness. It’s a satisfying sensory experience—savory, tangy, slightly spicy, and comfortingly creamy all at once.

One-Pan Wonder with Minimal Mess

One of the greatest appeals of this dish is its simplicity. It’s a one-pan meal, which not only saves you time but makes cleanup effortless. You begin by searing the salmon to develop color and lock in moisture. Once the fish is set aside, the same pan becomes the base for the sauce. Sautéing garlic in butter, stirring in curry paste, and simmering everything in coconut milk means the flavors are layered directly into the same skillet, building depth without added complexity.

The entire process takes just about 25 minutes—quicker than most takeout deliveries and far more rewarding. With very little prep and only a few ingredients, this dish transforms into something that tastes like it took hours to make.

A Versatile Recipe for Any Occasion

While this dish feels luxurious, it’s incredibly versatile. You can serve it in many ways depending on your mood or what you have on hand. For a classic Thai-inspired meal, serve it with steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice, which soaks up the curry sauce beautifully. For a low-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or a bed of roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli. You can also spoon it over rice noodles or vermicelli for a more indulgent, slurp-worthy bowl.

Want to change things up? The sauce pairs just as well with shrimp, scallops, or tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian twist. It also works as a base for a full curry—add chopped vegetables or leafy greens, and you’ve got a heartier stew-style dish that feeds more people while stretching the ingredients further.

Nutrition Meets Indulgence

Despite its creamy texture and bold flavor, this recipe offers a good balance of nutrients. Each serving provides around 32 grams of protein and healthy fats from both the salmon and the coconut milk. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health, while garlic and curry paste offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. The coconut milk contributes medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are known to boost energy and metabolism in moderation.

With just 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving, this dish is also suitable for low-carb and keto-friendly diets. It’s deeply satisfying without feeling too rich, and its light carb profile makes it perfect for those trying to balance nutrition with flavor.

Simple Ingredients, Elevated Result

Part of what makes this recipe so special is how it elevates pantry staples and freezer-friendly ingredients. Canned coconut milk, red curry paste, garlic, and butter are items many people have on hand. Fresh salmon is ideal, but frozen fillets can work just as well if thawed properly. The use of minimal, accessible ingredients means you can whip this up on a whim without running to the store—and the flavor is anything but ordinary.

Fresh garnishes like cilantro and lime help brighten the dish and cut through the creaminess. A sprinkle of chili flakes adds a customizable level of heat, allowing you to adjust based on your spice tolerance. These little touches make the dish feel restaurant-quality, even when it’s being served at your kitchen table.

Why This Dish Belongs in Your Rotation

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is more than just a quick dinner—it’s a meal that teaches you how a few well-chosen ingredients can go a long way. It’s proof that elegance in cooking doesn’t require hours of labor or complicated steps. When you need something that feels a little special but doesn’t ask for much in return, this dish is the perfect fit.

It’s also ideal for families or couples who crave variety. One night you can serve it with rice and a crisp cucumber salad. The next, transform it into a noodle bowl with quick-pickled veggies. Even leftovers taste amazing the next day when gently reheated.

Conclusion

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is the kind of recipe that checks every box: easy, flavorful, nutritious, and adaptable. It comes together in one pan with ingredients you likely have on hand, but delivers a depth of flavor that rivals your favorite restaurant dishes. The seared salmon is tender and golden, the sauce is creamy and aromatic, and every bite feels both indulgent and balanced.

Perfect for weeknights, entertaining, or a romantic dinner at home, this dish makes it effortless to eat well without stress. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation—and why cooking great food doesn’t need to be complicated when you have a formula this good.