Health

Salmon in a Thai-Inspired Rich Red Coconut-Curry Sauce

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Healthy Salmon Red Curry

Tender, flaky salmon simmered in a creamy Thai red curry sauce makes an easy dinner that is both nourishing and full of bold flavor. This Thai-inspired salmon curry combines rich coconut milk, fragrant curry paste, fresh lime, and colorful vegetables for a comforting meal that tastes restaurant-quality at home.

Thai cuisine is known for its balance of savory, spicy, creamy, and citrusy notes, and this salmon red curry delivers all of that in one pan. It is a great option for a healthy weeknight meal, especially when served over steamed rice that absorbs every bit of the delicious sauce.

Salmon in a Thai-Inspired Rich Red Coconut-Curry Sauce

One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can use shredded or chopped vegetables based on what you have on hand, making it easy to customize to your preferences. Carrots and broccolini work beautifully, but many other vegetables fit just as well.

Leftovers are just as tasty the next day. Enjoy the curry reheated with rice, or flake the salmon and serve it over a fresh salad for a lighter meal.

How to Make Salmon Red Curry

Start by cutting the salmon into individual fillets if needed, then pat each piece dry with a paper towel. This helps the outside sear properly and creates a lightly crisp texture. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter with the oil. While the pan warms up, prepare your vegetables by shredding or dicing them into small pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.

Salmon in a Thai-Inspired Rich Red Coconut-Curry Sauce

Place the salmon in the hot pan skin-side down and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Once lightly seared, transfer the salmon to a plate.

Carefully remove some of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. Add the onion and cook until lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and Thai red curry paste, then cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or longer if you prefer softer vegetables.

Squeeze in fresh lime juice, then return the salmon to the pan. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Let everything cook until the salmon is fully done, then finish with fresh cilantro.

Salmon in a Thai-Inspired Rich Red Coconut-Curry Sauce

Serve the salmon curry over hot rice for a satisfying meal packed with flavor.

Prep Time

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb salmon, cut into 4 fillets
  • Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp salted butter
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
  • 1/2 cup shredded or diced carrots
  • 1 cup chopped broccolini
  • 1/2 tsp fish sauce, optional
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk (13.5 oz)
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 lime
  • Fresh cilantro, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the salmon into 4 fillets if necessary. Pat dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the salmon skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. Drain off some of the oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
  5. Add the onion and cook until lightly browned.
  6. Stir in the garlic and Thai red curry paste. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  7. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, carrots, and broccolini. Bring to a bubbling simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  8. Squeeze in the juice of the lime and return the salmon to the pan.
  9. Continue cooking until the salmon is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
  10. Top with fresh cilantro and serve immediately over rice.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1

  • Calories: 533
  • Total Fat: 42g
  • Saturated Fat: 24g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 79mg
  • Sodium: 517mg
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Protein: 29g

Why You’ll Love This Thai-Inspired Salmon Curry

This creamy salmon coconut curry is a comforting, flavor-packed dish with tender pan-seared fish in a rich red curry broth. The combination of salmon, vegetables, and coconut milk creates a wholesome meal that is hearty without feeling heavy. Paired with fragrant jasmine rice, it is an easy and satisfying dinner you will want to make again.