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Easy Coconut Curry Salmon

Southeast-Asian inspired easy, spicy coconut curry salmon, all in one pan on the stovetop. Delicious with rice noodles to slurp up the spicy sauce.

Plated coconut curry salmon over rice stick noodles.

Do you like salmon?  We love salmon.  Ever get in a rut making it at home?  We do.  Honestly, I try and make salmon at home at least once a week, usually baked or grilled with a simple sweet/spicy glaze of mustard and brown sugar or maple syrup.

This week though, I wanted spicy and I had all the ingredients on hand for an asian-inspired riff on coconut curry salmon, and this hit the jackpot.

Coconut curry salmon in skillet.

It's spicy and creamy, a lot of Thai and a little Vietnamese going on here, and all the flavors come together beautifully.  I served it over rice stick noodles, called bahn pho.  Rice is good, too.

Salmon and noodles twirled on fork.

The ingredients can easily be found in the supermarkets, but if you can, seek them out at an Asian grocer.  You'll have more choices, more authentic choices, as they most likely will be imported from Southeast Asia.  I do know it makes a difference, especially with the red curry paste.  I like Thai brands Mae Ploy and Maesri.

Salmon in coconut curry sauce in pan.

I don't know what else to say about this salmon dish.  Meathead and I were literally slurping the noodles drenched in the curry sauce like two noisy kids.  We had no shame and both went back for seconds.

The next day, Meathead grabbed what was left and took it to work for lunch before I could stop him.  Next time you make salmon, try spicing it up with this easy coconut curry salmon recipe.  Happy slurping!  Best, Kelly🍴🐦

Forkful of salmon and noodles.

Here are some other easy salmon recipes to make and enjoy salmon at home:

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UPDATED: Originally posted in 2016, spruced things up a bit and published in March, 2020, no changes to original recipe.

Plated coconut curry salmon over rice stick noodles.

Easy Coconut Curry Salmon

Southeast-Asian inspired easy, spicy coconut curry salmon, all in one pan on the stovetop. Delicious with rice noodles to slurp up the spicy sauce.
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 129kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce I like Red Boat
  • 2 tablespoons sambal oelek I like Huy Fong Foods brand, out of California
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 4 pieces salmon about 6 to 8 ounces each, skinless
  • 1 tablespoon light sesame oil
  • ½ cup sliced scallions
  • 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
  • 1 (7 to 9-ounce) can light coconut milk
  • Handful of cilantro roughly chopped

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine curry paste, fish sauce, sambal oelek and sweet chili sauce. Add salmon fillets and toss gently to coat.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add sesame oil, heat, and then add the the salmon mixture and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Turn salmon pieces over and add scallions and cover. Cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Carefully remove salmon to a plate, no worries if it breaks apart a little. Stir in sweet soy sauce and coconut milk and whisk to combine well. Bring sauce to a simmer and then nestle salmon back in the pan. Cook another 3 to 4 minutes or until salmon is cooked through. Add cilantro and serve with rice stick noodles (bahn pho) or jasmine rice. Enjoy.

Recipe Notes

The ingredients can easily be found in the supermarkets, but if you can, seek them out at an Asian grocer.  You’ll have more choices, more authentic choices, as they most likely will be imported from Southeast Asia.  I do know it makes a difference, especially with the red curry paste.  I like Thai brands Mae Ploy and Maesri.
Serve over rice or rice noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcal Carbohydrates: 12g Protein: 1g Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 916mg Potassium: 65mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 9g Vitamin A: 1898IU Vitamin C: 3mg Calcium: 29mg Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!

 

4.88 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Stephanie

Tuesday 14th of July 2020

This is an excellent, tasty & very quick & easy dish to make. I love Thai food but was never very keen on the combination of salmon in a curry sauce. So glad that I finally tried it & will definitely be making again. Served over home-made cauliflower fried rice.

Meathead

Friday 13th of March 2020

A tasty break from the ordinary.

jacqui

Tuesday 17th of September 2019

Amazingly good

Keisa

Friday 9th of March 2018

One of the BEST things I’ve ever made! Absolutely delicious!!

Pat Odoms

Monday 30th of October 2017

Excellent recipe. I did not have any more red curry paste on hand and so used green curry paste. Will definitely fix it again. My boyfriend who is very picky also loved the taste.

Pat Odoms

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

Follow up. I fixed recipe again but this time used the red curry paste. Still fabulous recipe. Will make again and again.