Name: One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Thai-Inspired
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets; 1 tablespoon oil (for searing); 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk; 2 tablespoons red curry paste; 4 garlic cloves, minced (2 for curry, 2 for garlic butter); 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Salmon just got a serious upgrade. This One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is everything you want in a weeknight dinner: cozy, flavorful, and rich with warm spices that hug each flaky bite of fish. The coconut milk creates a velvety base that perfectly balances the boldness of curry, while the garlic butter drizzle takes it straight over the top.

This dish feels gourmet but is surprisingly easy to pull off, all in a single skillet. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, this recipe checks all the boxes for comfort and flair without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon

The magic of this recipe lies in the harmony of vibrant ingredients cooked together in one pan. The salmon turns buttery soft, soaking up the golden curry sauce infused with garlic, ginger, and a splash of lime. There’s minimal cleanup, maximum flavor, and the kind of aroma that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “What’s cooking?”

Perfect for a quick dinner yet impressive enough for company, this recipe balances ease and elegance. It also adapts beautifully—add some spinach, toss in bell peppers, or serve it over jasmine rice, and dinner transforms into a restaurant-worthy plate.

What Kind of Salmon Should I Use?

Fresh salmon fillets with the skin on are ideal for this recipe. The skin helps hold the fish together while it simmers and adds a delicious crispness when seared. If you can only find frozen, just make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking. Wild-caught salmon has a deeper, richer flavor, but farm-raised works wonderfully too. Choose cuts that are evenly thick so they cook uniformly.

Ingredients for the One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Every ingredient brings something essential to the dish. Here’s what you’ll need to make this luscious salmon curry:

Salmon fillets
Meaty, tender, and full of healthy fats, salmon is the star of this dish and holds up perfectly to bold flavors.

Coconut milk
Full-fat coconut milk adds a creamy, tropical base that pairs beautifully with curry and fish.

Red curry paste
This brings the warming heat and bold aromatics that define the dish.

Garlic cloves
Mince them fresh for a deep, savory kick that enhances every layer.

Ginger
Grated ginger adds a bit of warmth and zing to lift the curry sauce.

Lime juice
A splash of acidity brightens the richness of the coconut and balances the heat.

Butter
Melted and drizzled over the top, garlic butter adds luxurious flavor to finish.

Fish sauce or soy sauce
Just a dash lends salty depth and umami to the sauce.

Brown sugar
A touch of sweetness rounds out the bold flavors of the curry.

Cilantro
Fresh cilantro on top adds a fresh, herbal finish.

How To Make the One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter

Step 1: Sear the Salmon

Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the salmon and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Curry Sauce

In the same skillet, lower the heat and add a bit more oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the red curry paste and cook for another minute to bloom the spices. Add the coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Return the Salmon

Nestle the seared salmon fillets back into the sauce. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Drizzle

While the salmon finishes, melt butter in a small pan and add a couple of minced garlic cloves. Cook gently until the garlic is golden and fragrant.

Step 5: Serve

Drizzle the garlic butter over the salmon and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roasted veggies.

Serving and Storing This One-Pan Salmon

This recipe feeds about 4 people generously and pairs beautifully with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. If you have leftovers, they store well in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat to avoid drying out the salmon or curdling the coconut milk.

To meal prep, you can make the curry sauce a day in advance and just cook the salmon fresh when ready to eat. The flavors only get better the next day!

What to Serve With One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon?

Jasmine Rice

Soft and lightly fragrant, jasmine rice is the perfect base to soak up all that rich, coconutty sauce.

Garlic Naan

Warm and buttery, naan is ideal for swiping through every last bit of curry.

Roasted Broccoli

A simple veggie side that adds texture and a bit of char to contrast the creamy sauce.

Cucumber Salad

Cool and crisp, it balances the warm flavors with a refreshing crunch.

Quinoa Pilaf

Nutty and wholesome, quinoa makes this meal even more satisfying.

Mango Chutney

A sweet and spicy condiment that plays nicely with the savory curry notes.

Pickled Red Onions

Their tang and crunch make a beautiful topping or side.

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

For a low-carb twist, this keeps the tropical flavors going without the extra starch.

Want More Salmon Ideas with a Twist?

If this One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon got your taste buds dancing, you might love these other flavorful seafood dishes too:

• Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe
• Pan-Fried Salmon with Garlic Butter Sauce
• Irresistible Grilled Salmon with the Best Salmon Seasoning

These recipes are packed with flavor and cook up in no time, just like our curry salmon.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it anytime.

And if you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Did you add veggies? Amp up the heat? Share your tweaks in the comments below.

Explore more beautiful and healthy dinner ideas on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your next delicious obsession.

Conclusion

This One-Pan Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter is a flavorful escape in under 30 minutes. It’s quick, cozy, and irresistibly rich, making it perfect for weeknight comfort or dinner guests. One pan, big flavor, minimal effort—your kitchen is about to smell amazing.