Thai Red Curry Salmon with a Chilli Glow

Silken salmon fillets are gently bathed in a luxurious Thai red curry—an aromatic blend of coconut milk, warming spices, and fresh herbs that unfolds with every bite.
★★★★☆ 4.3 from 3 ratings
Prep10 mins
Cook15 mins
Total25 mins
Serves4
Energy kcal

The recipe

Method

  1. Warm the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Lay in the salmon fillets, skin-side down where applicable, and allow them to colour gently for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden. Turn with care and cook for a further 2–3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat slightly and add the Thai red curry paste to the same pan. Stir briefly for around a minute, allowing the paste to release its fragrance and deepen in flavour.
  3. Pour in the coconut milk and stock, followed by the fish sauce and brown sugar. Stir until smooth, then bring to a soft, steady simmer.
  4. Return the salmon to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon the curry over the fillets and allow them to gently cook for around 5 minutes, until tender and just flaking.
  5. Spoon the salmon and its silky curry over warm jasmine rice, ensuring each portion is generously coated in sauce.
  6. Finish with sliced red chilli, fresh Thai basil, and coriander. Serve with lime wedges on the side for a bright, citrus lift just before eating.

A few details make all the difference

01

Cook the Salmon Gently First

Why: A gentle sear creates colour and flavour while keeping the salmon moist before it finishes cooking in the curry sauce.

02

Fry the Curry Paste Before Adding Liquids

Why: Briefly cooking the curry paste releases its aromatic oils and deepens the overall flavour of the sauce.

03

Return the Salmon and Finish in the Sauce

Why: Simmering the salmon in the coconut curry keeps it tender while allowing it to absorb the fragrant flavours.

Why this recipe works

Effortless by nature yet indulgent in spirit, this dish comes together with surprising ease. The salmon absorbs the fragrant curry beautifully, creating a depth of flavour that feels far more complex than the method suggests. Served over a bed of soft, steamed rice, it’s a dish that captures both comfort and quiet elegance in equal measure.

Cook’s notes

Red or Green

If Thai red curry paste proves elusive, green curry paste offers a suitable alternative, lending a slightly fresher, more herbaceous note to the dish. For a more bespoke approach, you may craft a simple substitute using chilli powder, garlic, fresh ginger, and a touch of cumin. While not entirely traditional, it delivers a warmly spiced profile that echoes the essence of the original.

Build the perfect bowl

  • Fresh salmon
  • Hot red curry paste
  • Coconut milk
  • Fluffy rice

Made this recipe?

Rate this dish to help other cooks.

Current rating: 4.3 from 3 ratings

Cooking mode

Thai Red Curry Salmon with a Chilli Glow

Warm the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Lay in the salmon fillets, skin-side down where applicable, and allow them to colour gently for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden. Turn with care and cook for a further 2–3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Reduce the heat slightly and add the Thai red curry paste to the same pan. Stir briefly for around a minute, allowing the paste to release its fragrance and deepen in flavour.
Pour in the coconut milk and stock, followed by the fish sauce and brown sugar. Stir until smooth, then bring to a soft, steady simmer.
Return the salmon to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon the curry over the fillets and allow them to gently cook for around 5 minutes, until tender and just flaking.
Spoon the salmon and its silky curry over warm jasmine rice, ensuring each portion is generously coated in sauce.
Finish with sliced red chilli, fresh Thai basil, and coriander. Serve with lime wedges on the side for a bright, citrus lift just before eating.
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