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Green Curry Salmon

Homemade green curry is easier than you think! And, bonus, this green curry salmon recipe is also just about as healthy—and Whole30-friendly—as can be.

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four salmon filets in a cast iron skillet w with lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

Coconut Curry Salmon: Healthy, Fast, Simple

This salmon curry recipe hits the spot. Salmon is loaded with fatty acids (brain food), and the curry is full of gorgeous spicy thai flavors, bright herbs, and a creamy, coconut broth. You can serve the green curry salmon over a bed of cauliflower rice if you want to keep it fully Whole30 compliant, or serve with simple steamed rice—brown or white—if you’re not worried about carbs. And if salmon isn’t your thing, you can even make this green curry recipe using a white fish, like halibut or sea bass. In other words, take our green curry salmon recipe and feel free to make it your own—be adventures and for goodness sake make your healthy food delicious!

four salmon filets in a cast iron skillet w with lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

Ingredient Spotlight: Green Curry Paste

Yes, in a perfect world where you have nothing but time and access to a super-stocked globally-influenced pantry and fridge, you’d make green curry paste from scratch. Unfortunately, that’s just not the world we live in (if you do live in that world, can you give us all your tips, please?). Fortunately, for the rest of us, there is store-bought green curry paste. Thai green curry (kaeng khiao wan) is a glorious balance of chili pepper heat and cooling creamy coconut milk that the spicy, fragrant paste is mixed with to make a coconut curry broth. In order for your green curry salmon to be delicious, it does matter which green curry paste you use—some brands are just better than others. We really love this brand and this brand, but if you’ve got your own favorite, feel free to use it!

four salmon filets in a cast iron skillet w with lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

What’s In Green Curry Salmon?

You know that you’ll need salmon—four skinned salmon filets—and green curry paste. But what else? Not much! Here’s everything you’ll need to make green curry salmon:

  • Coconut milk
  • Green curry paste
  • Lime
  • Ginger
  • Fish sauce
  • Sweet onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Scallions
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Red pepper flakes
a salmon filets in a bowl with rice, lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

How To Make Green Curry Salmon

If you’ve never made green curry at home before, you’ll be astounded by how easy it really is.

  1. Warm the green curry paste and coconut milk, whisking to combine.
  2. Pour in lime juice, ginger, fish sauce, onions and peppers and simmer.
  3. Gently lay salmon—seasoned with salt and pepper—into the simmering curry.
  4. Transfer the pan to the oven to cook for another 10 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through (but not overcooked).
  5. Serve piping hot, over rice or cauliflower rice.
four salmon filets in a cast iron skillet w with lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce
a salmon filets in a bowl with rice, lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

Tools You’ll Need:

More Coconut Curry Recipes

Winter is coconut curry time—it’s creamy, warming and so healthy. We can’t get enough!

a salmon filets in a bowl with rice, lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce
a salmon filets in a bowl with rice, lime, red bell peppers, cilantro and  green curry sauce

To Your Health!

It can be hard to keep up with healthy eating goals in winter, when the weather is dreary and the sky is dark by 4pm. But recipes like this keep us on track, and we hope they help you, too! Try this easy salmon curry, and let us know how you like it, OK? Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!

Green Curry Salmon

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories: 348

Ingredients

  • 4 (4 oz) salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 (13.5 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp green curry paste
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tsp brown sugar, optional
  • 1 small sweet onion thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored, thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored, thinly sliced
  • 3-4 green onions, light and dark green parts
  • fresh cilantro

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper and set aside.
  3. In an ovenproof skillet whisk curry paste into coconut milk over medium heat until fully combined. Add in lime juice, ginger, fish sauce and brown sugar along with onions and peppers. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
  4. Set prepared salmon into the curry mixture and transfer pan to oven. Allow to cook for 10-12 minutes until salmon is just cooked through.
  5. Serve over cauliflower rice topped with cilantro and green onions.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories348
  • Protein35 g
  • Carbohydrates24 g
  • Total Fat12 g
  • Dietary Fiber9 g
  • Cholesterol65 mg
  • sodium746 mg
  • Total Sugars10 g

Green Curry Salmon

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Jacky Saleh

    Can this be frozen? Would you make sauce and leave salmon raw and freeze like that? Defrost before you cook?
    Thanks

    Freeze the sauce and salmon separately so you don't run the risk of overcooking your salmon once reheating. Hope you enjoy Jacky!

  • Catherine hall

    What brand do you recommend for the green curry paste? For some reason I'm not seeing the name and while it looks like there should be a hyperlink I'm not showing it linked properly

    I always use Mae Ploy.

  • Hannah

    This was so delicious… and healthy! Came together quickly. I used a little extra curry paste and was perfect.

    Thanks Hannah, so glad you loved it!

  • Stacy B

    I have made this recipe countless times. Very easy and so flavorful!

    Thanks so much Stacy, we are so happy you love it and have made it so many times!

  • Jeannie M

    I’ve made this twice and LOVED it both times. I made it with salmon once and cobia once and both were delicious. I seared the fish before adding to the coconut milk mixture just for more flavor. Also added some red pepper flakes for more kick. This will be in the rotation for a while!

    Thanks Jeannie! We love to hear it's going in rotation! We are so happy you love it!

  • jenn

    By far, the most delicious salmon recipe I've ever made!

    Yay, that is so great! Glad you loved it!