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Coconut Fish Curry

Coconut Fish Curry is a rich, fragrant curry dish where fresh fish is cooked in a rich, creamy coconut milk sauce with red curry paste, warm spices and fresh vegetables. This fish curry recipe cooks in 15 minutes making it an easy, healthy weeknight meal.

Coconut Fish Curry in a skillet with a spoon

COCONUT FISH CURRY

Growing up I was not a fan of fish.

I wish I would have been because I know I missed out on a lot of really delicious seafood dishes.

My family lived in Portland, Maine for a few years when I was younger and I remember my parents eating all kinds of fish dishes from lobster, to shrimp pasta, to scallops.

As I became an adult I started to enjoy fish, especially fish recipes that use a rich, flavorful sauce.

Today’s Coconut Fish Curry recipe is one that I especially grew to love because the warm spices and red curry paste paired with the sweet coconut milk make for the best sauce pairing with white fish.

One of my favorite things about this fish curry recipe is that it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. You can’t beat that!

I also think the leftovers are even better the second or third day when all of the flavors meld together.

If you enjoy curry dishes try my Sweet Potato Lentil Curry, Curry Meatballs, Easy Green Curry Chicken, Thai Vegetable Green Curry, and Pumpkin Curry. These are all fairly easy and healthy options.

Why You Will Love This Coconut Fish Curry Recipe

Easy to Make: This has to be one of the easiest curries in my repertoire. The whole dish can be prepared and cooked in just 15 minutes, making it the ideal family dinner any night of the week.

Make Ahead: This delicious recipe is a great make ahead dish, cook earlier in the day, or the day before and heat up when you are ready to eat. As is the case with most curries, I think the leftovers tastes better after a day or two when the flavors sit and meld together.

Double the Recipe: This recipe can be doubled up if you are feeding a larger group. It also makes nice leftovers if you want to double the recipe and eat it throughout the week.

Coconut Fish Curry recipe ingredients

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Fish – I use a light white fish filet in this recipe, tilapia or cod would be great choices.
  • Vegetables – this recipe uses onion, red bell pepper and fresh cherry tomatoes or diced fresh tomatoes. You can use canned diced tomatoes if you don’t have fresh tomatoes.
  • Garlic – for the best flavor I like to use fresh garlic, but garlic puree or frozen garlic are good substitutes in a pinch.
  • Cilantro – freshly chopped cilantro is added to the curry sauce and I like to add extra to garnish for serving. This isn’t necessary but I do like cilantro paired with it.
  • Thai curry paste – I have used a Thai red curry paste in this recipe.
  • Ground spices – I use a combination of ground spices in this curry sauce including turmeric, coriander and cumin. I love the warm flavors these three spices make when mixed together.
  • Ginger – for the best flavor I like to use freshly grated ginger, but pureed or ground ginger can be used if you can’t find fresh.
  • Lemon – I use the juice of half of a lemon to freshen and balance the acidity in the curry sauce.
  • Coconut milk – I add a can of full fat coconut milk to give this coconut curry a lovely creamy texture.
Coconut Fish Curry in skillet with spoon

How to Make this Thai Coconut Fish Curry Recipe

1. Prepare the fish: cut the fish fillets into 2 inch pieces and season the fish pieces with the salt and pepper. Set aside.

Coconut Fish Curry raw fish in a white bowl

2. Sauté the vegetables: heat a large pan with the olive oil on medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic and red bell pepper and sauté for 2 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes: add the diced tomatoes and cilantro. Cook for 3 minutes.

Coconut Fish Curry vegetables in a skillet

4. Add the spices: stir in the curry paste, turmeric powder, coriander, cumin, ginger, coconut milk and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Coconut Fish Curry in a black skillet

5. Add the fish: when simmering, add fish carefully in it. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5 minutes.

6. Garnish the curry and serve: remove from the heat garnish with more cilantro and serve the curry with rice.

Coconut Fish Curry in a bowl

Recipe Modifications for this Easy Fish Curry

  • Fish: this curry is made with white fish filets, like tilapia or cod. However, you could also use the same recipe and swap white fish for salmon or even some shrimp. Just ensure you adjust cooking times accordingly.
  • Thai curry paste: I have used Thai red curry paste but you could swap this for Thai red, green or yellow curry paste if you prefer. I really like the red curry paste in this recipe in particular!
  • Spices: you can use other spices in this recipe. Some good ones are red chili powder, oregano, curry powder, paprika or Italian seasoning.
  • Vegetables: I’ve used onion, red bell peppers and tomatoes in this recipe, but you can add in extra veggies if you wish. Some I like are mushrooms, broccoli florets, eggplant, bok choy, carrots, zucchini, or green beans.
  • Citrus: adding lime juice helps to balance out the flavors and adds a touch of citrus flavor. I suggest adding half of a lime, juiced.
  • Leafy greens: greens, like spinach, are such a nice addition. You could also use kale or swiss chard. 
  • Coconut milk: this recipe uses full-fat coconut milk but you can use light coconut milk. Just keep in mind that it will make the curry thinner than if you use full fat coconut milk.
Coconut Fish Curry in a skillet

Recipe Tips

  • Sautéing the vegetables: this is a light and aromatic curry, so make sure not to brown the vegetables too much, only give them a light sauté so you keep all that fresh flavor and make sure the vegetables stay slightly crisp and not mushy.
  • Cooking the fish: cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the fish filet, so make sure not to overcook the fish. Only poach in the curry until just cooked through then remove from the heat.
  • Adjusting the chili heat: the heat of this curry can be adjusted using the Thai curry paste. Add more if you like a spicy curry, add less if you like your curries on the milder side. You also can add chopped jalapeños, crushed red pepper or cayenne red pepper.

Storage Instructions:

  • Leftovers: leftover curry can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: to reheat leftovers place into a pot and warm up gently to piping hot on the stove, taking care not to overcook the fish, only warm it up. Add a splash of broth or water if the curry look too dry.
  • Freeze: once cooked and cooled, place the curry into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight and warm up on the stove when ready to enjoy.
Coconut Fish Curry in a large skillet

What to Serve with Fish Curry

Serve this delicious curry with some steamed white rice, my Coconut Rice Salad, or Instant Pot Fried Rice.

Bread is always a great choice for dipping into the curry sauce, try my Easy Homemade Naan, Air Fryer Pita Chips, or my Homemade Baked Pita Chips.

I like adding salads alongside curry, try my Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts, or this Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing. Or for a vegetable side option try my Lebanese Green BeansTurmeric Roasted Cauliflower, or this Simple Roasted Broccoli dish. 

Other Curry Recipes You Might Like:

CHICKPEAS WITH CURRY

CAULIFLOWER CURRY

CURRY MEATBALLS

EASY EGGPLANT CURRY

EASY SHRIMP CURRY

RED LENTIL CURRY

SLOW COOKER BEEF CURRY

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CURRY

Coconut Fish Curry 1200 x 1200

Coconut Fish Curry

Coconut Fish Curry is a rich, fragrant curry dish where fresh fish is cooked in a rich, creamy coconut milk sauce with red curry paste, warm spices and fresh vegetables. This fish curry recipe cooks in 15 minutes making it an easy, healthy weeknight meal.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: best thai coconut fish curry, coconut fish curry, easy Thai coconut fish curry, Thai fish curry, Thai fish curry with coconut milk
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb white fish filet, { like tilapia or cod}
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into large chunks
  • 2 large tomatoes, diced {or use 1 cup diced tomatoes}
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus extra to garnish
  • 3 tablespoons Thai curry paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger, {or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger}
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 15 oz can coconut milk

Instructions

  • Cut the fish filet into 2 inch pieces and season with the salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Heat a large pan with the olive oil on medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and red bell pepper and sauté for 2 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and cilantro. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the curry paste, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, coconut milk and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
  • When simmering, add fish carefully in it. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat garnish with more cilantro and serve the curry with rice.

Notes

  • Sautéing the vegetables: this is a light and aromatic curry, so make sure not to brown the vegetables too much, only give them a light sauté so you keep all that fresh flavor and make sure the vegetables stay slightly crisp and not mushy.
  • Cooking the fish: cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the fish filet, so make sure not to overcook the fish. Only poach in the curry until just cooked through then remove from the heat.
  • Adjusting the chili heat: the heat of this curry can be adjusted using the Thai curry paste. Add more if you like a spicy curry, add less if you like your curries on the milder side. You also can add chopped jalapeños, crushed red pepper or cayenne red pepper.
  • Leftovers: leftover curry can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: to reheat leftovers place into a pot and warm up gently to piping hot on the stove, taking care not to overcook the fish, only warm it up. Add a splash of broth or water if the curry look too dry.
  • Freeze: once cooked and cooled, place the curry into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight and warm up on the stove when ready to enjoy.
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