Description
Butter Salmon Curry is a rich and creamy skillet meal made with tender salmon fillets simmered in a spiced tomato butter sauce. This dish combines warm curry spices, garlic, ginger, and cream to create a comforting and flavorful dinner that feels restaurant quality yet is easy to prepare at home. Perfect for weeknight meals or relaxed gatherings, it pairs beautifully with rice or flatbread and delivers bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Skinless salmon fillets
Salt
Black pepper
Sweet paprika
Vegetable oil
Unsalted butter
Garlic cloves
Shallot
Fresh grated ginger
Ground cumin
Curry powder
Cayenne pepper
Ground turmeric
Ground coriander
Vegetable broth or water
Garam masala paste
Tomato paste
Crushed tomatoes
Cream with twenty percent fat
Fresh lemon juice
Crushed chili flakes
Toasted cashews
Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly and season evenly with salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika.
Heat vegetable oil and part of the butter in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat until melted and hot.
Place the salmon in the skillet and sear gently until golden on both sides, then remove and set aside.
Lower the heat and add remaining butter along with garlic, shallot, and ginger, cooking slowly until softened and fragrant.
Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, curry powder, and cayenne, allowing the spices to bloom gently.
Pour in vegetable broth and stir well while scraping the skillet to release the browned bits.
Mix in garam masala paste and tomato paste until fully combined with the aromatics.
Add crushed tomatoes and cream, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and cohesive.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and adjust seasoning to taste.
Return the salmon to the skillet, spoon sauce over the fillets, and add lemon juice.
Simmer gently until the salmon is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and finish with toasted cashews, fresh cilantro, chili flakes, and black pepper before serving.
Notes
Use salmon fillets of similar thickness to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
Cooking the aromatics slowly prevents bitterness and keeps the sauce well balanced.
Adjust cayenne pepper and chili flakes to control the spice level according to preference.
Cream with moderate fat content keeps the sauce rich without being heavy.
Fresh lemon juice added at the end brightens the entire curry and balances the tomato base.
Allow the curry to rest briefly before serving so the sauce thickens naturally.
Leftovers store well and often taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian Inspired