Curry Fish – spicy, savory fish meal simmered in aromatic spices and herbs with coconut milk and homemade curry powder. An extremely delicious weeknight meal just in time for the Lenten season.
Now that we’re officially in the month of March, I’ve been adding great menu items for the Lenten season that could also double up as a simple yet great weeknight meal for the whole family.
Since I’m on a fish kick lately (I’m talking about you salmon…yes, you), I decided to take it a notch higher – deep flavors and a handful of spices and herbs. This Curry Fish is definitely the perfect answer to those who want a meal bursting with complex flavors.
Made with my homemade Jamaican Curry Powder here, this dish is the epitome of a simple dish without compromising the flavor. It’s pretty straightforward, no complicated cooking method, but the flavors taste like it has been prepared by a seasoned cook who’ve been laboring in the kitchen for decades. Deceiving, huh?
So what makes this a winning dish? This Curry Fish here is a spin off of this hit Jamaican Curry Shrimp here but with the addition of ginger and a couple of herbs to add depth. I can’t even describe how all the layers of flavors linger in my mouth, and it’s not even overpowering.
If you’re pressed on time, you can use store-bought curry powder, but I highly suggest that you try making my homemade curry powder. You’ll never buy the branded one again and you’ll have people asking what’s your secret weapon. Sounds fair?
Serve this dish warm with rice, and you’ll surely be licking your plate clean. Enjoy!
How To Make Curry Fish
Season fish with, salt, curry powder, white pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic and set aside. You may do this overnight and refrigerate until ready to use.
In a cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot, and then add the fish and brown on both sides – about 3-5 minutes until fish is brown. You may omit this part, if desired. Remove fish and set aside. Drain oil and leave about 2 tablespoons.
Add onions, followed by minced garlic, thyme, curry powder and bay leaf, stir for about 2-3 minutes for the flavors to blossom. Then add tomatoes cook for another 3 minutes.
Pour in coconut milk and water, continue cooking for about 3-5 minutes.
Then throw in hot pepper, if using any, basil leaves ,green onions and smoked paprika. Return fish to the pot with accumulated juice. Bring to a boil, salt and cook for about 10 minutes. Add chopped parsley.
Adjust sauce thickness and seasoning with water or broth. Serve warm.
Watch How To Make It
Curry Fish
Ingredients
Fish Seasoning
- 2-3 pounds (907.18 - 1,360.78 g) fish steak
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) curry powder
- ½ teaspoon (1.40 g) minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon (1.40 g) minced ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Curry Fish Stew
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) canola oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) grated ginger
- 1 teaspoons (0.80 g) fresh minced thyme
- 2-3 tablespoons (12.6 - 18.9 g) curry powder
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 1 tomato diced
- 2 green onions chopped
- ½ -1 cup (113-226 g) coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups (235 - 352.5 g) water or broth more or less
- Hot pepper (Habanero, Scotch Bonnet or Chili Peppers) , Optional
- 3-4 basil leaves
- 1-2 teaspoon (2.1 g) paprika
- ½ red bell/green bell pepper , diced
- 1-2 tablespoon (3.80 - 7.60 g) parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season fish with, salt, curry powder, white pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic and set aside. You may do this overnight and refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a Cast Iron Skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot, and then add the fish and brown on both sides - about 3-5 minutes until fish is brown. You may omit this part, if desired.
- Remove fish and set aside. Drain oil and leave about 2 tablespoons.
- Add onions, followed by minced garlic,ginger, thyme, curry powder and bay leaf, stir for about 2-3 minutes for the flavors to blossom, then add tomatoes cook for another 3 minutes.
- Pour in coconut milk and water, continue cooking for about 3-5 minutes. Then throw in hot pepper, if using any, bell pepper, basil leaves and smoked paprika. Return fish to the pot with accumulated juice. Bring to a boil, salt and cook for about 10 minutes. Add chopped parsley.
- Adjust sauce thickness and seasoning with water or broth.
- Serve warm.
Tips & Notes:
- I used Tilapia steak in the recipe - feel free to switch it out for any white fish - examples include; kingfish, sea bass, cod, Â grouper, haddock, catfish, and red snapper. Fish Steak is preferable
- If you love curry anything, I would urge you to make your own spice blend - It's like night and day- so much flavor in homemade  - feel free to try this Jamaican curry out.
- For my healthy peeps, skip the browning at the beginning.Â
- A cast-iron skillet works best when browning fish- works like a charm, every time. If you can invest in a cast iron, I would say go for it. It's quite affordable too.Â
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Iris says
I loved this recipe! Will definitely make again!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for the feedback.
Anna says
I put this over rice, it was so good. I usually don’t like fish but this one was amazing!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks so much ! Glad it worked out well for you.
Marta Martinez says
Really easy and delicious. Only aded half ofhaaneroand came out perfect. Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! So glad you loved it, Marta!
Larry says
I want to make this what kind of fish did you use.
ImmaculateBites says
Hello Larry.
I used Tilapia steak in the recipe – feel free to switch it out for any white fish – examples include; kingfish, sea bass, cod, grouper, haddock, catfish, and red snapper. Fish Steak is preferable. Happy Cooking!!
Ansar says
This is GooD! VerY.
imma africanbites says
Thank you! So glad to know that you like this.
Candy says
This is absolutely wonderful! I’m so glad I found you.
imma africanbites says
Happy to have you here on the blog, Candy!
Ada says
Thank you so much. Even my husband can eat fish with your recipe!
imma africanbites says
So happy to know that. And thank you for dropping by.
Jackie says
Oh wow!!! Love it love it. I couldn’t find tilapia so I opted for pangasius.
I cooked it as a Sunday lunch and it was a winner
Thank you
imma africanbites says
Awesome! This one here is an absolute keeper.
TB says
This dish was delicious and a HUGE hit with my husband and my son. My son typically does not like fish but when I made this he asked for seconds. Thank you so much for posting! Can’t wait to make this again.
imma africanbites says
Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Lilly says
Wonderful dish! So glad you shared this recipe with us..I overlooked the fish a tad but the flavor overwhelmed the mistake. Everyone truly enjoyed the meal.
Thanks!
imma africanbites says
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Lilly. Glad it turned out well for you! 🙂
Abz says
Hi! I think it needs revisions: bay leaves not included in ingredient list and didn’t say when to use bell pepper. Nonetheless, lovely recipe and thank you. Will let you know the outcome
Abz says
Hi, Also when you use the broth.
ImmaculateBites says
Hey there, it’s been updated to make it clearer. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
saubhik chakrabarti says
Used tuna stock instead of coconut milk and it came out as well
Urban @urbanskitchen.com says
Hmm, I’m here wondering back and forth if I should make this today with my Red Snapper instead of your recent Fricassee dish for which I was gonna use the Red Snapper also. So much deliciousness to be had. Really lovely the dish and making either would be delicious. Good Caribbean style flavored curry makes a huge difference for this I know and surely got allot of that which I luv. And I agree making your own curry is so much better in knowing what your getting in flavor. I’m sure I’ll do the usual and decide which I’ll actually make as I start prepping and chopping something.
Awesome dish Imma!