This one pan creamy harissa salmon in a flavorful coconut lime sauce is the perfect healthy yet quick and easy weeknight dinner.
My obsession with harissa is real. Especially harissa mixed with coconut milk/cream! It’s such a flavor bomb. The creamy coconut milk balances out the spices in harissa so nicely. Needless to say, I’m hooked on this combination.
Other harissa recipes:
Baked or air fried harissa chicken meatballs
Harissa tahini paste and dipping sauce
You can find harissa paste in most grocery stores. I get mine at Trader Joe’s – shocker, I know. But, you can also get it on Amazon. This one has great reviews. Note, a little goes a long way. Hence why my recipe only calls for 1 tbsp. However, you can taste your sauce before serving and if you think it needs more, add more! To clarify, not all harissa pastes are created equal so this is something you can adjust with taste.
I’ve been eating more salmon since Butcher Box carries it! Their salmon is wild caught from Alaska. I find it hard to find affordable yet good quality salmon so this works for me. Salmon is so good for you. Most importantly, it’s so delicious when you add the right flavors!
What you’ll need for this recipe:
Salmon filets
Cooking oil; avocado or olive
Paprika, garlic powder and cumin
Coconut cream from a can
Lime juice and zest
Harissa paste
Fresh ginger
And of course some salt!
When it comes to making salmon, I almost always bake mine. However, for this recipe I cooked it in the skillet. I wanted it to be an easy one pan meal. But, feel free to bake your salmon and then coat in the sauce if you prefer the baking method. I bake mine at 400 degrees F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 15-17 minutes. My Thai curry salmon dish is baked and so delicious!
PrintCreamy Harissa Salmon
Ingredients
Salmon
3 salmon filets, about 6 oz. each
1.5 tbsp olive or avocado oil
1 tsp paprika
salt to taste
Creamy harissa sauce
3/4 cup coconut cream from a can, make sure to get the thick part on the top
juice and zest of 1/2 a lime
1 tbsp harissa paste, can add a bit more to taste
1 tsp grated ginger
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin, or more to taste
salt to taste
1 tbsp sliced green onion, optional
Instructions
Prepare your sauce by combining coconut cream, salt, harissa paste, ginger, garlic powder and cumin in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
Season salmon filets with paprika and salt.
Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat.
Place salmon filets flesh side down in the skillet once it’s heated.
Let cook for 4 minutes, then gently flip.
Let cook about 2 more minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low and pour sauce in the skillet with the salmon.
Let cook 2-3 more minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakey. Use a spoon to keep mixing the sauce and pour some on the salmon so it absorbs the flavors.
Right before removing from heat add the lime juice and zest.
If adding sliced green onion, top it over salmon.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Jade
This recipe was amazing, so easy and delicious!
Sarah
I absolutely love this recipe! The creamy harissa sauce is so good i just want to put it on everything! Thanks for another delicious recipe mandi.
ariella
This is a regular in our house! and a favorite of my husband’s. Thanks for a quick and delicious weeknight win 🙂
KaRa
Omg is this goOd! I DEFINITELY tripled the harissa and instead of green onions, added some basil in the final minute of simmering. Paired eith rice and green Beans (that were also amazing in the sauce). Will make this again.
Lisa
First time making this dish. It was easy and delicious. Served it with coconut lime rice and broccoli. I would definitely triple the harissa next time. I topped it with cilantro and green onions. Adding this to our menu choices! Thank you.