Taste the World
Goan Fish Curry Recipe
Last updated: May 2026
Goan fish curry is inspired by India's west coast, where seafood, coconut and spice come together in coastal cooking. This version uses accessible white fish and supermarket ingredients.
Recipe Summary
- Prep time
- 15 minutes
- Cook time
- 25 minutes
- Total time
- 40 minutes
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated cost
- £9-£14
- Cuisine
- Indian
- Inspired by
- Goa holidays and coastal Indian cooking
Ingredients
- 500g white fish fillets, cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp mild chilli powder
- 400ml coconut milk
- 150g tinned tomatoes or passata
- Juice of 1 lime
- Rice and coriander, to serve
Method
- 1
Pat the fish dry and season lightly with salt.
- 2
Heat oil in a pan and cook onion until soft.
- 3
Add garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander and chilli powder, then cook for 1 minute.
- 4
Add coconut milk and tomatoes, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- 5
Add the fish and simmer gently for 6-8 minutes until just cooked.
- 6
Finish with lime juice and serve with rice.
Easy UK & European Ingredient Swaps
| Ingredient | Easy swap |
|---|---|
| Fresh curry leaves | Dried curry leaves or omit if unavailable |
| Kokum | Lime juice or a small splash of tamarind |
| Fresh coconut | Tinned coconut milk |
| Kashmiri chilli powder | Mild chilli powder with paprika |
Budget Cooking Tips
- Use frozen white fish fillets to lower the cost.
- Do not overcook the fish; gentle simmering prevents waste.
- Serve with rice to make the curry go further.
- Use coconut milk from the world-food aisle if it is cheaper than branded tins.
Plan the Holiday Behind This Dish
Goan fish curry is linked to India's west coast, where seafood, coconut and spice shape coastal meals. Dedicated Goa pages are not live yet, so the links below point to confirmed Asia and long-haul BudgetHolidayHub guides for now.
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Cook this recipeFAQs
What fish works best for Goan fish curry?
Use firm white fish such as cod, haddock, pollock or basa. Frozen fillets are fine.
Can I make Goan fish curry less spicy?
Yes. Use mild chilli powder and add extra lime at the end for brightness instead of heat.
Can I reheat fish curry?
Yes, but reheat it gently to avoid breaking up or overcooking the fish.