Make your own Basa Fish Curry from scratch at home, chunks of Basa fish marinated in yoghurt, garlic, chilli, turmeric & ginger.
Then hob cooked in a homemade coconut curry paste. Any white fish, such as Cod, Haddock or Tilapia can be used instead.
Medium spiced Fish Curry recipe has all the great flavours of an Indian Takeaway, however, it has surprisingly low calories & is low fat.
Perfect for both a midweek meal or a weekend fakeaway!
How to make a Basa Fish Curry?
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Basa Fish Curry
Equipment
Ingredients
Basa Fish Marinade
- 500 Grams (1lb) Basa Fish - or prefered firm white fish chopped into large bite-sized peices
- 60 Grams (¼ cup) Natural Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Puree - 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ¼ teaspoon Tumeric
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Puree - 1 chilli pepper chopped finely or minced
- ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- Salt - As required
Curry Paste
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Onions - chopped
- ½ tin Chopped Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon Desiccated Coconut
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Puree - 1 chilli pepper chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon Sundried Tomato Puree - substitute for regular tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Puree - 2 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Garam Masala - or Curry Powder
- 250 ml (1 cup) Water
- 3 Curry Leaves - or bay leaf
Instructions
Marinate fish
- Place all marinade ingredients in a large bowl with the fish and stir together placing to one side.
Create Curry Paste
- Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, fry the onions for 5 mins on medium heat until soft. Add the tin tomatoes for a further 3 mins.
- Remove from pan & place into a large jug adding the desiccated coconut and 1tbsp of water, blend to make a smooth paste, place to one side.
Fish curry
- In the same pan add oil & fry the marinated fish on both sides for 3 mins (6 mins in total) remove from one side leaving the juice in the pan.
- Add the garlic, chilli and sundried tomato puree to the pan with the garam masala and curry leaves, stir together, next add the curry paste we created earlier.
- Finally add 250 ml water and 2 teaspoon sugar and bring to the boil
- Turn heat to medium-low and add back the fish. Simmer for 3- 4 mins until warmed through.
- Sprinkle fresh coriander over the top, and serve with rice.
Video
Nutrition
This post was updated on 07/03/2025, with the recipe card being placed higher on the page for a better user experience.
More info is written on this blog post should you want any extra help?
What fish is suitable for curry?
We use Basa fish as it is a cheap, firm white fish which absorbs the curry flavours well.
If you can't source Basa then opt for Cod or Haddock which are slightly more expensive but also absorb the curry flavouring well.
What to use as a fish marinade?
Create a simple marinade for fish using Garlic Puree, Chilli Puree, Yoghurt, Ginger and Tumeric.
You can crush and mince your own garlic and chillies if preferred?
How long to marinate fish for curry?
Fish does not need to be marinated for long periods of time like meat does. Which makes it perfect when you want a curry in a rush!
Simply create the marinade as your first step and leave it to seep in the flavours, whilst you create the curry paste.
How to create a homemade curry paste?
Create a homemade smooth coconut curry paste, made from simple ingredients.
Fry onions until golden, add chopped tomatoes and cook until softened.
Remove from pan and blend together with desiccated coconut to form a smooth curry paste for later. We use a stick blender to do this.
Add marinated fish to the pan and cook for 6 minutes (3 minutes each side) remove from pan until later.
Keep the juice from the cooked fish in the pan and add Garlic, Chilli & Sundried Tomato Puree, Curry Leaves & Garam Masala.
Add in the curry paste, created earlier, stir all together and finally add the water and sugar. Bring to the boil turn heat to medium and add the fish back to the pan for about 4 minutes
Scatter with coriander once finished cooking and you're ready to serve up.
What to serve with fish curry?
We served our Basa Fish Curry with Coconut Pilau Rice, onion bhaji's, samosas & poppadoms.
We also have onion rice recipe or just plain basmati rice you may like instead?
The fish soaks up the curry flavours perfectly a great dish for any occasion.
Gia Puree Products
A few cheat products used to help speed up prep time, all available from UK supermarkets!
- Gia Garlic Puree - Garlic ready crushed to put into your recipe, 1tsp is equal to 2 garlic cloves. No more stinky fingers, we use it in most recipes that call for crushed garlic!
- Gia Chilli Puree- Chilli peppers ready crushed to add a quick kick to any dish. 1 teaspoon is equal to 1 chilli pepper. No need to chop your own anymore, have you ever rubbed your eyes after chopping Chillies?? It stings, doesn't it! Well, fear no more with this product! Great for Curry dishes!
- Gia Sundried Tomato Puree – Add the richness of sundried tomatoes to any recipe. Blended with oils and herbs, the secret ingredient to any good meal. We often use in place of regular Tomato puree, to add extra richness. You will only need half the amount of this compared to regular puree!
Click here to see more information about the Gia Range of products. We created this recipe for Gia using their products.
We highly recommend them but also give you other options of how to make without them in the recipe card.
Can I freeze Fish curry?
Yes, it can be stored in an airtight container until it is cool enough to put in the freezer. It will keep for 3 months in the freezer.
Defrost fully before warming up in the microwave. The fish may break up more than when it is freshly made!
More Curry Recipes
If you liked this Basa Fish Curry, check some of our other curry recipes. We have chicken balti, pathia or bhuna, prawn masala or a chicken tikka starter.
When you make our recipes please leave us a comment, to let us know how you got on?
Lily says
I love indian food. I would love to attempt to create this basa fish dish!
Kay says
Let us know how you get on 🙂
Grace Jakobsen says
It looks so delicious. I’m a big fan of curries. I love this recipe, it looks so simple. How did make the rice? Will definitely try it soon. Thanks for sharing.
Kay says
We will share the rice soon, it was coconut rice and delicious!!
Alvern Success Unscrambled says
I do love curry, it is a staple meal in my home. As this is a vegetarian household we'll probably try this recipe using the firm tofu instead.
Kay says
Would definitely work with Tofu! We made Tofu noodles last week! I need to write up the recipe and edit the photos still!
Candace Hampton says
Drooling!!! I absolutely love curry, and fish is my preferred meat! This looks simple, healthy, and delicious. Can't wait to try it for myself.
Kay says
Candace, we hope you enjoy it! Much easier then you think and tastes divine!
Cindy Nico says
Loving this recipe. I am going to save it and give it a try.
Kay says
Hey Cindy. Let us know how you get on!
Shilpa Bindlish says
Some of my family members love fish bit i never tasted it. Gonna share this recipe with them to try.
Kay says
Never tried fish? You need to try it! It is lovely!
Jessica Joachim says
I have never had Basa Fish Curry but I love seafood and I love curry. I will definitely be making this one night very soon.
Kay says
Hope you enjoy it Jessica. x
Krysten Quiles says
I've never tried ANY kind of curry but this sounds pretty darn good, may need to try it. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
Kay says
We have curry at least once a week!! lol Give it a go!
Cindy Ingalls says
I've never tried curry with fish. I am so bad with spicy stuff!
Kay says
The fish soaks up the spices perfectly!
Tamara says
That looks delicious! My husband often buys haddock or cod. They can be pricey but some of the other fish we buy is even more so. And like you said, these will absorb the curry well!
Kay says
Hey Tamara, with Curry you don't need expensive fish, as long as it is firm fish that won't flake.
Marie Phillips says
I have had chicken curry, but never fish curry. I would love to try it, since I love fish in many forms.
Kay says
Give it a go, I'm sure you will love it!
Nyxie says
This sounds lovely, although I'm hesitant about fish in a curry. I'm sure it would be beautiful, though, once tried and tested.
Kay says
Not everyone is a fan of fish! You could use chicken/lamb instead!
Tara Pittman says
My husband loves curry. This is a recipe that I need to make for him.
Kay says
Valentines Day coming up! Suprise him 😉
Cristina Petrini says
Here are the recipes I love: ethnic, spicy and tasty. Never tried to cook fish like this, it will be interesting!
Kay says
Fish soaks up curry spices perfectly!
Jeffrey hayward says
Looks nice,olive oil in Indian?I'd use haddock,cod,due to where basa comes from.
Amber Myers says
This would be a tasty meal. I've always liked food with a kick. I'm sure my family would enjoy this.
Kay says
Hope you all enjoy it Amber x
Beth says
I love fish curry, and I can almost smell how good this one is from here. And I'd be thrilled to see your other recipes ... I love samosas!
Kay says
Thank you Beth, we have so many recipes lined up, we need to get on with the write-ups for them!!