Zanzibar-Style Spiced Fish Curry

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

A rich and aromatic fish curry inspired by the coastal flavors of Zanzibar, featuring fragrant spices and creamy coconut milk. This African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb white fish fillets (tilapia or snapper), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and golden.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 small cinnamon stick. Cook the spice mixture for 3 minutes, stirring constantly until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 1/2 cups coconut milk and 1/2 cup water, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb white fish pieces and 1 tsp salt to the curry. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, gently stirring once halfway, until fish is opaque and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread.