
COURSE:
Dinner, Main Course
Kerala Fish Curry – A Taste of South India
Kerala Fish Curry, also known as Meen Curry, is a traditional South Indian dish that hails from the beautiful coastal state of Kerala. Known for its rich culinary heritage, Kerala offers a wide range of seafood delicacies, and this fish curry is one of the most beloved. With its tangy, spicy flavours and aromatic spices, it captures the essence of the region’s cuisine. What makes Kerala Fish Curry so special is its balance of bold ingredients like tamarind, curry leaves, and coconut, which combine to create a dish that is both comforting and flavourful.
This vibrant curry is often made using fresh fish such as kingfish, mackerel, or sardines, though it can be prepared with a variety of fish depending on availability. The base of the curry is typically enriched with a blend of spices, including turmeric, chilli powder, and fenugreek, all tempered with aromatic curry leaves. Tamarind or kokum provides the signature tang, while coconut milk softens the heat and adds a creamy texture, giving the curry its unique taste profile.
One of the best things about Kerala Fish Curry is its versatility. It can be enjoyed with steamed rice, appam (rice pancakes), or even roti, making it a versatile dish that can be a comforting weekday meal or a more elaborate feast. For those who love experimenting with authentic Indian flavours, this dish offers a wonderful introduction to the vibrant cuisine of Kerala. With the Instant Pot, you can create this traditional dish with ease, locking in all the rich flavours in less time. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to Indian cuisine, Kerala Fish Curry is a must-try for its exquisite taste and satisfying simplicity.
Kerala Fish Curry
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Servings:
4
Product:
Instant Pot Multi-Cooker
Ingredients
For the fish & marinade:
- 400g skinless firm white fish (cod, sea bass, hake etc)
- 200g Fresh prawns, deveined, shells removed
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For the Curry Base:
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 2 sprigs fresh curry leaves
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
- 1 large red onion, roughly diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 ½ tsp Kashmiri chili powder (adjust for heat preference)
- 250ml water or diluted coconut milk
- 1 tin coconut milk
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ lemon
For the rice:
- ¾ cup rice
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Lightly season the fish with a pinch of salt, before combining it with the marinade ingredients.
- Set aside for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the curry base.
- Grate the ginger and garlic, roughly dice the onion and quarter the tomatoes. Set the instant pot to saute on medium heat.
- Once hot, add the coconut oil and curry leaves and let them sizzle briefly to release their aroma. Add the minced ginger, garlic, and slit green chilies, stirring occasionally, and cook until the garlic starts to turn soft and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring often, until they soften but do not brown, approximately 3 minutes. The goal is to make them translucent and tender (turn the heat down if they start to brown). Then, stir in the tomato wedges and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their juices.
- Sprinkle in the turmeric powder and chili powder. Stir the spices through the onion-tomato mixture for about 30 seconds, allowing the flavours to develop.
- Add 1 cup of water to the pan and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Place a long-legged trivet into the pot, and place a suitably sized bowl on top (allow space for closing the lid, and ensure space around the sides of the bowl).
- Add the rice to the bowl along with water and a pinch of salt. Ensure the rice is submerged, then secure the lids, cancel sauté, select pressure cook, set the time to 3 minutes and close the lid.
- Once the pressure cooking cycle comes to an end allow the rice to rest in the pot and the pressure to naturally release for 6 minutes.
- Release the pressure and open the Instant Pot. Remove the bowl with the rice, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Gently slide the fish steaks and prawns into the pan, submerging them in the sauce. Simmer the fish on low for 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, turning them once if needed.
- Pour in the fresh coconut milk, stirring gently to combine. Let the curry come to a simmer on low heat to ensure the coconut milk doesn’t boil (to avoid curdling).
- Stir in the lime juice to balance the richness of the coconut milk. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed. Turn off the heat, then allow the curry to rest off the heat for 10-15 minutes for the flavours to meld.
- Check the fish is cooked through. Serve the fish curry hot alongside steamed basmati rice for an authentic Kerala-style meal.

Kerala Fish Curry
COURSE:
Dinner, Main Course
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Servings:
4
Product:
Instant Pot Multi-Cooker
Ingredients
For the fish & marinade:
- 400g skinless firm white fish (cod, sea bass, hake etc)
- 200g Fresh prawns, deveined, shells removed
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For the Curry Base:
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 2 sprigs fresh curry leaves
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
- 1 large red onion, roughly diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 ½ tsp Kashmiri chili powder (adjust for heat preference)
- 250ml water or diluted coconut milk
- 1 tin coconut milk
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ lemon
For the rice:
- ¾ cup rice
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Lightly season the fish with a pinch of salt, before combining it with the marinade ingredients.
- Set aside for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the curry base.
- Grate the ginger and garlic, roughly dice the onion and quarter the tomatoes. Set the instant pot to saute on medium heat.
- Once hot, add the coconut oil and curry leaves and let them sizzle briefly to release their aroma. Add the minced ginger, garlic, and slit green chilies, stirring occasionally, and cook until the garlic starts to turn soft and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring often, until they soften but do not brown, approximately 3 minutes. The goal is to make them translucent and tender (turn the heat down if they start to brown). Then, stir in the tomato wedges and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their juices.
- Sprinkle in the turmeric powder and chili powder. Stir the spices through the onion-tomato mixture for about 30 seconds, allowing the flavours to develop.
- Add 1 cup of water to the pan and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Place a long-legged trivet into the pot, and place a suitably sized bowl on top (allow space for closing the lid, and ensure space around the sides of the bowl).
- Add the rice to the bowl along with water and a pinch of salt. Ensure the rice is submerged, then secure the lids, cancel sauté, select pressure cook, set the time to 3 minutes and close the lid.
- Once the pressure cooking cycle comes to an end allow the rice to rest in the pot and the pressure to naturally release for 6 minutes.
- Release the pressure and open the Instant Pot. Remove the bowl with the rice, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Gently slide the fish steaks and prawns into the pan, submerging them in the sauce. Simmer the fish on low for 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, turning them once if needed.
- Pour in the fresh coconut milk, stirring gently to combine. Let the curry come to a simmer on low heat to ensure the coconut milk doesn’t boil (to avoid curdling).
- Stir in the lime juice to balance the richness of the coconut milk. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed. Turn off the heat, then allow the curry to rest off the heat for 10-15 minutes for the flavours to meld.
- Check the fish is cooked through. Serve the fish curry hot alongside steamed basmati rice for an authentic Kerala-style meal.
Kerala Fish Curry – A Taste of South India
Kerala Fish Curry, also known as Meen Curry, is a traditional South Indian dish that hails from the beautiful coastal state of Kerala. Known for its rich culinary heritage, Kerala offers a wide range of seafood delicacies, and this fish curry is one of the most beloved. With its tangy, spicy flavours and aromatic spices, it captures the essence of the region’s cuisine. What makes Kerala Fish Curry so special is its balance of bold ingredients like tamarind, curry leaves, and coconut, which combine to create a dish that is both comforting and flavourful.
This vibrant curry is often made using fresh fish such as kingfish, mackerel, or sardines, though it can be prepared with a variety of fish depending on availability. The base of the curry is typically enriched with a blend of spices, including turmeric, chilli powder, and fenugreek, all tempered with aromatic curry leaves. Tamarind or kokum provides the signature tang, while coconut milk softens the heat and adds a creamy texture, giving the curry its unique taste profile.
One of the best things about Kerala Fish Curry is its versatility. It can be enjoyed with steamed rice, appam (rice pancakes), or even roti, making it a versatile dish that can be a comforting weekday meal or a more elaborate feast. For those who love experimenting with authentic Indian flavours, this dish offers a wonderful introduction to the vibrant cuisine of Kerala. With the Instant Pot, you can create this traditional dish with ease, locking in all the rich flavours in less time. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to Indian cuisine, Kerala Fish Curry is a must-try for its exquisite taste and satisfying simplicity.

