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Homemade Coconut Milk

May 16, 2011 By 36 Comments

health benefits of coconut oil Homemade Coconut Milk

Coconut Milk is a wonderful alternative to pasteurized cow’s milk or to rice, soy or other processed milks. Unfortunately, the cans of most store bought versions of coconut milk are lined with BPA. New refrigerated carton varieties are somewhat better, but can be expensive and many have added sweeteners or preservatives.

Fortunately, making coconut milk at home is simple and very inexpensive. From my calculations, homemade coconut milk costs less than $1 per batch, and it can be used in smoothies, recipes or just to drink. It can also be flavored with natural vanilla, strawberries or cocoa powder.

Coconut is packed with medium chain fatty acids and lauric acid. It has many health promoting benefits and is especially good for kids. Try this inexpensive way to make coconut milk:

Homemade Coconut Milk Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of water
  • 1.5-2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut

How To Make Coconut Milk

  1. Heat water, but don’t boil. It should be hot, but not scalding.
  2. Put coconut in blender or Vitamix  and add water. (If all water won’t fit, you can add the water in two batches.)
  3. Blend on high for several minutes until thick and creamy.
  4. Pour through a mesh colander first to get most of the coconut out, and then squeeze through a towel or several thicknesses of cheesecloth to get remaining pieces of coconut out.
  5. If you have to split the water, put all the coconut that you strained out back in the blender, add the remaining water, and repeat.
  6. Flavor options- add in after all coconut has been strained out: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, 2 tsp cocoa powder + 1/2 tsp vanilla.
  7. Drink immediately or store in the fridge. Should be used in 3-4 days after making for best flavor and texture. Since there are no preservatives or fillers, the “cream” of the coconut milk may separate on the top if stored in the fridge. Just shake or stir before using.

Ever made coconut milk before? Planning to try sometime? Offer your favorite tips below!

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About Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama is a full-time housewife with a background in nutrition, journalism and communications. Her passion is helping others achieve optimal health through a “Wellness Lifestyle.” She has helped hundreds of clients lose weight, increase athletic performance, improve fertility, and overcome numerous health problems and diseases. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, & Pinterest.

  • http://twitter.com/ATXglutenfree Jessica Meyer

     So creative! Love coconut milk. 

  • Amy

    wow, you weren’t kidding about this being simple and inexpensive. It seems too good to be true–can’t wait to try it! I’ve been trying to find an alternative, healthier drink for my kids, other than cow’s milk with chocolate, and this just might be it!

  • Clearvibe

    Wait a minute! Are you usisng dried shredded coconut? Or shredding fresh coconut?

    Blessings…

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Either one will work. Shredded dried coconut will work, as long as
    the milk hasn’t already been extracted. Fresh is best, if you can get
    it, but dried or frozen work great too!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dana-Seilhan/526832595 Dana Seilhan

    If this works anything like herbs, if you use fresh coconut instead of dried, you will need to use about twice as much.  Drying plant matter condenses it because there is no longer fluid plumping it out. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dana-Seilhan/526832595 Dana Seilhan

    Cow’s milk is fine if your kids aren’t allergic to it, especially if you can source grass-fed dairy, or milk that is low-temp pasteurized, assuming raw milk is not legal where you live.  (It is in some states.)  It is pointless to drink lowfat or skim milk, though–the fat helps with vitamin and mineral absorption.

    Chocolate milk tends to be iffy though.  I’ve seen recipes for homemade chocolate syrup before, but they were pretty mainstream with sugar and everything.  I don’t know if anyone’s tried for an alternative with a healthy natural sweetener (I have my reservations about whether *any* sweetener is healthy, but I suppose the ones with minerals still in them are at least less toxic).

  • Clearvibe

    I’m very curious as to your source of shredded coconut, and how you come up with less than $1 per gallon.

    Blessings…

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    lately, I’ve been ordering the bags of shredded coconut from Tropical
    Traditions. A 2.2 lb bag is $8.50 right now. With the way I’ve been
    making coconut milk lately, one bag makes 8-10 gallons or more. I’ve
    also gotten shredded coconut from a local co-op and it was even
    cheaper, I just like the taste of Tropical Traditions a little better.

  • Piecesofsunshine

     Would it work just as well with desiccated coconut?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I’m not sure. Does that have some of the oils taken out? Worth a try
    though… I’ll let you know if I get a chance to try it.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I’m not sure. Does that have some of the oils taken out? Worth a try
    though… I’ll let you know if I get a chance to try it.

  • http://gardengal1.wordpress.com/ Vicki

    I’d really like to try this as my eldest son is dealing with sensory integration challenges & my youngest is lactose intolerant. Thx for the recipe!

  • Joshdemille

     what brand of shredded coconut do you use that it only costs you a dollar per gallon? your recipe makes only 4 cups of milk, for a gallon you need to quadruple that recipe, 6-8 cups of shredded coconut is about a pound per gallon.

  • Joshdemille

     what brand of shredded coconut do you use that it only costs you a dollar per gallon? your recipe makes only 4 cups of milk, for a gallon you need to quadruple that recipe, 6-8 cups of shredded coconut is about a pound per gallon.

  • Joshdemille

     your recipe calls for 2 cups of coconut for 4 cups of water, to make one quart of coconut milk… how are you getting 8-10 gallons out of roughly 16 cups of coconut in the 2.2lb bag? by my calculations you’d need to use 8 cups of coconut per gallon of milk and that gets you 2 gallons per bag, at 4 bucks per gallon. are you adding more water in the end?

  • Joshdemille

     your recipe calls for 2 cups of coconut for 4 cups of water, to make one quart of coconut milk… how are you getting 8-10 gallons out of roughly 16 cups of coconut in the 2.2lb bag? by my calculations you’d need to use 8 cups of coconut per gallon of milk and that gets you 2 gallons per bag, at 4 bucks per gallon. are you adding more water in the end?

  • Joshdemille

     disregard this comment… i saw your reply to the brand you use on another comment and posed my question there instead. 

  • Joshdemille

     disregard this comment… i saw your reply to the brand you use on another comment and posed my question there instead. 

  • Clearvibe

     Hmm…that would make it $1/quart. Which would still be far cheaper than the current price of canned coconut milk, right?

    Blessings…

  • Leslie Blair

    I made it with dessicated organic coconut, and it works fine. Thanks for the recipe! 

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Definitely much cheaper (and healthier) than the canned versions!

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  • Lauren @ DessertsByLauren.com

    I just recently started making my own coconut milk and I LOVE it!  I use whole coconuts and it’s even cheaper!  (and the benefits of the coconut water are worth the effort of cracking it) And I let the oils come up to the top and then break it up and jar it.  Coconut Oil!  Then I turn the squeezed out meat into coconut flour.  I have yet to use it, but it’s there.  So many purposes to one little coconut!  

  • Mary

    When I was a kid we used to stop and roadside juice stands. I would order either a fresh squeezed orange juice or a coconut milk. What I want to know is what I used to get made by mixied coconut powder mix into a glass of milk. That is what I am looking to find. I just want soem coconut powder to stir in a glass of milk. What I remember was there were pieces of coconut in it. It was soooooo good. Any suggestions of what I can buy and where to find it ?

  • Zbean26

    My friends and I use a painter’s paint strainer bag to separate the coconut and the milk.  They are very inexpensive and do a great job.  Just wash well first.  

  • Candace

    Lauren, I’d love to hear how you make your own coconut flower from the coconut meat!  Do you just dehydrate it and then process it in a food processor or something?

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  • Lissi

    look up the gaps diet vicki to heal both your sons!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=144900878 Bridget Sielicki

    Any ideas on what to do with the remaining coconut “pulp”? I hate to toss it!

  • Zbean26

    OH Gosh, don’t toss it, dehydrate it, and use it as flour.  It is all I use these days.  There are some great recipes out there.  Tropical Traditions has a bunch on their web site.  I have a pumpkin one my family loves.  good luck.  

  • Andrea Roane

    I just tried making this. I have been on the no poo method for a small amount of time. I tried the boxed milk and it made my hair feel weird (maybe because all of the additives?). I will be trying the homemade milk. I will let you know how it goes with making my own milk for the shampoo. Thanks!

  • Peter Hardy

    Stevia is the hype, but i’m using it more and more often.  Make sure you get an organic brand, as the big food manufacturers will spoil this lovely sweetener sooner rather than later (and probably already have).  Instead of a cup of any sugar as per conventional recipes, a tablespoon of stevia does the same sweetening trick.  I use the white Stevia, as the green stevia is maybe better, as in ‘less processed’, but the strong aftertaste of licorice root put me off.

  • Muralsbydesignde

    Use a nut bag to squeeze out the coconut milk into a bowl! Then dehydrate the coconut either in a food dehydrator or oven at a low temp for about a half an hour.