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Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe

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homemade coconut milk
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe

I’ve been using coconut products for years and now you can find everything from coconut cream to coconut flour in your grocery store baking aisle. Coconut milk is a wonderful alternative to pasteurized cow’s milk or to rice, almond, soy, or other plant-based milk, and you can find this at most stores as well.

Unfortunately, canned coconut milk at the store usually contains BPA in the can lining. New refrigerated carton varieties are somewhat better but can be expensive and have added sweeteners or preservatives. Not to mention the cost and packaging generated for what is — let’s face it — mostly water!

Fortunately, making coconut milk at home is very simple and inexpensive! From my calculations, homemade coconut milk costs less than $1 per batch. We use it in smoothies, curries, ice cream, or just to drink by itself. It can also be flavored with natural vanilla, strawberries, or cocoa powder. (Yum!)

How to Make Coconut Milk From Scratch

Coconut is packed with medium-chain fatty acids and lauric acid with a host of health benefits — one of the reasons coconut oil has become so popular. My kids can’t get enough of it and I love that it is full of the healthy fats that are especially good for growing bodies.

Best of all, you only need two ingredients to make coconut milk and one of them is self-stable! Grab some unsweetened shredded dried coconut from the pantry, add some hot water and a blender, and voila — fresh coconut milk!

Another bonus: this recipe takes minimal prep time and clean-up. You don’t have to have a nut milk bag for a strainer, either (although it is nice if you make coconut or almond milk from scratch often). I have used a towel or some cheesecloth in a pinch.

I’m experimenting with creative ways to use the coconut pulp when I’m done… let me know in the comments if you’ve found a favorite way to use it!

Coconut Milk Recipes to Try

Coconut milk works great for vegan, dairy-free, or paleo diets. Here are some recipes to try with your freshly made creation!

Try this inexpensive way to make coconut milk:

homemade coconut milk

Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe

Homemade coconut milk from shredded coconut for a healthy and inexpensive milk alternative.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Calories 390kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

6

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat water until hot, but not boiling.
  • Put shredded coconut in blender or Vitamix and add the hot water. If all the water will not fit, this can be done in batches. See instructions below.
  • Blend on high for several minutes until thick and creamy.
  • Pour through a mesh strainer to remove most of the coconut solids.
  • Squeeze the strained liquid through a towel or several thicknesses of cheesecloth to remove remaining pieces of coconut.
  • If you had to split the water into batches put all the coconut that you strained out back in the blender, add the remaining water, and repeat.
  • Drink immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 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 to the top if stored in the fridge. Just shake or stir before using.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 390 Calories from Fat 342
% Daily Value*
Fat 38g58%
Saturated Fat 34g213%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Sodium 30mg1%
Potassium 321mg9%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Try adding different flavor options after all coconut has been strained out!
  • Vanilla coconut milk: ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Strawberry coconut milk: ½ cup pureed fresh or frozen strawberries
  • Chocolate coconut milk: 2 tsp cocoa powder + ½ tsp vanilla extract

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

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

Make your own homemade coconut milk with only shredded coconut and water for a simple, inexpensive and healthy drink.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

399 responses to “Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe”

  1. Stephanie Wilson Avatar
    Stephanie Wilson

    Finding consistent recipes that are satisfying to 3 growing girls and hungry parents can be a challenge. I welcome all tips. We prefer Paleo or Gaps style of eating! Thanks

  2. Sarah Avatar

    I’ve been making coconut milk from the dried unsweetened kroger brand flakes. I’m wondering about the quality of these, since it is just the store brand. I know it isn’t organic but it seems to be the best I can find around here. Am I even getting the benefits from this?
    Thanks!

  3. Tracey Avatar

    I have found a much easier way to strain the coconut from the milk…a permanent basket filter for a coffee maker, very tiny mesh and no particles escape! No need to keep straining multiple times because it does it the first time! Love this recipe, making it to drink and also for my shampoo. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes!

    1. Jill Avatar

      Good idea, except that I’m wondering how you squeeze it if it’s in a coffee basket. Or do you just press it?

      I’ve been using a clean paint straining bag that cost 88 cents at the local paint store. Strains very well and withstands a lot of squeezing and twisting.

  4. Annie Avatar

    5 stars
    Thank you!!! I love this recipe. So…my story with the coconut milk is this- I saw your creamy looking picture and at first…I didn’t achieve it. I was using my food processor- I thought our blender was broken…turns out its’ not…Anyways, the food processor did not achieve anything close to really creamy, so I chalked it up (sadly) to the recipe. However, I tried again with my blender and it’s fantastic and is basically as creamy as milk. I use it in my coffee primarily, but have used it for lots of other things, really anything you would use milk for. Thank you!! Also, I just use a paper towel to strain. I am on the verge of buying a nut bag, but haven’t decided if it’s a “need”. I get my coconut in bulk from our local health food store. It’s def cheaper than buying it already done. And, lastly, it’s sooooo simple to do! I was just talking to one of my friends about it, and she started making it and was saying how easy it was. I think this type of thing comes off as intimidating, but just goes to show that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated!

  5. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    I make it with coconut water rather then the water for the added benefits it works great although it makes it cost a bit more

  6. Christina Avatar

    5 stars
    Thank YOU! This was the easiest thing I’ve made so far and it Tastes SO GOOD!!! My New Milk! TY

  7. Victoria Patterson Avatar
    Victoria Patterson

    Oops….got company in the middle of the post. I put the milk thru a sieve and added a wee bit of vanilla and stevia. I’m waiting for it to get cold and see how it goes. It looks good …..I don’t think letting it sit until the water cooled hurt it. This was not boiling water…..just very hot. I am really looking forward to trying it.

  8. Victoria Patterson Avatar
    Victoria Patterson

    I just tried this with my blended half full. Got a steam burn when the lid blew off and I was leaning my weight down on it! I am letting it cool (and putting lavender on my wrist)

  9. Ashleigh Avatar

    the taste of home made is outstanding. This was my first time making it with my new Vitamix. Burnt my hand a bit on the very hot slush that came out into my Nut Bag….first timer that I am I am sure it wont happen again! Used this milk to make Coconut Creme Brule! MAGIC!!

  10. Diana Redfearn Avatar
    Diana Redfearn

    Yes , you can make a delicious kefir with this.
    Make it as you would milk kefir. Remember it takes a few batches for the grains to become accustomed to a new type of milk.
    If you plan to make a constant supply from grains they need to go back in milk every week to feed. Another way around that is to use organic dried lactose(found with the sweeteners) at a rate of 4 Tablespoons per 5 Cups coconut milk. That will allow the grains to feed, grow and multiply. Remember the lactose is changed to lactic acid during the fermenting process. ENJOY

    1. Saint Avatar

      To make a kefir, you can also add a trusted probiotic, about 3-5 opened capsules blended with the coco meat or water…let stand room temp for 24 hrs and you have your kefir! I would buy a case of young coconuts and make kefir from the coco water. With the young coconuts, you crack them open, pour out the water and add the probiotics. After 24 hrs, you have a fizzy, wonderful probiotic coco water kefir. With the meat, I would blend all the young coconut meat along with some of the coco water and probiotics…allow to stand room temp for 24 hrs and have a wonderful dairy free coconut “yogurt”! Delish!

  11. Jacinta Avatar

    Hi, I put mine in the fridge, however I ended up with large lumps in it when I pulled it out of the fridge… Is this normal? If so how do I get rid of the lumps?

  12. barry Avatar

    can i ferment the coconut milk with milk kefir grains to make ”coconut kefir”?

  13. Tasha Avatar

    How should it be stored? I stored mine in the fridge and the next morning there was a hard layer on top…

    1. LindaJean Avatar

      I dry the pulp on a cookie sheet–spread it all out–in an oven with the light on so it gives it a little heat and it takes a day or two. Then I store it in a container and use it to make pancakes. I use about 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 coconut flower. You might have to sift it or put it in the blender first to get any lumps out of the coconut flour. It makes a really light batter for pancakes.

      2nd I make dog treats with it. There are many dog treat recipes on the internet so if the recipe calls for flour I just put in half the regular flour and 1/2 of coconut flour. My dog loves home made dog treats and coconut flour works great. Also sometimes I just add a couple of spoonfuls of the coconut flour to her dry dog food and mix some warm water in with it and stir it around really well and let it set for about 15 minutes so the water gets absorbed and then I feed it to her and she loves it. I figure that the oils are good for her too since they have omega 3 in them. If you have a dog give it a try. No need to throw the pulp away when you can use if as flour for lots of different things.
      Even put a spoonful into a smoothie to thicken it up a bit. The possibilities are endless.

  14. Isis Loran Avatar
    Isis Loran

    Fantastic! I tried it yesterday, sharing on my facebook page (Little Mountain Haven) today!

  15. Nicole Rod Avatar
    Nicole Rod

    Made this last night and refrigerated overnight – this morning the cream is solidified on top! What would you do? let it come to room temp and shake? leave it at room temp?

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