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!
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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!
- Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Soup)
- Coconut Curry Chicken (Quick Instant Pot Recipe)
- Coconut Milk Irish Cream Recipe
- Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream Recipe
- Coconut Mango Popsicles (With Probiotics)
- 10 Other Ways to Use Coconut Milk
Try this inexpensive way to make coconut milk:
Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe
Servings
Nutrition
Notes
- 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
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Ever made coconut milk before? Planning to try sometime? Offer your favorite tips below!
Hi! Can this Ben frozen ??
Wondering if anyone has used the remaining coconut in a recipe? Like, even cookies? Is there still some good-for-you value in what’s been ‘milked’? Thanks all
Yes, save it and either freeze it as is or dehydrate it and you have coconut flour.
I don’t see fresh coconuts on any sort of “dirty dozen” or “clean 15” list (perhaps because they are less commonly purchased whole. Do you know whether coconuts not certified as “organic” are raised using unsafe, chemical, or unethical techniques?
Thanks much!
Why don’t you just use the “real” coconut milk inside of a coconut? That would work, right?
Yes, you could but thats not realistic for most of us. I’ve made it from “real” fresh coconuts 2x and it was extra delicious but extremely time consuming. Wellnessmama is giving you a recipe that is affordable and simple. I’ve been making it for many years.
Hello, would it be better to mention the shredded coconut in grams rather than cup as it could be compressed and also we make it more cups at one go…
Rgs,
This tastes absolutely delicious! My only question is about the fat that separates. I’ve made this twice and both times the fat hardened into a solid disc on top of the watery portion. I was not able to stir it in because it was too hard. Am I doing something wrong, or should I discard the fat, which is what I’ve been doing.
Oh no don’t discard the healthy fat. U can use it in so many recipes or just sweeten it and eat. What you are left with floating on top of your milk is called coconut butter (which is very expensive). I take mine off and add it to my hot beverage (chai tea or coffee etc) and its delicious. Also, the coconut butter will last in a sealed jar for weeks in the refrigerator as long as there’s no “milk” left on it.
Can you reuse the pulp as you do with almond milk?
Hey wellness mama! I cannot seem to get my coconut milk to be “thick” which makes me worried it’s not full of enough fat. I was hoping this could be what my soon to be one year old can drink in place of cows milk. I also can’t seem to figure out how to make it so that the far doesn’t harden at the top. It doesn’t just separate, it literally hardens in a layer. I feel like I follow the directions well and I even bought a but bag to strain through. I’m maybe wondering how long your “several minutes” are?
Just made some yesterday with 2 coconuts but when I tried to blend it in batches the liquid came through the gaps in my ninja. Is there another way to make it beside blending it or heating it up? I’m afraid of too much of the liquid getting into the motor and burning it up. Do you drink the water or add it to the water and meat? We drank it the night before and had the meat ready for the coconut milk.
I made this recipe, but I don’t have a vitamix.. and I found it to be a bit watery after i strained it. i think next time i’ll reduce the liquid. thank you for the recipe!
Hi Katie,
Thankyou for the wonderful recipe.
I wanted to know if making only 1 cup for 8 year old kid , how much coconut can be used if measured in biscuit size pieces because cup size has not been mentioned above.
Is it safe for a kid or adults to eat coconut in large amounts?
Can I take 3-4 biscuit size pieces to make milk for my kid , will it be hard to digest ?
Kindly guide
How much adults can take safely because of calories?
Thanks and regards
I am trying to make coconut milk as per your recipe and I would like to know if one can use the coconut pulp in any other recipe so it isn’t wasted. Thanks
This recipe is wonderful – and the taste is so fresh! Thank you for such wonderful ideas ?
Can the shredded coconut be reused to make the milk subsequent times?
Can this be done with coconut oil? Or does it need to be shavings?
Hi I don’t know if anyone will see this and respond before Christmas (it’s in 2 days) but is the nutritional value for the milk without any sweeteners or flavorings or anything? Also what’s the serving size that the nutritional value’s for?
Can I give my 8 month old coconut milk?
Wow! This looks so easy to make and very healthy too. can you pls share the coconut shredded details?
Thoughts on freezing the fresh made coconut milk for use longer than 3 days later?
Just made this recipe for the first time. Delicious and easy! But what do you with the powdered coconut that remains?