Raw Coconut Yogurt

18 Replies

I’ve been asked by several readers to post a recipe for dairy free yogurt. After testing and reviewing several complicated recipes I have found a simple recipe that I feel comfortable suggesting to my dairy free readers.

Most of the coconut milk yogurt products found at the grocery store contain unsafe additives like gums and carrageena. This homemade coconut yogurt only has three ingredients.

Once you’ve made your coconut yogurt you can add natural sweetener, flavor and spices to suit your taste. I like to add raw honey and vanilla!

raw coconut yogurt

This recipe makes two cups of yogurt.

Equipment
Food processor or high quality blender 
Glass jar for culturing 
 
Ingredients
 
Young Thai Coconuts can be found at most health food stores, but check your local Asian Market for the best prices. I can purchase a box of coconuts for under $15 at my local Asian Market!  
 
Directions
Open coconuts and reserve coconut water. Spoon the coconut meat from coconuts and puree in food processor. Add coconut water one tablespoon at a time until coconut puree is desired consistency. Pour coconut mixture into a glass jar. Open probiotic capsules and mix them into the coconut mixture. If you are using vegetable culture, open package and add to coconut mix. Cover tightly with lid and allow coconut yogurt to ferment for 24-48 hours on the counter. Check yogurt after 12 hours and taste. The yogurt should have a slightly sour (yogurt) taste. Once fermented, yogurt can be sweetened (if desired) and stored in the refrigerator. Keeps for one week. 
 

What is your favorite yogurt flavor?

Mine? Vanilla. Boring, I know. But its my favorite :) .

Linked to Make Your Own! Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Simple Lives Thursday,  Pennywise Platter Thursday,Fight Back Friday,  

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  • mishia

    to frement, do you leave it out on the counter or do you refrigerate it?

  • The Coconut Mama

    mishia » Yes, you do! I just updated the recipe to mention that! :)

  • Laura

    If I have coconut milk, could I just add the starter to that? I know it may not be raw…

  • The Coconut Mama

    Yes! That will make coconut milk kefir! Yogurt is a little tougher to achieve because coconut milk doesn’t thicken like dairy milk does. That is why so many commercial coconut milk yogurts add gums and junk to the product. It makes the yogurt thick!

  • Laura

    OK. Thanks for your quick reply!!!
    So, would I used 1 can of CM to one package of vegetable starter? That’s what I have is packages of starter. I didn’t realize I could use probiotic capsules. Next time I go shopping… lol

  • Sally L

    Is it possible to use unsweetened shredded coconut if you can’t get the actual coconuts? If so how much would you use?

  • The Coconut Mama

    Sally L » Sally, I’m not sure who it would work! I haven’t tried this recipe with dried coconut meat. There is also a big difference between mature coconut meat and young coconut meat too. You need to use young coconut meat for this recipe. Shredded coconut is made from older mature coconuts.

    Sorry I’m not more helpful!

  • http://www.healthnutnation.com Alison

    You can get frozen young coconut meat in the freezer section of your Asian market as well!

  • http://wholenaturallife.com Meghan @ Whole Natural Life

    You are brave–I’ve been too scared to tackle whole coconuts. I also don’t know where to buy them. There’s a big Asian market a couple towns away that we shop at to get coconut cream, though, so maybe I’ll try there. Do you only buy organic coconuts?

    I’m sharing this on Facebook and Pinterest.

  • The Coconut Mama

    Meghan @ Whole Natural Life » Hi Megan! No I don’t buy organic coconuts anymore. Bruce Fife says there isn’t any reason to buy organic coconut because pesticides aren’t used on Palm trees.

  • The Coconut Mama

    Meghan @ Whole Natural Life » Thanks for sharing :)

  • The Coconut Mama

    Alison » I have found frozen young and mature coconut meat from the frozen section too! I use the frozen mature coconut meat for making raw coconut milk and the young coconut meat for making yogurt and raw coconut wraps! http://thecoconutmama.com/2011/03/coconut-wraps-recipe/

  • http://wholenaturallife.com Meghan @ Whole Natural Life

    That is really good to know about coconuts and pesticides! I hadn’t heard that before. I won’t worry about buying organic coconut products from now on, then. Thanks. :)

  • http://www.nourishingtreasures.com Lea H @ Nourishing Treasures

    Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.

    Check back tomorrow when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! :)

  • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MtnDairyCo-op/ lindacrh

    I would love to try this recipe, but I live in an area where fresh coconuts are impossible to get. There are several places that carry young coconuts but 4 out of 5 coconuts in my area are moldy on the inside. I have wasted SO much money on coconuts that I ended up throwing away that I’ve given up on them and turned to packaged coconut products. Is there a good recipe using something like So Delicious coconut milk? Or even unsweetened dried shredded coconut meat? I’d love to make my own, but if the ingredients are not available, then they are not available. I am so hoping to find a recipe that doesn’t depend on finding fresh raw coconuts in good condition.

  • The Coconut Mama

    lindacrh » Here is a recipe that sounds like will work with canned or homemade coconut milk – http://www.cookingtf.com/coconut-milk-yogurt-2/

    Hope that helps! :)

  • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MtnDairyCo-op/ lindacrh

    Thanks! :-)

  • http://twitter.com/culturedpal Cultured Palate (@culturedpal)

    I have never tried coconut yogurt but I like vanilla raw milk yogurt. You have given me courage to try it!
    Come over and share this on Thursday at Tasty Traditions: http://myculturedpalate.com/