Looking for a healthy dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk? Learn how to make coconut milk at home with just two ingredients! This excellent substitute is full of healthy fats and essential nutrients.
Coconut milk is an excellent alternative to cow’s milk, especially since most options are high in PUFA (polyunsaturated fat) and anti-nutrients. While this milk is widely available in stores, you can quickly (and cheaply) make it at home in minutes.
What is coconut milk, and how is it made?
Coconut milk is surprisingly easy to make if you have the right tools. There are a few ways to make it at home; with fresh coconut meat, dried coconut, and coconut milk powder. (Note: there’s a printable recipe card & video at the bottom of this post with full instructions on how to make coconut milk)
How to make coconut milk from dried coconut meat: Blend 1 cup of shredded coconut with 2 cups of water. Strain and store in an air-tight container.
How to make coconut milk from raw coconut meat: Blend 1 cup of raw coconut with 2 cups of water. Strain and store in an air-tight container.
How to make coconut milk from coconut milk powder: Mix four tablespoons of coconut milk powder with 3/4 cup of warm water.
Recipes with Coconut Milk
Having coconut milk on hand incredibly useful, not just as a beverage. You can use it to make yogurt, but you can also make coffee creamer and even eggnog for the holidays. Of course, it’s not cow milk. But it’s wholesome and a great substitution for those looking for a dairy-free alternative.
Here’s a list of recipes made with Coconut Milk:
- Coconut Ice Cream
- Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
- Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate
- Iced Coconut Milk Latte
- Cream of Coconut Recipe (for making cocktails)
- Coconut Milk Chia Pudding
- Coconut Milk Shake Recipe
Where To Buy Coconut Milk
I’m often asked which coconut milk brand I use. The best place to get it is right at home. That way, you can avoid the harmful gums, carrageenan, and BPA found in the store-bought versions. Your next best choice would be to purchase the Natural Value brand (buy here) since their cans are BPA-free and don’t use any additives or gums. Trader Joe’s coconut milk is also free of additives and gums (last I checked, anyway).
FAQ
Can I freeze leftover coconut milk? Yes, coconut milk can be frozen and stored for up to a month. Learn how to freeze coconut milk here.
Do I need to shake the coconut milk before using it? Yes, because there aren’t any additives in this recipe, the coconut cream will naturally separate from the milk.
Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk in recipes? Coconut cream is higher in fat the coconut milk and isn’t a 1:1 substitute. You can however, make coconut milk from coconut cream by mixing four tablespoons of coconut cream with 3/4 cup of warm water.
PrintHow To Make Coconut Milk (3 Ways)
Looking for a healthy dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk? Learn how to make coconut milk at home with just two ingredients!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Coconut Milk From Raw Coconut
- 1 cup diced coconut meat
- 2 cups filtered water
Coconut Milk From Dried Coconut
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2 cups filtered water
Coconut Milk from Coconut Milk Powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut milk powder
- 1 cup hot filtered water
Instructions
Coconut Milk from Fresh or Dried Coconut
- Blend the coconut meat or dried coconut in a high speed blender or food processor until the coconut meat is pureed.
- Strain the coconut milk and store in a container.
Leftover coconut pulp can be recycled and made into coconut flour.
Coconut Milk from Coconut Powder
- Mix 3 tablespoons of coconut milk powder with 1 cup of hot filtered water. Mix and store in an air-tight container.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 cup
This article was originally published in April 2011 and was updated with new images and video on October 5th,, 2021.
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May I just say in case of dairy allergies to check the ingredients on any commercial Coconut Milk powder – one I picked up to try here in the UK had actual milk powder in it, so I couldn’t use it.
I am wondering if I could use a slow juicer to get the cream and mix it with coconut water to get the milk?. The pulp to make coconut flour then then?
i followed your written directions below (4c coconut 2 cups water) and my vitamix overheated 🙁 In the video you say 4 c coconut and 3.5 – 4 cups liquid. After it cooled down, I added another 1.5 c of water and it was much better.
Do you have anything written out, instead of a video?? thanks
4 Cups Raw Coconut Meat
2 Cups Coconut Water or Filtered Water
Blend coconut meat and water together in blender or food processor for 2-4 minutes or until meat is blended with water. Use a cheese cloth to filter the coconut fiber from the coconut milk. Squeeze out all excess milk.
You can use the left over coconut fiber to make coconut flour. All you have to do is dehydrate the coconut fiber and blend it until a flour.
Could you use a juicer to make the milk? That would take away the need for a cheesecloth I think.
Can I use shredded coconut or does it have to be coconut meat?
Anne » Yes you can use dry shredded coconut too!
About how many cups of meat can come out of one coconut?
And about how much flour do you get after using the leftover fibers from this recipe?
I need to know how many coconuts to buy 🙂
Thanks!
I was wondering if you could use the leftover meat to make butter?
The leftover meat doesn’t contain any fat, so it will not work for making coconut butter. You can use it to make coconut flour though. 🙂
Hi, thank you the recipe it was easy to do following our recipe thnk you so much looking forward for new ideas and recipes
I wish I knew what you’re saying. There’s no actual text-based article, just a bloody video. People’s bloody obsessed with videoing everything, and we deafs are left behind, wondering what’s what. I’m fed up. Bugger this!
All I wanna do is make some coconut butter and milk, I’m sick of rubbish butter and milk that makes me sick. I want real foods!
Hi Alexander. I’m sorry I didn’t have a written text up. Here is the recipe…
4 Cups Raw Coconut Meat
2 Cups Coconut Water or Filtered Water
Blend coconut meat and water together in blender or food processor for 2-4 minutes or until meat is blended with water. Use a cheese cloth to filter the coconut fiber from the coconut milk. Squeeze out all excess milk.
You can use the left over coconut fiber to make coconut flour. All you have to do is dehydrate the coconut fiber and blend it until a flour.
Thank you
No need to be rude about it. If she didn’t have it in writing, then maybe you should have searched somewhere else, or asked her politely. Or have gone to the library and researched it yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Informative AND a well-made video. Good job!
You always have awesome Recipes, thank you very much.