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. Simple. Straightforward.
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).
I’ve also done a much more in-depth review of Natural Valley, which I’ve called the best coconut milk you can buy – check it out if you want to see the full research process.
FAQ
Yes, coconut milk can be frozen and stored for up to a month. Learn how to freeze coconut milk here.
Yes, please always shake it before using. Because there aren’t any additives in this recipe, the coconut cream will naturally separate from the milk.
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.
How 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.
