This Easy coconut milk recipe is just like 1, 2, 3. Just blend shredded coconut with just a little amount of water, strain it, and voila! You have fresh homemade coconut milk ready in less than 10-minutes.
If you want to add any kind of sweetener you can add. I recommend coconut sugar, if at all using it.
I know you can easily find canned coconut milk for about 2 or 3 bucks. But, If you are into clean eating then I highly recommend that you don't buy canned coconut milk from now on.
Key Takeaways
1) Homemade Coconut Milk contains no additives nor any artificial sweeteners.
2) Coconut Milk can be used for a vast collection of healthy and continental recipes.
3) You can make and store Homemade Coconut Milk for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Why I Don't recommend Canned Coconut Milk?
I am always about clean eating. Often we think that "coconut milk" that must be so much healthier than whole milk.
Yes, that's true. There are big brands who are making millions selling us this truth.
They don't hesitate to write "Organic coconut milk". But they do add additives.
One of the most common additives found in canned coconut milk is "Guar Gum". Do you know what is it?
Guar Gum is an additive that forms a gel and thickens products. Although many argue that guar gum is healthy, but here is the truth that opened my mind.
Don't get me wrong. I am not trying to say that all canned coconut milk is bad or that you shouldn't buy it.
But, I always recommend homemade coconut milk. Its fresh, naturally sweet, and absolutely the best.
Can't I use Coconut Milk Powder instead?
Sure. Its a lot easier. At about 25 bucks you get about 2 pounds of organic coconut milk powder. All you have to do is just add water, stir and voila! Coconut Milk is ready.
But, what happens is that we often fail to understand the coconut:water ratio. And, that is so important to make a thick, creamy coconut milk.
Why is my Coconut Milk Grainy?
Grainy coconut milk simply means that your water and coconut ratio is unbalanced. This is what happens when you use coconut milk powder.
Another probable reason that your coconut milk is grainy could be because of the fact that you strain your coconut milk.
Ingredients
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- lukewarm water
- sweetener (optional)
How to Make Homemade Coconut Milk?
Here is the step by step homemade coconut milk recipe.
- STEP 1: Combine Shredded Coconut with water and blend
Transfer the shredded coconut into a blender and add some lukewarm water. if using 2 cups of shredded coconut milk, then I recommend at least 3 cups of water.
- STEP 3: Strain
Take a bowl and keep a strainer on top. Place a ultra-fine cheesecloth or a clean t-shirt over the strainer. Pour the coconut milk from the blender and squeeze until the thick and dry residue remains on top.
Transfer the remaining residue into a blender. Add some water and blend again. Repeat the straining process once again.
HINT: Save the coconut residue and use it for Oatmeal or energy bites and or any baked goods.
- STEP 4: Store
Store the fresh homemade coconut milk in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Make sure you shake before use. Since there are no additives and preservatives it can separate in the refrigerator. Use it in coffees, granola or other baked items.
What Can you do with Coconut Milk?
Coconut Milk is so useful in the kitchen. Especially when you are making Thai Recipes like (Easy Thai Green Curry Chicken or Thai Red Coconut Chicken Curry or Peanut Shrimp Pad Thai) or Indian Recipes like (chicken tikka masala, Malabar Chicken Curry, Baked Eggplant Curry, Chicken Vindaloo and etc.)
PS: I love both the cuisines. Not like this much but like thiiiiiiis much❤️❤️❤️
My favorite Coconut Milk Recipes are:
- Butternut Squash Soup - hearty fall soup
- Slow Cooker Butter Chicken - that creamy indian curry
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate - perfect for the holidays
- Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie - a must have for Thanksgiving
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls - protein rich snack you can much on
What Can I do with small amount of coconut milk?
I get it, you'll always find recipes that need about a cup or two of coconut milk. Is there anything that we can do with a small amount of coconut milk? Well, yes there is! Here are the recipes that you can make with just a small amount of coconut milk.
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Flour Brownies
- Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry
- Crockpot Coconut Lime Chicken
- Lentil Coconut Curry in Crockpot
- Thai Lemongrass Coconut Fried Rice
- Coconut Lime Tart
Can I Freeze Coconut Milk?
Yes you can freeze coconut milk. But the truth is, coconut milk is not like Lasagna that it'll freeze for up to 3 months in the freezer.
But this homemade coconut milk can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and for up to 1 month in the freezer.
To freeze any leftover (canned or homemade) coconut milk, place them in a ice cube tray and then freeze them.
or
You can get creative and make coconut ice pops. That's just brilliant.
Just pour canned or homemade coconut milk in a silicone mold or a popsicle mold. Stick the top and freeze for up to 5-6 hours until completely set. And, finally, enjoy homemade coconut ice pops.
Can I use coconut Milk in smoothies?
Yes. Why not! I use coconut milk in my smoothies as well as ice creams. In fact, I like to use coconut milk for my chia pudding recipes.
- Healthy Kiwi Chia Pudding - kiwi is so good for your body
- Tropical Chia Banana Smoothie - protein rich after-workout smoothie
- Mango Chia Pudding - tropical smoothie
- Vanilla Chia Pudding with White Grapes and Bananas - zero sugar and yet irresistible taste.
- Dragonfruit Banana Popsicles (just 3-ingredients) - that's so cool
- Dragonfruit Smoothie Bowl - one of the healthiest breakfast recipes
Easy Coconut Milk Recipe {5-minutes}
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 3 cups lukewarm water
INSTRUCTIONS
- add 2 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut (150 grams) into a high-speed blender with 2 cups of lukewarm water. Top it with a lid and keep a towel on top so that it doesn't splash. Blend it for about 2-minutes until smooth and until the mixture is well combined.
- Take out the mixture with a spoon, if its too thick then add the remaining 1 cup (240 ml) of water.
- Place a seiver over a saucepan. Cover it with a cheesecloth. Pour the mixture over this cheesecloth. Squeeze as much as you can. If you want you can strain the remaining mixture once again with some more water, or use it for other recipes like baked oatmeal or chocolate coconut balls or coconut energy bites.
- Transfer the fresh coconut milk to a sealed airtight container. This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Since there are no additives the mixture might separate. You'll see one part of coconut settled at the bottom and water on top. Just shake it and use it for coffee or smoothie or any recipe that you like.
Notes
- You can also use freshly grated coconut.
- If not using lukewarm water then soak shredded unsweetened coconut (packaged) for up to 1 hour in lukewarm water.
Ask Me Anything