33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (2024)

33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (1)

The Modern Proper

In our humble opinion, coconut milk is the most underrated ingredient in your pantry. It’s easy to find in the grocery store and has a subtle flavor, making it ideal for breakfasts, entrées and everything in between. The canned (and sometimes boxed) liquid is different from coconut water, which is the clear liquid found inside a coconut. To make coconut milk, the flesh of the fruit is blended to create a creamy white liquid that tastes and looks similar to cow’s milk. Totally dairy-free and nonperishable, coconut milk can be used in sweet or savory dishes, and adds a ridiculous amount of creaminess to any recipe. Ready to pop open a can? Here are 33 incredible coconut milk recipes to get you started. (bye, heavy cream).

Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry

Ditch the takeout menu.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Vegan Coconut Ice Cream

You need only three ingredients to make this super creamy, indulgent vegan treat. Bonus points if you serve it out of a frozen pineapple.

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Helene Dujardin/The Essential Vegan Keto Cookbook

3. Vegan Keto Coconut Curry

Coconut can get a bad rap because it’s high in fat, but don’t worry. Those are healthy fats, which fill you up and keep you satiated, a key component of any low-carb diet.

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4. Red Curry Risotto With Shrimp

Best hybrid recipe ever. Seriously. (And it’s dairy-free, which is the ultimate risotto hack.)

Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Overnight Oats with Coconut and Ginger

Don’t forget breakfast.

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Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Chicken Satay with Coconut-Peanut Sauce

Because finger food fun is the most fun.

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Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie

It all comes together in the fridge.

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Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Coconut Creamed Spinach

It doesn’t taste healthy (but it is).

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Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Dairy-Free Butternut Squash 'Fondue'

Just as smooth, tangy and dippable as the cheese version.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Vegan Slow-cooker Detox Coconut Soup

Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and hard-work-free, this soup is a delicious and healthy miracle.

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Photo: Liz Anderson/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Coconut Ice Pops

Creamy, dreamy and downright delicious.

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12. Whole Coconut Curry Chicken

If you’ve ever worried about drying out a whole chicken, this recipe that cooks poultry in its own sauce has your name all over it. Once you master the technique, feel free to play around with flavors.

13. Coconut Chia Pudding

Oooh, look at you, making pudding from chia seeds. You’re so healthy. Dress it up with fruit, honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Baked Coconut Curry Meatballs

These meatballs aren’t just exceptionally good-looking. They’re tasty too.

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33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (16)

Kitchen Sanctuary

15. Thai-Style Peanut Pork with Broccoli

So warm and comforting, it’s like a big hug in a bowl.

16. Coconut Thai Borscht

This mashup of Thai and Eastern European flavors is unlike any soup you’ve ever eaten. A little sweet, a little spicy and super rich and creamy.

17. Thai Peanut Soup With Kale, Zoodles And Shrimp

Are we even worthy of this recipe? It’s low on carbs, high on creaminess and so, so tasty.

33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (19)

I Am a Food Blog

18. 15-minute Miso Coconut Chicken Ramen

Fresh ginger, miso paste and coconut milk come together quickly for a wonderfully tasty, creamy bowl of ramen. This is comfort food at its finest.

33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (20)

Recipe Tin Eats

19. Coconut Marinated Grilled Chicken

Your favorite dairy-free ingredient magically tenderizes cutlets.

20. Indian Coconut Butter Cauliflower

Like butter chicken, only vegan, this cauli dish uses coconut milk and coconut oil for creaminess.

21. Coconut Chowder

A chunky chowder that’s creamy and a little crunchy. We know you won’t be able to stop making this one.

22. Dairy-free Mushroom Soup

Cream of mushroom soup, hold the cream (and lucky for you, it’s impossible to tell the difference).

23. Thai Coconut Mussels

In just a few minutes you can have a pot of mussels in spicy, decadent sauce that’s even better with a side of fries or bread for dipping.

24. Creamy Coconut Hot Chocolate

You’ll be craving this dairy-free hot chocolate during all four seasons. (And if the marshmallow art is too extra, it’s just as comforting without it.)

25. Tamarind Beef Curry

This curry paste–free recipe riffs on the flavors of curry using savory-sweet tamarind paste, lemongrass and herbs that coat the beef and veggies.

26. Poached Salmon In Coconut Lime Sauce

Sick of the same old seafood recipes? Spice up salmon night with this incredible sauce.

27. Thai Coconut Soup With Potstickers

Any soup with dumplings in it is, statistically, the best soup on earth. We checked.

28. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Coconut Ginger Sauce

Add a little flair to a crisp veggie side with this recipe that uses light coconut milk to build a sauce for roasted Brussels.

29. Green Pea And Coconut Soup

When soup cravings hit, whip up this bright green herb-packed bowl, which starts with frozen peas and a can of coconut milk.

30. Burmese-style Vegan Coconut Curry

You’ve probably caught on that coconut milk works really well in curry. Don’t snooze on this one.

31. Paleo Chicken Potpies

Have you ever seen anything more adorable? (No, the answer is no.)

32. Coconut Cream Quinoa Tartlets

This vegan, gluten-free dessert is extra decadent, creamy, crispy and fabulous for any occasion. (Even if that occasion is sitting on your couch.)

33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (34)

Pinch of Yum

33. Anything-You-Have Coconut Curry Soup

Bonus: This can be made with practically any veggie.

33 Creamy and Delicious Coconut Milk Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with a can of coconut milk? ›

  • 1Two-tier coconut milk layer cake. ...
  • 2One-pot chicken massaman curry. ...
  • 3Strawberry & coconut milk popsicles. ...
  • 4Turmeric snapper with mint, cucumber and celery salad. ...
  • 5Mango and coconut ice-cream. ...
  • 6Javanese chicken and coconut curry (opor ayam) ...
  • 7Easy pina colada trifle. ...
  • 8Tofu, sweet potato and broccolini green curry.

Can I use so delicious coconut milk instead of canned coconut milk? ›

Also, keep in mind this is NOT like canned coconut milk. It's a milk substitute. It's great for cereal or coffee (I like to mix it with coffee concentrate), but don't use it in recepies that call for canned coconut milk.

Does so delicious coconut milk go bad? ›

We recommend using products by the “best by” date printed on the container. For optimum freshness, So Delicious products should be enjoyed within 7-10 days after opening.

Is there a difference between canned coconut milk and coconut cream? ›

Coconut cream is the same thing as coconut milk—coconut meat blended with water—but it contains less water. While coconut milk is thin like cow's milk, coconut cream is thick like whipped cream. You can find this fat-rich cream floating on the top of any canned coconut milk, or you can buy it in a dedicated can.

What is coconut milk best used for? ›

Creamy canned coconut milk is a great storecupboard ingredient to cook with. Use it in bakes and desserts, or to cool and mellow spicy curries.

Can you drink straight canned coconut milk? ›

If you want, you could just drink the coconut milk from the can. It's delicious! But it's pretty high in fat.

Does so delicious coconut milk taste like coconut? ›

I was looking for an alternative to full fat actual coconut milk/cream and found this. I use 1/2 this product and the other half water for my protein drink. It is delicious. It is a subtle taste of coconut with a little bit more substance than water.

Are you supposed to mix canned coconut milk? ›

Canned coconut milk is widely available and inexpensive. But you will need to stir or shake it. The fatty “cream” will rise to the top of the can over time, creating a dense layer that needs to be mixed back into the watery liquid below.

Does so delicious coconut milk froth? ›

This coconut milk froths up beautifully. I've been using it for years.

Can I use 1 year expired coconut milk? ›

It's essential to adhere to this date but also recognize that an unopened can may remain safe for consumption for about a year past the printed date if stored correctly. Consumers should always inspect the milk before use, looking for changes in color, smell, and texture as signs of spoilage.

What does rancid coconut milk look like? ›

Coconut milk should be a creamy white color when it's fresh. As the beverage degrades, its hue may lose some of that vibrancy, and it'll shift to a darker or more muted gray color. And, of course, any visible mold or bulges in the can means the entire thing is likely contaminated and should be tossed in the trash.

Can I freeze coconut milk? ›

An open container of coconut milk will last for a week in the fridge, but if you know you probably won't get to it in that amount of time, freeze it immediately. Transfer your unused coconut milk to a freezer-proof container that is just large enough for the quantity you need to store.

What is the best brand of coconut milk? ›

What brand of coconut milk is the best? Per our taste test, the best all-around brand in the carton is Vita Coco Coconut Milk Original Organic. The best in full-fat is Thai Kitchen 2 Simple Ingredients Coconut Milk Unsweetened, and the best in light is Thrive Market Organic Coconut Milk Lite.

Is coconut milk healthier than heavy whipping cream? ›

Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than coconut cream. Coconut cream is a great source of dietary fiber and iron, and it is an excellent source of potassium. Both coconut cream and heavy cream are high in calories and saturated fat. Coconut cream has signficantly less cholesterol than heavy cream.

Can you whip coconut milk? ›

Did you know that you can make luscious whipped cream from a can of coconut milk? Here's how! This trick is simple: Chill a can of coconut milk, then scoop out the coconut fat that separates out and solidifies (leaving the watery liquid behind), and whip it just like whipped cream.

What can I do with remains of coconut milk? ›

5 Ways to Use Your Coconut Pulp
  1. Make Muesli.
  2. Make "Bread" Crumbs.
  3. Use as a Smoothie Thickener.
  4. Make a Cake.
  5. Use as a Facial Scrub.
Apr 7, 2024

How to drink coconut milk from a can? ›

To make a refreshing drink using canned coconut milk, you can blend it with fresh fruit such as mango or pineapple, add a splash of lime juice, and sweeten with a bit of honey or agave syrup. You can also add ice for a cool, tropical beverage.

How do you save coconut milk from a can? ›

Put opened coconut milk in a sealed container.

The sealed container will help keep the milk fresh for much longer than an open container. If you have a milk jug or a soda bottle, wash it out first and pour your opened coconut milk into it. Screw the lid of the bottle as tightly shut as you can.

Is canned coconut milk still good? ›

Coconut milk does go bad eventually

According to the USDA, low-acidity canned foods, like coconut milk, will last two to five years on the shelf, and for three to four days after opening and keeping it in the refrigerator.

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