22 Coconut Milk Recipes: How to Cook With Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a liquid blend of coconut flesh and water. The creamy texture of coconut milk is very similar to cow's milk, making it a milk substitute for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant. You can use coconut milk, or other non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or cashew milk, as a dairy alternative in many vegan dishes.

Coconut milk is an ingredient in many Asian cuisines and dishes and can be found with other Indian or Southeast Asian ingredients at the grocery store. Coconut milk is a base for many savory dishes in Thailand, such as coconut curries, including Thai green curry. You can also use coconut milk as a base for desserts like coconut ice cream and coconut pudding.

There are different kinds of coconut milk, so ensure you have the right type for your recipe:

1. 1. Full-fat coconut milk: In general, a recipe calling for coconut milk means full-fat coconut milk. This is the kind of coconut milk commonly available in a can. Full-fat coconut milk is not sweetened or flavored and is standard for cooking.
2. 2. Lite coconut milk: This coconut milk has sixty percent less fat than full-fat coconut milk. You can use it for cooking, but the results will be less creamy.
3. 3. Coconut milk beverage: This coconut milk is usually sold in a carton alongside almond milk, cashew milk, and other milk alternatives. This coconut milk is diluted with water and is not as creamy as full-fat coconut milk, and it is for drinking or making smoothies. Coconut milk beverages feature sweeteners, flavors, and additional vitamins and minerals.

Coconut milk is a different product than cream of coconut, coconut cream, or coconut water.

Consider making one of the following coconut milk-based recipes for your next weeknight dinner:

1. 1. Butter chicken: Indian butter chicken consists of pieces of tandoori chicken cooked in a tangy, velvety tomato cream sauce. To make butter chicken dairy free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk.
2. 2. Fish curry: This South indian fish curry soup involves simmering white fish in coconut milk and flavoring it with tamarind, chili powder, fresh red chilis, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, tomato, cumin, and garlic. You can serve fish curry with basmati rice, idli, or dosa.
3. 3. Palak paneer: Palak paneer is a North Indian vegetarian curry with origins in the Punjab region. The dish is comprised of a spinach purée (palak is Hindi for spinach) and fresh-pressed cheese, with an aromatic blend of spices that includes ginger, garlic, and garam masala. Palak paneer is also sometimes called saag paneer. Palak paneer is often served with basmati rice, naan bread, or both. You can make a vegan palak paneer by substituting the heavy cream with coconut milk and swap the paneer with tofu.
4. 4. Peanut curry: Thai peanut curry is a dish that consists of red curry paste cooked in coconut milk and infused with aromatics and spices. This variation of Thai red curry incorporates fresh-ground peanuts, which impart a nutty flavor into the savory sauce. You can add sweet potato or butternut squash, or chicken breast to make a coconut chicken curry. Garnish with cilantro and serve with white rice or rice noodles. Finish with a spritz of lime juice.
5. 5. Vegan alfredo sauce: Vegan alfredo sauce is a plant-based take on traditional Italian alfredo sauce, a rich cheese sauce typically served with fettuccine pasta. The non-vegan version is typically made with butter, Parmesan cheese, and sometimes heavy cream. Vegan versions of alfredo sauce recreate the texture and flavors of alfredo cheese sauce without the use of animal-based ingredients, including dairy. Instead, vegan cooks rely on ingredients like nutritional yeast, coconut milk, and vegan Parmesan cheese.
6. 6. Vegan asparagus soup: Vegan asparagus soup is a rich soup made with fresh asparagus and vegetable stock, and without any animal-based ingredients, such as dairy products. While traditional asparagus soup uses butter and heavy cream, you can easily substitute them with olive oil and coconut milk instead. A creamy asparagus soup recipe pairs the earthy, slightly bitter flavor of asparagus with bright, flavorful ingredients like garlic, lemon, and chives.
7. 7. Vegan broccoli cheese soup: Vegan broccoli soup, or vegan broccoli cheddar soup, is a dairy-free alternative to the classic comfort food made with broccoli and cheese. You can make vegan broccoli soup by swapping chicken broth with veggie broth and by using coconut milk, nuts, potatoes, or nutritional yeast to replace the cheese.
8. 8. Vegan corn chowder: Chowder is soup typically made with thickened milk or cream. Use coconut milk to make a vegan chowder. Potatoes, red peppers, onions, corn, and paprika round out this creamy coconut soup.
9. 9. Vegan mac and cheese: Vegan mac and cheese is an egg- and dairy-free version of traditional mac and cheese. This pasta dish relies on various ingredients thttps://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegan-mushroom-soupo evoke the flavors—and real cheese taste—of the original, which typically features a velvety béchamel sauce and a blend of rich cheeses. If you consume egg-based pasta, you can make this variation with regular macaroni, but egg-free pasta, like gluten-free chickpea pasta, is most commonly used to make this dish. The recipe may feature miso paste or nutritional yeast, which mimic Parmesan and gouda’s sharp, cheesy flavor. Vegan butter, plant-based milk (like coconut milk), and thickeners, like tapioca starch or potato starch, round out the vegan cheese sauce. This mac and cheese is a delicious vegan side dish at your next barbecue or dinner party.
10. 10. Vegan mashed potatoes: Vegan mashed potatoes are a dairy-free variation on classic mashed potatoes. Recipes for vegan mashed potatoes rely on plant-based substitutions—like vegan butter and coconut milk—instead of butter, cheese, sour cream, or milk to achieve a traditionally creamy buttery texture.
11. 11. Vegan mushroom soup: Mushroom soup, also known as cream of mushroom soup, is a soup that typically features a roux, heavy cream, mushrooms, and chicken broth. To make vegan mushroom soup, swap the dairy with a non-dairy milk, like cashew milk, coconut milk, or coconut cream, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can serve this American classic by itself or as the base ingredient in casseroles. Vegan mushroom soup pairs great with a slice of crusty bread to sop up the leftover broth.

Coconut milk is a fruit product, and a natural ingredient for desserts. Consider making one of the coconut milk dessert recipes below:

1. 1. Arroz con leche: Arroz con leche, literally meaning “rice with milk,” is rice pudding found throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Rice puddings, made with white rice and milk, come in many different variations throughout the world, seasoned with any number of spices and ingredients. In the Hispanic culinary canon, arroz con leche is served as a dessert, typically sweetened with condensed milk or granulated sugar. You can make dairy-free arroz con leche using coconut milk. Add coconut cream for more coconut flavor in the coconut rice pudding.
2. 2. Coconut milk ice cream: Coconut milk ice cream is a dairy-free frozen dessert consisting of unsweetened coconut milk or coconut cream, white sugar, and additional flavorings. This simple recipe results in a gluten-free and vegan ice cream, though some recipes may call for the incorporation of egg yolks. However, thanks to the fat content of coconut milk, you do not have to add egg yolks into the ice cream’s base to achieve the creaminess of traditional ice cream.
3. 3. Fresh coconut milk: You can purchase canned coconut milk at the grocery store, but if you have access to mature coconuts (and a hammer), you can make fresh creamy coconut milk. You can also make homemade coconut milk using unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut. You’ll need a blender to grind the coconut flakes with water. A nut milk bag is a handy tool for straining out the milk, but you can also use a cheesecloth, a fine-mesh strainer, and a clean kitchen towel.
4. 4. Piña colada: The Piña Colada is a Puerto Rican rum drink made with pineapple juice (the name means “strained pineapple” in Spanish) and cream of coconut. Instead of cream of coconut, you can also use a combination of coconut cream and coconut milk to create this delicious Caribbean cocktail.
5. 5. Vegan banana bread: Vegan banana bread is a type of banana quick bread made without animal products like eggs or dairy. Instead, this sweet treat achieves a rich, moist crumb from ingredients like vegetable and coconut oil, vegan butter, and non-dairy milk, like almond, soy, or coconut milk. Incorporating maple syrup into the batter can impart a new dimension of flavor and add moisture to the quick bread. Standard toppings for vegan banana bread include peanut butter, a drizzle of vegan dark chocolate, and sliced almonds.
6. 6. Vegan cheesecake: Traditional cheesecake is a layered dessert with a cheese-based top layer consisting of cream cheese, ricotta, quark, or a similarly soft cheese blended with eggs and sugar, set inside a thin pastry crust. Similar to regular cheesecake, you can make vegan versions of baked cheesecake and no-bake vegan cheesecake (raw vegan). The main difference is that vegan dessert recipes rely on vegan cream cheese and other non-animal products like vegan butter, coconut milk, and egg replacements, like hydrated flaxseed meal.
7. 7. Vegan cinnamon rolls: A cinnamon roll is a sweet rolled pastry made with a yeasted dough, gooey cinnamon-sugar filling, and topped with cream-cheese icing. Vegan cinnamon rolls, while similar in look and taste, are made without any animal products. Vegan recipes use plant-based ingredients like coconut milk, vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, coconut oil, and egg replacements made from hydrated flaxseed meal.
8. 8. Vegan cornbread: Vegan cornbread is an egg- and dairy-free variation of cornbread, a buttery, crumbly quick bread made with finely ground cornmeal. While eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter are responsible for cornbread’s signature texture, the vegan version calls on a range of alternate ingredients, including applesauce, flaxseed meal, and coconut milk, to make up the difference.
9. 9. Vegan frosting: Vegan frosting is a whipped, fluffy dessert topping made by beating vegan butter with vanilla extract, powdered sugar (also called confectioners’ sugar), and a small amount of coconut milk. Use this frosting on top of your favorite cakes.
10. 10. Vegan pancakes: Vegan pancakes are an animal-free twist on regular pancakes. Traditional pancake recipes rely on animal products like eggs, milk, or butter, but vegan pancakes swap out those ingredients for coconut milk, and flax seeds or chia seeds. Fry the pancakes on a pan until slightly crispy.
11. 11. Vegan pumpkin pie: Vegan pumpkin pie is a vegan version of traditional pumpkin pie—a dessert made with a spiced pumpkin custard filling layered inside a flaky pie crust and baked in a pie pan. The pie is usually served during the fall harvest holidays, like Thanksgiving, when pumpkins and gourds are in season. Instead of eggs and heavy cream, vegan pumpkin pie features an alternate binding agent to thicken it, such as cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder, and a rich, flavorful dairy-free cream substitute like coconut milk. Serve the pie with a dollop of vegan whipped cream or a scoop of vegan ice cream made from coconut milk.

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