Do you love coconut milk? Here is a great recipe for homemade coconut milk that’s super easy and saves a ton of money over store bought varieties!
I’m all about DIY versions of kitchen staples like almond milk, homemade rice milk, powdered sugar substitute and dairy-free condensed milk.
Basically, if I can make it myself, I pretty likely will do it :). Anyhow, it’s been awhile since I first posted my Coconut Milk Recipe.
It is, for sure, the easiest way to make coconut milk that you can find, but it did leave a little something to be desired.
Well, thanks to one of my super duper ingenious readers, I have a fabulous update for you!
Read on for the details :-). You’ll be glad that you did.
We love coconut milk around here.
For me, my original Coconut Milk Recipe was just fine.
I mean, what can be easier than blending some dried unsweetened coconut with some plain water?
No need really to strain through a nut milk bag or strainer.
And really, this super-busy mom really can’t deal with buying a whole coconut, splitting it open, and then blending and straining the contents. Maybe once in awhile for a fun homeschool project, but not on a regular basis.
But if you read the comments on my original coconut milk recipe post, you will see that some readers weren’t thrilled with the final product being a little grainy.
For me, if I blend the mixture on high in my Vitamix (you can also order one on Amazon) for 3 minutes (of course, any high speed blender will do), I really found that the graininess wasn’t a big deal, but there was quite a bit of residue in the bottom of my jar in the fridge.
Since I’m so cheap frugal, I would just stir it up before serving and call it good.
And then I would just add more filtered water to the stuff at the bottom of the jar and use it in a recipe or make a smoothie out of it.
Sure, it’s not as “amazingly thick and creamy” as the expensive stuff in the stores, but then, when you are saving something like 90% off the price, I can deal with a little graininess, you know?
Well, one of my readers shared something this past month that made the “Easiest Coconut Milk Recipe” just a tad less easy but a whole lot better.
So I am sharing that with you today.
The result?
A much creamier coconut milk for you and yours.
One reader even shared with me that she was having troubles with her coconut milk separating out a bit in her morning coffee, but since she started using this method, it wasn’t doing that anymore and she was really thrilled.
How to Use Homemade Coconut Milk
– In recipes as a dairy free alternative, if you are dairy allergic, vegan, or just plain out of milk
– In a smoothie
– Plain – my son LOVES coconut milk with some stevia extract or my Liquid Vanilla Stevia
– Make frozen coconut milk ice cubes and add them to your favorite drinks so they aren’t diluted by regular ice cubes. This is great in coffee or tea.
– Over hot or cold cereal (we love it over my Baked Oatmeal / Oatmeal Cake)
So here is our “Easiest Improved Coconut Milk Recipe.” Hope you like it.
If you really want to make this smoother, you can strain it through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth. I don’t bother doing that.
When it gets thick I just add some more filtered water and stir it up.
We’re pretty used to “not perfect” coconut milk now :).
Dietary Note – If you are on the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan, if you’re using this in smoothies, etcetera, you’ll need to use less than 1/2 cup of this homemade coconut milk to keep your drink an FP (and that’s with not adding any other fat to the meal/snack).
Larger quantities can be used for S meals. The other alternative is to use only 1/2 cup coconut for 8 cups of water and you have a THM friendly milk to use in all of your recipes.
What You Will Need
- Dried Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- Water (I really recommend reading Is Your Water Safe?)
- Sweetener (optional. If using, add a dash of salt (I recommend Real Salt) as well)
Recipe Notes and Substitutions for Homemade Coconut Milk
- Sweetener: Any healthy sweetener can be substituted for the xylitol.
- Salt: If using sweetener, add a dash of salt (I use Real Salt).
- THM: If you are on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe will fit in as an “S.”
Easiest Coconut Milk Recipe {Improved}
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried unsweetened shredded coconut (use less if needed to meet your dietary needs)
- water (enough to make five cups of coconut milk)
Instructions
- This is the new step: Grind the coconut in your blender or spice grinder until fairly finely ground. (I love this coffee grinder. I think you get a better grind in this than in the blender.)
- Add 1 cup of water to the ground coconut in a high powered blender (like Vitamix) and blend on high for 1 minute.
- Add water to make 5 cups of coconut milk. Blend on high for 3 minutes.
- Enjoy and store in the refrigerator.
More Super Fast Whole Food Pantry Staples:
– Powdered Egg Replacer (compare to Ener-G)
– Powdered Sugar Substitute
– Easiest Almond Milk Ever
– Homemade Rice Milk
– Homemade Nut or Seed Butter
– Homemade Coconut Butter
– Homemade Taco Seasoning
– Best Cinnamon Sugar
Have you ever made Homemade Coconut Milk?
Wow Wow
Thank you!
I’m sorry but this method is not a very healthy one! I use a regular high speed blender fresh coconut meat highly filtered water.
Xylitol there is just so many things wrong with using that especially if you have pets! but even then there are health risks with it for humans.. Honey is a better substitute or if you are on a diet for autoimmune diseases no sweeteners of any kind! sounds horrible but if you stay off all sweeteners for a few months you’re taste buds can be somewhat tricked by adding a small amount of Apple cider that has the mother in it such as Bragg’s apple cider there are other brands as well ..
method is to use fresh coconut meat from fairly young coconuts preferably with green husks which are great as they have sweet tasting water in them scoop out the meat wash thoroughly to get all the shell off and fill standard size blender 2/3 with the meat add 1 to 1 1/2 cup’s Filtered water blend at high speed till pasty put in a high hat colander that is restaurant grade for making clear beef stocks and use a spatula to strain through get the moisture out plus the milk and fat repeat 3 times with the same meat. do not throw meat away this can be added to smoothies dried and made into flour for baking etc .
Hello there! First of all, thanks for reading. Secondly, it isn’t an unhealthy recipe at all. We actually almost never add any sweetener and it was noted that it was optional.
Yes, there are some who have concerns about xylitol and others who think it’s really fine to use. I actually am going to be changing over the sweeteners that I recommend so that might interest you.
I have heard that avoiding sweeteners will change your tastebuds. It depends on what your goals are.
I think your method sounds great but is fairly tough for busy moms and others. I am glad you are able to pull it off, though! I try to use only dried organic coconut meat so I can make this easily many times in a week. Hope that clarifies and hope to see you around again!
I put it in the fridge to let cool and the top is all hard. Is that normal? Do I just scoop that out and throw it away or what are your thoughts?
Hi there – that happens b/c the solids aren’t strained out. You can do that if you like but we just stir them back in b/c it’s easier that way, plus there are uses for them–some dry them and use them in recipes :).
I have a quick question: how long does it last in the fridge? I have a spouse with auto immune issues and can’t do a lot of fresh juices unless it is same day. Thanks!
The typical thinking on this is 4 days max. You could always make a smaller batch as well — hope it works well for you!
Hi. You’re recommending grinding the coconut flakes before blending them. I found this 4 lb bag of organic coconut flour on Amazon for under $11. It seems to be 100% ground up coconut. I’m interested in your thoughts on possibly using this instead of buying flakes and grinding them up.
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Coconut-Anthonys-Verified-Gluten-Free/dp/B00BSZBEAG/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_all_spx_wp_0_2/143-2471752-6930750
Thank you
Steve
Hi there. Coconut flour is not just ground up coconut. It’s what remains after making coconut milk and sifting it. Hope that is helpful!
Hi Adrienne. I didn’t know that coconut flour is the remains of coconut milk. That’s not what I want! Thank you for educating me.
Sure! What do you mean that it’s not what you want? Thanks!
I mean I don’t want the remnants of making coconut milk to make coconut milk, I want coconut flakes or similar grated forms of coconut. What you suggested in your posts.
Thank you!
You are so welcome!
There’s a big problem with throwing away the coconut solids. Those solids can be used to make coconut flour! Recipes all over the internet. I will be doing this to make dog treats, and to try with recipes.
Hi Tere. Actually I really don’t advocate tossing the solids, but actually coconut flour is from the coconut meat and not from the fat that is separated out like that. I don’t know why people think that but it isn’t the case. You can use the solids but it won’t work like coconut flour in regular applications.
I love how simple this is to make and budget friendly! It is great to be able to make this and control the ingredients and sweetness myself!
Thanks, Stacey!! That’s what we love about it too. I am pretty happy every time I make it that I saved $$!
I have lots of fresh coconuts and I will toast my own coconuts. Can I use my fresh coconut flakes to make this recipe?
Yes, you can. You would use a bit less water since there is some liquid in there but it wouldn’t offset it too much. Enjoy!
Hi!
What kind of coffee grinder do you recommend? I’m unable to click on it to open.
Thanks!
Sorry about that. For whatever reason there was no link there. I have since put one in.
I make coconut milk using Coconut Creme Concentrate from Tropical Traditions (other brands call it Coconut Manna, Coconut Butter, etc.). It’s basically 70% coconut oil and 30% coconut meat. Add water and blend well. You can filter it too if it feels gritty from the coconut meat.
Sounds yummy! How much water to how much Coconut Butter? Thx!
I just do it till it’s like milk. Start with half water, half coconut butter and go from there.
Hi,
Thanks so much for this recipe. Now all I need is a container to put it in. 🙂
It does sound easy. I have an older blender that I bought at a yard sale and it
works great with recipes that I have made in it. It’s fast. I love it.
Again, thanks for the recipe. I have signed up for more good stuff that you send out.
Rose Brennan
You are so welcome! I just put it in any kitchen food storage container. Good for you on the blender and thanks for the kind words!
hi I’m really excited to try this recipe but it says add enough water for 5 cups coconut milk. Does this mean 5 cups water? Or is it less?
Add water so that the total amount in your blender is 5 cups. Hope it works well for you!