You can do so much with coconut milk, using this delicious milk to make everything from smoothies to soups. Coconut milk may be one of the most versatile ingredients out there. One benefit of coconut milk is that it gives a creamy consistency and rich coconut flavor, but is non-dairy.
Coconut milk is a versatile ingredient that has gained popularity in recent years for its rich, creamy texture and unique flavor. It’s an essential component in many delicious recipes, from savory dishes to sweet treats. Derived from the flesh of coconuts, this plant-based milk alternative is ideal for those who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan or dairy-free diet.
There are countless ways to incorporate coconut milk into your meals, and this article aims to provide inspiration for incorporating this nutritious ingredient into your culinary repertoire. From entrees to desserts, explore a collection of top-rated recipes that celebrate the diverse possibilities coconut milk has to offer.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a curious newcomer, these coconut milk recipes provide a fantastic opportunity to experiment with a variety of flavors and techniques. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to be inspired by the delicious world of coconut milk cuisine.
Now, there are a lot of folks asking “What to make with coconut milk?”
Thankfully, there are tons of recipes out there using coconut milk. And cooking with coconut milk is just as easy as using any other type of milk.
Below are 31 recipes using coconut milk that will make your taste buds sing.
One of the easiest ways to cook with coconut milk is switching out the water you use to boil rice with coconut milk instead. This puts a delicious twist on a simple and traditional dish while adding lots of new flavors.
And while you can top coconut rice with anything you want, honestly, this dish tastes great eaten on its own!
For this coconut rice recipe, you only need a few ingredients, such as jasmine rice ), either basmati or regular long-grain white rice), coconut milk, water, and salt.
You also use lime juice as it adds a touch of acidity, which pairs well with the richness of the canned coconut milk.
The cooking time for this recipe is about 12 minutes, and once you’re done, you’ll have mounds of fluffy, delicious white coconut rice!
What we love about this dish is the mixture of bold flavors such as fresh basil (or fresh cilantro), red pepper flakes, soy sauce, coconut sugar, ginger, red curry paste, and garlic cloves.
Sweet potato is a naturally sweet veggie, and the combination of spices really brings the flavor to another level.
The canned coconut milk adds a rich texture to the soup, and if you find it a bit too spicy for your pallet, you can always dial back on the spices a bit.
This is a wonderful winter soup on cold nights by the fire.
Coconut milk also knows a thing or two about supercharging everyday breakfast meals such as oatmeal.
If you want a great way to sweeten your oatmeal while giving it a one-of-a-kind flavor naturally, check out this incredible recipe for creamy coconut milk steel-cut oats.
As with so many dishes, coconut milk gives this oatmeal recipe a wonderfully rich and creamy texture that’s tough to beat.
Plus, canned coconut milk supercharges your oats in ways milk can’t!
Top your oats with crunchy nuts, honey, and your favorite fruits for the ultimate breakfast of champions!
Using coconut flour (which is gluten-free) along with dairy-free coconut milk, you’ve got a killer recipe for some of the best pancakes you’ll ever taste!
Best of all, most folks can’t tell the difference between these fluffy and flavorful coconut milk and flour pancakes and traditional buttermilk pancakes.
Now, the main difference with this pancake recipe is that it uses more eggs than buttermilk pancake recipes. That’s because coconut flour is super absorbent.
Now just grab your favorite fruit topping and some honey and go to work!
One of our favorite fruit tag teams just got a whole lot better. This coconut strawberry banana smoothie recipe is way better than anything you’ll find made with animal-based milk.
When you think of strawberry banana smoothies, you think of cold, rich, and creamy textures accompanied by vibrant fruit flavors.
And with coconut milk, you not only get a creamier texture but also add a sweetness that compliments the strawberries and bananas perfectly.
Not everyone is a big fan of lentils, but this recipe for creamy coconut lentil curry can make them believers with just one bite!
We all know lentils are very nutritious and deliver numerous health benefits, and with this recipe, you’ll fall in love with their incredible texture.
Not to mention, the curried beans soak up so much amazing flavor!
We highly recommend using cherry tomatoes. However, canned tomatoes will work just as well in a pinch.
While this may not be the fastest cooking dish, you’ll find the hour or so wait was well worth it when you taste your first spoon or forkful of this brilliant dish!
If you’d like a bit more spice in your life, you’ll fall in love with this spicy coconut-lime sauce that uses a hint of cilantro for a powerfully flavorful kick.
You can pour this dressing over salads and your favorite pasta dishes for an exciting culinary experience guaranteed to widen your eyes.
Cilantro is a very strong herb, so you may want to start small and add more depending on your palette.
Our favorite dish using this sauce is coconut rice with wild mushrooms, broccoli, and carrots.
This recipe for pineapple coconut tres leches is a coconut milk dessert recipes you’ll never forget.
Inspired by tropical Hawaiian flavors infused in a moist, melt-in-your-mouth delicious cake, makes this the dessert you’ll dream about.
Now, for those unfamiliar with tres leches cakes, tres leches are Spanish for “three milks.” Now, traditionally, you would mix three animal-based kinds of milk, such as regular milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk.
However, you can substitute sweetened condensed milk and regular milk for sweetened condensed coconut milk and coconut milk for this recipe.
Soy milk or almond milk are suitable substitutes for evaporated milk.
And if you don’t mind a bit of alcohol, a shot of coconut rum really boosts the flavor.
Top with your favorite vegan-friendly whipped cream, some coconut, and fresh pineapple slices, and sail away to pure pleasure.
One type of corn-based meal folks can never get enough of is creamed corn. And this crowd-pleasing-coconut creamed corn recipe ups the ante on creamy, savory flavor.
Aside from the coconut milk, you have the flavors of fresh jalapeno peppers, garlic cloves, coriander seed, and ground cumin to really make this dish come alive.
You can also substitute gluten-free flour or Arrowroot powder for coconut flour to thicken up the sauce.
It’s also a great idea to use spice bags in recipes such as this, so you don’t have to go searching for loose garlic cloves.
Around September, Americans start getting the craving for all things pumpkin. This spicy Thai pumpkin soup made with coconut milk will more than make your pumpkin dreams come true for those pumpkin-spice lovers out there.
Full of flavorful zest and spice, this soup is also very filling.
If you don’t have fresh galangal roots and turmeric, you can replace those ingredients with galangal and turmeric powder – or add one or two teaspoons of curry powder.
And we used fat-free coconut milk instead of coconut cream. Just leave the coconut milk in the fridge for about one hour to thicken up the top layer of the milk.
We honestly can’t see how anyone can try and make curry without using coconut milk. The texture is just so smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance all the spices.
One of the best things we love about this recipe is that you can throw in tons of veggies to really make it a super healthy meal.
You’ll need curry powder (of course) as well as minced garlic, ginger, and onion. Also, you’ll use turmeric powder and fine thyme.
You can make this a completely vegan dish using only the veggies or add shrimp or grilled chicken.
Then, in 30 minutes or so, sit down and enjoy one of the finest meals you’ll ever have.
Having a tough time finding coconut milk at your local store, or are you tired of paying absurdly high prices for it? Make your own coconut milk at home with this simple recipe.
High-quality coconut milk is something you want to keep handy for all kinds of delicious recipes.
Now, for this recipe, you’ll need shredded coconut meat and one young coconut.
The directions are pretty straightforward, and in about ten minutes, you’ll have plenty of fresh coconut milk.
Vegan recipes don’t always have the best reputation among non-vegans. But, this maple pecan vegan bread pudding recipe is one of the delicious exceptions that could make folks fall in love with vegan foods.
In regular bread pudding recipes, you mix together milk, eggs, and sugar over stale bread, then just let your oven do the work for you.
However, there are just a few extra steps in this vegan bread pudding recipe, such as making the eggless custard base that you’ll soak the bread cubes in.
But, once your bread pudding’s out of the oven and ready to serve, all your efforts will be rewarded with one the best bread puddings you’ve ever eaten.
Nothing beats the silky richness of deliciously fluffy buttercream frosting, but when you make this delicious topping with coconut milk, it’s hard to go back to the regular stuff.
As you’ve read, coconut milk makes everything richer and creamier, and frosting’s no exception.
The finished frosting is a mixture that pipes out of your frosting bag with a silky smooth texture.
On top of that, it holds its shape brilliantly, and the subtle underlying coconut flavor tastes amazing with any type of cake you pair with this frosting.
Now, for vegan folks out there, we’re sorry, but this recipe does use eggs and butter. However, for others looking for a french toast recipe that will knock your socks off, we’ve got something special for you.
This spiced coconut milk French toast recipe uses a spiced egg custard made with evaporated coconut milk, eggs, jaggery, green cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt.
It also calls for challah bread, and you’ll use unsalted butter for the skillet.
Finally, you can top it off with honey, maple syrup, or fresh fruit toppings.
Or if you really want to go big, a big scoop of coconut ice cream.
We must warn you. This may ruin your taste for plain french toast forever.
Well, you know what they say, “It’s all fun and games until someone mentions ice cream.”
While this cold and creamy treat may be close to your heart, worry not because this recipe for coconut milk ice cream more than delivers the goods!
You’ll need to use coconut extract to add more coconut flavor since the milk doesn’t translate much in this recipe.
We also loved the distinctive flavors of the maple syrup and cashew butter (you can sub for almond butter) this recipe brings to the table.
Best of all, there’s no churning or any of that madness to worry about – just give your ingredients a little quality time in your blender and put the mix in the freezer.
Add your favorite toppings, or just eat it plain. Either way, you’ll absolutely love it!
Coffee’s changed a lot over the last 40 years. It’s crazy to think about a time when asking for something like a frappuccino at a coffee shop would land you in a straightjacket.
However, nowadays, we’ve got all kinds of unique and exciting forms of America’s favorite breakfast beverage to choose from.
One of those choices is iced coffee, but this unique Thai variation uses the creamy sweetness of coconut milk to make this recipe something special.
Whipping up all the ingredients will take about ten minutes. After that, just pour over the ice and add your brewed coffee.
If you’re like us, you just can’t get enough hot and creamy coconut soups. And this Thai broccoli soup with coconut milk, spinach, and lemons is one for the record books!
It’s crazy how well the lemon flavor works with everything, but it does!
As temperatures continue to fall, more folks fill their mugs with this traditional chocolatey hot beverage.
However, until you’ve had this coconut milk hot chocolate recipe, you only think you’ve had real hot chocolate!
Now folks, if you’ve got any of those hot chocolate packets buried somewhere in your pantry, go and pull them out right now.
Next, toss them in the trash and promise yourself you’ll never buy them again, because once you taste this hot chocolate masterpiece, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this in your life.
This Thai green curry soup is by far one of the most simple coconut milk recipes you can make, but the results taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
The secret to this soup lies in its key ingredient, the Thai Kitchen brand’s green curry paste. You’ve also got your coconut milk, vegetable stock, garlic, onion, ginger, and veggies.3
You can also add meats such as shrimp, steak, pork, or chicken. Or add your favorite tofu.
Finally, serve this dish over grains, noodles, or rice, sit back, and enjoy.
For a cool, creamy, delicious treat on a stick, you can’t go wrong with coconut and mixed berry popsicles.
Now, unless you need a few ingredients, there’s no need to go to the grocery store because this recipe will let you make popsicles far better than anything you’ll find in the frozen foods section.
On top of their incredible taste, these popsicles are also free of gluten, dairy, refined sugar, nuts, soy and are paleo-friendly!
This simple coconut chickpea curry tastes so creamy with the perfect blend of Asian spices.
Plus, it’s hearty and nutritious and super easy to make. This dish is designed to become a staple in your household.
The rich coconut milk blended with chickpeas delivers the smooth texture we all know and love, while the delicious veggies like garlic, tomato, and onions make their savory contributions.
Finally, you’ve got a pinch of cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder, adding spice and a unique flavor.
Banana tapioca is one of those relatively unusual coconut milk dessert with a creamy and chewy texture and the sweetness of coconut milk, banana, and tapioca pearls.
If you’ve never had tapioca pearls, these are jelly-like desserts made from different starches and are very popular in many Asian desserts and dishes.
Despite its unconventional texture, this dessert is absolutely delicious.
Now, you might want to start by making a smaller test batch first.
You see, some folks find that the tapioca pearls stick together or can easily overcook. Try a small batch first to see how they behave before adding more to your pot.
There’s a bit more of a learning curve with this recipe, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll be making this cool and sweet dessert like a pro in no time.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
