Once you learn how to make coconut milk from shredded coconut, you will never need to buy canned coconut milk again. You will be amazed at how easy the homemade version is to make since it only takes a few minutes and requires just two simple ingredients to make at home.
Now you can easily avoid additives and preservatives found in commercial coconut milk, while also avoiding the extra cost when buying from the grocery store.
Why Learn How to Make Coconut Milk?
Making your own coconut milk puts you in charge of what goes into your plant-based milk.
This is especially important for those of us with food allergies or anyone who is following a restrictive diet such as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or GAPS.
Many store-bought coconut milk brands include guar gum and other stabilizers that can cause digestive discomfort for some individuals.
Additionally, making your own allows you to be in control of what types of sweeteners go into this unsweetened coconut milk.
Now you can reap the health benefits of this wonderful alternative to regular milk without having to worry about the additives.
This is an easy way to get your daily values of healthy fats like fatty acids and lauric acid, without the potential drawbacks of added sugars or artificial ingredients found in many store-bought alternatives.
Lauric acid, in particular, is a unique component of coconut milk known for its potential immune-boosting properties.
Incorporating this easy homemade coconut milk into your diet can help support overall well-being and replace dairy products with a nutritious and flavorful plant-based alternative.
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Ingredients
There are only two ingredients needed to make your own homemade fresh coconut milk, hot water and dried coconut.
You can increase or decrease this ratio to achieve your desired consistency.
Step 1: Process Shredded Coconut
The first step is to add the shredded coconut to a food processor.
Process on high for about 1-2 minutes while heating up water, not quite to boiling but very hot.
Step 2: Add Water
The next step is to add the water to the food processor and set it to high again.
Allow the two ingredients to mix together for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Strain the Coconut Milk
The last step is to use a fine mesh strainer to separate the full-fat coconut milk from the flakes that didn’t break down in the process.
Press against the coconut flakes with a spoon to push the liquid through the strainer.
Step 4: Pour into a Container
Allow the milk to come down to room temperature and then pour it into an airtight storage container.
Recipe Notes for How to Make Coconut Milk
A good rule of thumb for making your own coconut milk is to use one cup of water for every one cup of shredded coconut. If you want thicker creamier coconut milk, just use less water and more coconut.
Storage Tips
Store your homemade milk in glass jars or any airtight container of your choosing. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The coconut cream and water may separate upon storage so give it a good shake or stir well before using again after storage.
Yes, you can make this simple recipe from a whole coconut, but it requires a bit more effort.
First, you need to pick out a mature coconut by giving it a good shake, young coconuts will not have as much liquid inside. Also inspect the thin brown skin on the exterior of the mature coconut for any signs of mold, as this can indicate spoilage.
Then pry the hard brown coconut open and use a vegetable peeler to remove the small pieces of the white coconut flesh from the inner shell.
After that, cut the coconut flesh into smaller pieces to aid in the blending process. then follow the recipe here for making coconut milk from shredded dry coconut.
Yes! Add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut or fresh coconut meat to a high-speed blender along with 1 cup of filtered or Spring water, and blend.
For a more intense flavor to please any coconut lover, you can simply reduce the cups of water or increase the amount of coconut flesh to achieve the perfect consistency.
A young Thai coconut is a tropical delight, renowned for its rejuvenating properties. Encased in a vibrant green shell, it harbors tender, snow-white flesh brimming with essential vitamins, minerals, and revitalizing electrolytes.
It makes a great addition to your post-workout routine as it can help replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, aiding in a faster recovery and ensuring you stay hydrated and energized after a challenging exercise session.
One of my favorite ways to make the perfect coconut milk is to follow this recipe and add maple syrup or honey. Adding these ingredients can also help to turn the liquid into a more thick coconut milk.
Recommended Tools
This recipe comes together easily with the use of a food processor although you could use a high speed blender instead for this homemade coconut milk recipe.
Another tool that is needed for this flavorful coconut milk is a fine mesh strainer. This tool helps to separate the grated coconut mixture from the warm water.
You could use a cheese cloth, a nut milk bag, muslin cloth, or even a kitchen towel but it takes more time and isn’t quite as effective.
Plus, if you are making several cups of coconut milk, there will be a lot of coconut pieces and water to run through the nut bag so this will take a long time to complete although not impossible.
Related Recipes
This non-dairy milk recipe is perfect for making all of your favorite things from coffee to ice cream, and even a coffee ice cream recipe perfect for Keto.
It lends its creamy texture to lots of recipes and can be used in a variety of different ways.
Replace oat milk with coconut milk in your recipes to impart a delightful tropical twist and enjoy its rich, creamy texture that enhances the flavor and consistency of your culinary creations like chia pudding or coconut yogurt.
The most common use for full fat coconut milk among specific carbohydrate dieters is ice cream. You may enjoy these easy ice cream recipes that use a coconut milk base.
3 Ingredient Coconut Ice Cream Recipe
Clean Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
If you are interested in learning how to make your own nut milks, you should check out this post sharing how to make almond milk.
This dairy-free milk recipe includes step-by-step instructions to make the process easy and guarantee you are happy with the end result.
Don’t miss this “noatmeal” coconut cookie recipe made from leftover coconut pulp or my recipe for homemade coconut flour which will be added to the site soon.
Be sure to sign up for the free newsletter and follow along on social media so you don’t miss a recipe again.
How to Make Coconut Milk
Learn how to make coconut milk from shredded coconuts in just five minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Coconut Flakes
- 1 Cup Water
Instructions
The first step is to add the shredded coconut to the food processor.
Process on high for about 1-2 minutes while heating up water, not quite to boiling but very hot.
The next step is to add the water to the food processor and set it to high again.
Allow the two ingredients to mix together for 2-3 minutes.
Then use a fine mesh strainer to separate the full-fat coconut milk from the flakes that didn't break down in the process.
Press against the coconut flakes with a spoon to push the liquid through the strainer.
Allow the milk to come down to room temperature then pour it into an airtight storage container.
Notes
A good rule of thumb for making your own coconut milk is to use one cup of water for every one cup of shredded coconut.
If you want thicker creamier coconut milk, just use less water and more coconut.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 48Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 31mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 0g
The nutrition in recipes is caluculate by AI, mistakes happen. It is highly recommended to check carb counts to make sure these recipes fit into your diet.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.