Easy Recipes Using Canned Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is one of the most versatile ingredients that I always keep on hand – specifically canned coconut milk.

Coconut milk which comes in a carton and which has the same consistency of dairy milk or milk alternatives is a great choice for milk substitutions; canned coconut milk, on the other hand, goes above and beyond being “just a substitute.” It works wonderfully as a substitute for heavy cream, but it also levels up any dish due to the silky, creamy and flavorful deliciousness waiting to be the star of your next meal. Below is a compilation of tried-and-true ways to use canned coconut milk ranging from savory main dishes to desserts to tasty drinks.

(Moving forward, all mentions of coconut milk refers to canned coconut milk.)

Cooking & baking with coconut milk

Entrées 

Butter chicken and naan

One of my favorite dishes to make at home is butter chicken. The spices and creaminess of the sauce is a homerun every time! It took awhile to find the right recipe and after a few trial-and-errors I have landed on Buzzfeed’s Tasty recipe being the perfect balance of ease and deliciousness. Where the recipe calls for heavy cream I often swap it out with equal parts of coconut milk. Paired with a side of rice and this homemade naan, this meal is a perfect dish for a night at home or a gathering with friends.

Coconut curry cashew chicken

Another winning entrée starring coconut milk is this coconut curry cashew chicken. This dinner is made in a slow cooker making for a hands-off dinner that allows you to go about your day and have dinner ready at the end of it. While the recipe calls for chicken and suggests specific vegetables, it is easy to make the dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding more vegetables. Really any vegetables on hand can make this meal great; some vegetables I like to add include cauliflower, chickpeas, snap peas, sweet potatoes and carrots.  

Creamy corn potato chowder

Nothing beats grilled cheese and soup when you’re looking for a cozy meal to warm up your day. This slow cooker creamy corn potato chowder is a hearty and delicious soup that can stand alone or pairs extremely well with grilled cheese, roasted vegetables or a side salad. Perhaps the best thing about this soup is the ability to keep almost all the ingredients on hand at all times. While it may seem like a simple dish, the combination of ingredients pack quite the punch of flavor!

Desserts

Coconut milk ice cream

Whether you’re looking for a dairy alternative ice cream or you want to be able to make ice cream whenever you want, coconut is the key ingredient. Due to the shelf stability of coconut milk you don’t really have to plan ahead or go shopping for ingredients to make ice cream — as long as you have a few cans on hand and some pantry essentials. Coconut milk makes the creamiest homemade ice cream that is incredibly easy to whip up! This coconut ice cream recipe provides multiple flavor variations and step-by-step instructions on how to make your own ice cream with or without an ice cream maker. 

Coconut milk caramel sauce

Homemade caramel sauce can be tricky but this creamy coconut caramel sauce recipe makes it achievable to do at home. You can make the sauce with or without the coconut extract, either way it will be caramelized deliciousness. Caramel sauce is great in coffees, over ice cream, to dip apple slices in, and even by the spoonful for a quick treat! Just like the ice cream, this caramel sauce is amazing because as long as you keep coconut milk on hand and a few pantry essentials you have everything you need at a moment’s notice!

Drinks

Iced coffee with coconut cream cold foam

If you’ve ever had cold foam or soft topping from a coffee shop in your iced coffees you may have wondered how to create it at home — coconut milk is the solution!

You can follow any recipe or your favorite go-to for iced coffee to start this drink out. There are many ways to make iced coffee. I typically don’t plan ahead with having chilled coffee on hand, but it’s really easy to make as needed. I usually brew my coffee twice as strong, let it sit for a few minutes and then add some ice to make it cold. If you are using solid sweeteners such as raw sugar, add it to the coffee while it’s hot; if you are using liquid sweeteners such as flavored syrups or maple syrup you can add it at any step of the process — I like to add it to my coconut milk.

Once your iced coffee is ready and you are ready for your soft topping, add some chilled coconut milk to a small, empty glass. It will take some trial and error to determine your desired amount, though I recommend starting around ¼ cup coconut milk. Grab your favorite hand frother and froth the milk until it is soft and airy. Pour over your iced coffee and enjoy!

Coconut milk piña colada

Whether you’re on a tropical beach or channeling the tropics to find your happy place, this piña colada recipe is sure to be a hit! 

As the recipe states, many other recipes will call for cream of coconut which can be heavy and overly sweet while coconut milk is the perfect balance of creamy and notes of coconut that pair so beautifully with pineapple and rum. If you can’t make it to the beach for this drink, it would be a perfect compliment to a summer barbeque or an evening at home. Omitting the alcohol will still be a delicious drink that can be enjoyed any time of day and brings a little brightness to the day. How could your mood not be lifted with a rich and delicious drink like this? 

Coco for coconut!

Keeping coconut milk on hand is a win-win due to the long shelf life and versatility. Once you open a can, the extra coconut milk can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days. You can also freeze the extra milk in an ice cube tray for easy grab and go portions or throw a few cubes into a smoothie. Have fun exploring these new recipes and the endless uses of coconut milk! 

Enjoy!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/LisaRedFern