Homemade Coconut Milk

Learn how to make coconut milk with this easy recipe. Unlike canned coconut milk, homemade coconut milk has an intense coconut flavor, making it well worth the effort! Start by blending water, shredded coconut and salt until it's smooth and creamy. Press the coconut mixture to extract the liquid and you'll have homemade coconut milk in just 15 minutes. Because there aren't any stabilizers or preservatives, the coconut milk will separate when chilled. Give it a stir before enjoying on its own, in smoothies or in any other recipe that calls for it.

Homemade Coconut Milk
Photo: Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 4 cups warm water

  • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut (such as Bob's Red Mill)

  • teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Place water, coconut and salt in a blender. Let stand for 5 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, arrange a double layer of grade 90 cheesecloth in a fine-mesh sieve (or line the sieve with a clean T-shirt or nut-milk bag). Place the sieve over an 8-cup measuring cup.

  3. Process the coconut mixture in the blender until very smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour the mixture through the prepared sieve, stirring and pressing on the solids to extract liquid. Gather up the cheesecloth (or other fabric) around the solids; twist and squeeze to wring out as much coconut milk as possible. (Reserve the solids for granola, fruit bars or oatmeal, or stir into sweet batters.)

To make ahead:

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Stir or shake before using.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

80 Calories
8g Fat
3g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 80
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g 2%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Sodium 84mg 4%
Potassium 2mg 0%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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