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    Home > Recipes > How-Tos

    Coconut milk

    Published: Aug 2, 2020 · Modified: Oct 11, 2022 by Iosune · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Photo of 2 bottles of homemade coconut milk with the words how to make coconut milk

    Learn how to make coconut milk, a delicious and creamy kind of plant milk. It requires only 2 ingredients and it's ready in just 5 minutes.

    Photo of 2 glass bottles of coconut milk

    Have you ever wondered how to make coconut milk? It's actually a pretty easy recipe that requires simple ingredients. It's so creamy, delicious, and nutritious I really love it!

    This homemade version is healthier than the store-bought ones, as it's made with all-natural ingredients and doesn't contain any additives or preservatives. And it's affordable, dairy-free, and gluten-free. A win-win!

    Besides, what's great about making your own plant milk at home is that you can use the leftover pulp to prepare other recipes. Keep reading to see options!

    Coconut milk, a super creamy kind of vegetable milk with an amazing flavor. To make it you only need 2 ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and just 5 minutes of your time; it's simple, tasty, and wonderfully good!

    Contents hide
    1. How to make coconut milk - Step by step
    2. Pro tips
    3. Is coconut milk healthy?
    4. What to do with the leftover pulp
    5. Serving suggestions
    6. Looking for more plant milk recipes?
    7. Did you make this coconut milk recipe?
    8. Coconut Milk

    How to make coconut milk - Step by step

    Step-by-step photos of how to make this recipe
    • Add the shredded coconut and boiling water to a high-speed blender (photo 1).
    • Blend on high until the coconut is puréed and the mixture seems well combined (photo 2), for about 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Allow to cool and pour the mixture into a nut milk bag (photo 3).
    • Squeeze all the liquid out of the coconut until you’ve extracted as much of the milk as possible (photo 4).
    • Serve your coconut milk hot or cold.

    Pro tips

    • Using a nut milk bag is the most convenient, cleanest, and fastest way to make this recipe, but if you don't have it, you could also use a napkin, a cheesecloth, or even a fine mesh strainer.
    • I'd really suggest you use a high-speed blender for optimal results.
    • Add more or less water or shredded coconut depending on your taste or on what will you be using your coconut milk for.
    • For a creamy texture, use 3 cups of water (750 ml) and the same amount of shredded coconut.
    • For a thinner texture, use 1 cup of shredded coconut (250 ml) and the same amount of water.
    • In case you want your coconut milk sweet, feel free to add any sweetener you want once the milk is ready. If you use dates, add the milk and the dates to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If you use other sweeteners, just stir until well combined or shake the bottle or container until well mixed.
    • I've tried to make coconut milk with water at room temperature, but it's not the same, although it's a good alternative if you're in a hurry. The boiling water softens and steeps the shredded coconut, resulting in an easier blending and better flavor.
    • Classic coconut milk is made with fresh coconuts, but I find shredded coconut to be more convenient and the process is also cleaner and simpler. Feel free to use fresh coconuts if you want to.
    Photo of a bottle of coconut milk pouring the milk into a glass

    Is coconut milk healthy?

    Yes, it is! As long as you can consume coconut and are not allergic/intolerant, you can safely enjoy this delicious plant milk.

    What to do with the leftover pulp

    You can prepare plenty of different recipes with the leftover pulp! Feel free to make coconut flour or add it to your vegan protein shake, vegan milkshake, vegan donuts, or banana ice cream.

    Serving suggestions

    You can use it just like any other kind of plant milk. Feel free to add it to your favorite dessert, smoothies, cake, drink, or dishes like soup, curries, sauces, and so on. Feel free to add it to your favorite treats!

    You could also add some cocoa powder and any kind of sweetener to make chocolate coconut milk or spice it with cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, or even ginger. Go ahead and get creative!

    Looking for more plant milk recipes?

    • Almond Milk
    • Cashew Milk
    • Soy Milk
    • Rice Milk
    • Oat Milk
    Photo of a glass of homemade coconut milk

    Did you make this coconut milk recipe?

    Please leave a comment below, share it, or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!

    This post contains affiliate links so you can easily find some of the products that we used to make this recipe. If you buy any of them through the links provided (without any extra cost for you), we'll get a commission. We're so grateful for your support!

    Square photo of two glass bottles of coconut milk

    Coconut Milk

    Learn how to make coconut milk, a delicious and creamy kind of plant milk. It requires only 2 ingredients and it's ready in just 5 minutes.
    5 from 2 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Course: Drinks, How to
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 4 cups (1 l)
    Author: Iosune


    Ingredients 

    US Customary - Metric
    • 2 cups shredded coconut, unsweetened and dried
    • 4 cups boiling water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the shredded coconut and boiling water to a high-speed blender.
    • Blend on high until the coconut is puréed and the mixture seems well combined, for about 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Allow to cool and pour the mixture into a nut milk bag, a napkin, a cheesecloth, or even a fine-mesh strainer.
    • Squeeze all the liquid out of the coconut. Squeeze until you've extracted as much of the milk as possible.
    • Serve hot or cold.
    • Use the leftover pulp to make coconut flour or add it to your vegan protein shake, vegan milkshake, vegan donuts, or banana ice cream.
    • Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-7 days and shake before use.

    Notes

    • Using a nut milk bag is the most convenient, cleanest, and fastest way to make this recipe, but if you don't have it, you could also use a napkin, a cheesecloth, or even a fine mesh strainer.
    • I'd really suggest you use a high-speed blender for optimal results.
    • Add more or less water or shredded coconut depending on your taste or on what will you be using your coconut milk for.
    • For thicker, creamier milk, use 3 cups of water (750 ml) and the same amount of shredded coconut.
    • For a thinner texture, use 1 cup of shredded coconut (250 ml) and the same amount of water.
    • If you want your coconut milk sweet, feel free to add any sweetener you want once the milk is ready. If you use dates, add the milk and the dates to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If you use other sweeteners, just stir until well combined or shake the bottle or container until well mixed.
    • I've tried to make coconut milk with water at room temperature, but it's not the same, although it's a good alternative if you're in a hurry. The boiling water softens and steeps the shredded coconut, resulting in an easier blending and better flavor.
    • Classic coconut milk is made with fresh coconuts, but I find shredded coconut to be more convenient and the process is also cleaner and simpler. Feel free to use fresh coconuts if you want to.
    • Nutritional info is not accurate, as I discarded part of the pulp.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.6g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 7.9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 5mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 1.5g

    Update Notes: This post was originally published in January of 2019, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in May of 2022.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura says

      April 13, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      If I blend the leftover pulp will it turn to coconut butter?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        April 22, 2022 at 9:12 am

        Hi Laura! With the pulp, you can prepare coconut flour: https://simpleveganblog.com/coconut-flour/ 🙂

        Reply
    2. Bebe says

      April 06, 2021 at 2:50 pm

      A couple of questions: Does this make the type of coconut milk you get in cartons or the thicker one that comes in cans? Also, can I use a food processor? My blender died 🙁

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        April 09, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        Hi! The one you get in cartons 🙂 I think you could use a food processor!

        Reply
    3. tania says

      August 14, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      i made this and it tasted delicious, but regarding the leftover pulp, could it be turned into coconut sugar since i'm not into baking that much and i hate to see the pulp go to waste.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        August 15, 2020 at 10:48 am

        Hi Tania! Feel free to make coconut flour and add it to some vegan chocolate chip cookies, or to your morning vegan oatmeal, or you can even make some delicious energy balls with it 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ken says

      August 02, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      A better way for me for making my coconut milk is to just dip into my coconut butter that I have previous made and have a supply of, mix in the blender with hot water, and my presoaked dates and whala, a nice sweet milk with no pulp.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        August 10, 2020 at 5:09 pm

        Thanks for the idea Ken 🙂 Have a nice day!

        Reply
    5. Rose says

      April 20, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      for how long is the pulp good as protein powder??

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        May 04, 2020 at 4:11 pm

        Hi Rose, I think it could last 3-4 days. Have a nice day 🙂

        Reply
    6. ok says

      April 08, 2019 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      very guud

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        April 16, 2019 at 12:07 pm

        Hi there! Thanks a lot 🙂

        Reply
    7. Hilary Smyth says

      January 21, 2019 at 11:13 pm

      Love your simple recipes as I’m a reluctant cook!!
      Where can I get the coconut is it shredded fresh or dried?

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        January 22, 2019 at 11:30 am

        Hi Hilary! Thanks a lot 🙂 It's dried shredded coconut. I think you can find it at your local grocery store.

        Reply
    8. Diane says

      January 21, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      Nothing tastes better than coconut milk, thank you for sharing your recipe.
      My question is, can I let the coconut and boiling water cool down before adding it to my food processor or blender, my bowls are plastic and not sure it will take this kind of heat.

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        January 22, 2019 at 11:28 am

        Hi Diane! You're so welcome 🙂 I've never tried it myself, but I think it could work...

        Reply
    9. Gerry says

      January 16, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      I am about to make this but I have a dumb question, by shredded coconut I presume you mean dried shredded coconut, right?

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        January 18, 2019 at 9:37 am

        Hi Gerry! Yes, it's the dried one 🙂

        Reply
        • Gerry says

          January 23, 2019 at 6:36 pm

          Thanks, this works like a charm, much better than canned coconut milk!

        • Iosune says

          January 25, 2019 at 10:17 am

          Hi Gerry! So glad you liked it 🙂

    10. Connie says

      January 16, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      Himy first time reading your site. Im defenitly going to make these recipies.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        January 18, 2019 at 9:37 am

        Hi Connie! Hope you like them 🙂

        Reply

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