How to Make Coconut Milk

Check out this tutorial on how to make coconut milk with fresh coconuts or dried coconut flakes. It’s so easy and way cheaper than buying store-bought coconut milk.

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Check out these tutorials on how to make coconut milk. I show how to use fresh coconuts or dried shredded coconut. It’s so simple, economical and absolutely delicious.

Coconut milk is delicious in smoothies, curries and even non-dairy coconut whipped cream with berries. But you don’t have to reach for the canned stuff to enjoy it. You can easily make your own.

I’ll show you two different ways to do it – with fresh coconuts or with dried coconut flakes (the super simple way).

You can also keep the coconut pulp and make homemade coconut flour with this recipe to use for cooking and baking. I’ve got 100+ coconut flour recipes – for ideas on how to use coconut flour for breakfast, breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, main meals, and savory side dishes.

Ways to Use Coconut Milk

  • Add to smoothies
  • Pour over granola or other cereals such as porridge
  • Use to make chia pudding
  • Use for baking with
  • perfect for dunking cookies
  • Use in savory dishes such as curries

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coconut milk in a glass bottle next to an open coconut on a table

How to Make Coconut Milk 2 Ways

Don’t Mess With Mama
The process to make coconut milk from dried, shredded coconut is actually pretty close to making it with fresh coconuts without the hassle of cracking open a coconut. Here you can find both ways.
5 from 37 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 187 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Nut milk bag

Ingredients
 
 

For Making Coconut Milk With Dried Coconut

  • 2 cups coconut flakes unsweetened
  • 4 cups filtered water boiled

For Making Coconut Milk With Fresh Coconut

  • 2-3 fresh young coconuts
  • filtered water, boiled

Instructions
 

How To Make Coconut Milk Using Dried Coconut

  • In a Vitamix, combine the shredded coconut and boiled water.
  • Blend for about 5 minutes.
  • Pour mixture through a sieve or nut milk bag to separate liquid from coconut pieces.
  • Store coconut milk in the refrigerator to use as needed.

How To Make Coconut Milk with Fresh Coconuts

  • Either drill holes in the eyes of the coconut or use a knife to poke a hole in the eyes of the coconut. Drain the coconut water and set aside.
  • Take one coconut and find the seam that goes around it. Cover with a kitchen towel and hold still. Split the coconut open along the seam using a hammer. Keep turning the coconut while hitting it with a hammer along the seam until you go all the way around the coconut.
  • Once the coconut is open, scoop out the coconut meat and set aside. Repeat for all coconuts.
  • Rinse the coconut meat to remove all the brown outer pieces. In a blender, combine the coconut meat and coconut water. The coconut water volume can vary, so add boiled, filtered water to the blender as needed. I find a ratio of about 1 cup of coconut meat to 2 cups of coconut water or filtered water works best.
  • Blend coconut meat and water for about 2-3 minutes. Pour mixture through a sieve or nut milk bag to separate liquid from coconut pieces. Store coconut milk in the refrigerator to use as needed.

Notes

Keep the coconut pulp and follow this recipe to make Homemade Coconut Flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 154mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword coconut milk, homemade coconut milk
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Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com / tbralnina

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10 Comments

  1. I normally use a corkscrew to make a hole in the eye of the dry coconut instead of a knife. It’s safer that way. To get the pieces of the jelly out, I would first crack open the coconut and then use a heavy-duty butter knife. This is also safer as well.