Coconut Milk
A rich, creamy liquid made from grated coconut flesh steeped in water. Full-fat coconut milk is thick and luscious — essential for curries, soups, and desserts. Light coconut milk has about half the fat. The thick cream that separates at the top of the can is coconut cream.
Where to Find It
International/Asian foods aisle (canned, for cooking) or refrigerated dairy alternatives section (carton, for drinking). These are different products — canned is thick and rich for recipes, carton is thin and diluted for drinking. Do not substitute one for the other.
How to Pick a Good One
For cooking: buy canned full-fat (Thai Kitchen, Aroy-D, Chaokoh are solid brands). Shake the can — if it sloshes, it's thinner. For curries and rich sauces, you want full-fat. Check the ingredients: coconut and water only is ideal. Avoid cans with lots of gums and stabilizers.
How to Store
Canned unopened: pantry for 2-5 years. Opened: transfer to a glass container, refrigerate, use within 5-7 days. It separates in the fridge — stir or shake before using. Freeze in ice cube trays for long-term storage (up to 3 months).
Shelf life: Canned unopened: 2-5 years. Opened and refrigerated: 5-7 days. Frozen: 3 months.
Prepping Tips
Don't shake the can if you want the thick cream on top — open it, scoop out the solid cream for whipping or to start a curry, then add the liquid later. For curry: fry paste in the coconut cream until it 'cracks' (oils separate), then add the thinner liquid and other ingredients.
Substitutions
Heavy cream
Equal amountFor richness in non-Asian dishes. Not dairy-free. Won't have coconut flavor.
Cashew cream
Equal amountBlend 1 cup soaked cashews with 1 cup water. Neutral, creamy, dairy-free.
Oat milk (full-fat)
Equal amount (for soups only)Much thinner. Only works in soups and smoothies, not curries.
Common Uses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?
Coconut cream is the thick, solid layer that rises to the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk. It's about 20-25% fat vs 17-20% for the milk. You can buy it separately, or just scoop it off the top of an unshaken can. Coconut cream whips like heavy cream when chilled.
Can you use coconut milk from a carton instead of canned?
No — they're completely different products. Carton coconut milk (refrigerated section) is diluted for drinking, like almond milk. Canned coconut milk is thick and rich, meant for cooking. Using carton milk in a curry will give you thin, watery results.
Why does coconut milk separate in the can?
That's normal. The fat-rich cream naturally rises above the water. Shake the can before opening if you want it mixed. Don't shake if you specifically want the thick cream for whipping or starting a curry base.
Recipes Using Coconut Milk
5 recipes in our collection use coconut milk.
Nutrition
Per 1/3 cup (80ml)
Key Nutrients