How to Use Canned Coconut Milk + 50 Coconut Milk Recipes

If you often find yourself with leftover canned coconut milk, this post is for you! From breakfast to dinner to decadent desserts, here are 50 canned coconut milk recipes!

The Stuff I’ve Googled series is all about using up common leftover ingredients before you find them developing mystery mold in the far reaches of your refrigerator.

Here’s what we’ve covered so far:

• • Leftover Buttermilk Recipes
  • Canned Chipotles in Adobo Sauce Recipes
  • Leftover Egg White Recipes
  • Leftover Egg Yolk Recipes

Today, I’ve got over 50 canned coconut milk recipes to share, but before we dive in, I want to share a little more about canned coconut milk and why it’s a staple in my pantry.

Coconut Milk Uses

Canned coconut milk is naturally dairy free and has a range of uses. It has a very mild coconut flavor, so even if you don’t like coconut, you’ll likely still enjoy using coconut milk in recipes.

Coconut milk’s creamy and refreshing texture makes it a perfect fit for beverages and smoothies, like this Tropical Mint Smoothie or Orange Julius recipe. It’s also excellent in iced coffees, like this Iced Coffee with Coconut Milk.  

Coconut milk is also a great dairy free option for cereals, oatmeals, and even coffee creamer. 

Many traditional curries and Thai soups call for canned coconut milk, and it can also be used in baked goods. 

I’ve included many coconut milk desserts below, and you can even whip the separated layer of fat in canned coconut milk into a wonderful dairy free whipped cream!

How Long Does Coconut Milk Last?

Sealed canned coconut milk will last indefinitely. Once the can is open, transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and use within 4-6 days. 

Coconut milk can be frozen, but the liquid may separate. For this reason, I usually only freeze coconut milk for use in smoothies, where it will be blended up. An ice cube tray is perfect for freezing coconut milk for this use!

Can you substitute fresh coconut milk for canned?

In many recipes, substituting fresh coconut milk for canned will work  perfectly fine. However, some recipes (like coconut whipped cream) need a higher fat content in order to turn out properly. I personally prefer the richer and creamier texture of full fat canned coconut milk, but if you’re in a pinch, many of the recipes featured here will work fine with fresh. 

Canned coconut milk is unsweetened and unflavored, so if you’re substituting with refrigerated coconut milk, make sure you’re using an unsweetened and unflavored variety!

Coconut Milk Recipes

Coconut Milk Breakfast Recipes

Overnight Chia Pudding with Fruit from NeighborFood

Coconut Waffles from Belly Full

Pina Colada Pancakes from Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Banana Coconut Milk Pancakes from Chocolate Moosey

3-Ingredient Non-Dairy Coconut Coffee Creamer from Kitchen Treaty

Belgian Waffles with Banana and Coconut Caramel Sauce from Taste Love and Nourish

Banana Berry Crunch Baked Oatmeal from Spoonful of Flavor

Strawberry Coconut Polenta Breakfast Bowls from Running to the Kitchen

Strawberry Jam Breakfast Quinoa from NeighborFood

Coconut Milk Crepes with Lemon-Streaked Strawberries from ¡Hola! Jalapeño

Spicy Coconut Milk Clams from Nutmeg Nanny

Coconut Milk Recipes for Dinner (Main Dish)

One Pot Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk from NeighborFood (featured in collage)

Turkey and Butternut Squash Curry from NeighborFood (featured in collage)

Coconut Lime Chicken Drumsticks from Will Cook for Smiles

Coconut Mango Baked Chicken from Cooking on the Weekends

Pulled Tandoori Chicken from The Big Man’s World

30 Minute Dairy-Free Creamy Tuscan Chicken from Allergy Awesomeness

Honey Sriracha Coconut Grilled Chicken Fingers from Iowa Girl Eats

Coconut-Rum Grilled Shrimp from Home Cooking Memories

Coconut Pale Ale Curry Cod from The Beeroness

Easy Coconut Curry Shrimp from Eating Bird Food

Vegan Butternut Squash Bisque from The Roasted Root

Coconut Milk Soups

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Shrimp from NeighborFood (featured in collage)

Creamy Chipotle, Chicken & Tomato Soup from The Creative Bite

Creamy Thai Coconut, Chicken, and Veggie Soup from NeighborFood

Creamy Red Lentil Carrot Soup from Nutmeg Nanny

Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup from From Valerie’s Kitchen

Tom Kha Gai Soup from The Hungry Goddess

Thai Coconut Zoodle Soup from A Cedar Spoon

Salmon Coconut Chowder from Foolproof Living

Jerk Shrimp Stew with Cauliflower Rice from Food Faith Fitness

Chocolate Coconut Sheet Cake from I Heart Eating

Coconut Milk Dessert Recipes

Dad’s Coconut Cream Pie from Mom on Timeout

Banana Cream Parfaits from Wine Lady Cooks

Vegan Cranberry Cheesecake Bars from Natural Girl Modern World

Coconut Panna Cotta with Blueberry Sauce from The View from Great Island

5-Minute Chocolate Coconut Mousse from Meaningful Eats

Cookie Butter from Donuts, Dresses, and Dirt

Vegan Coconut Pudding from Texanerin Baking

Crock Pot Rice Pudding from The Roasted Root

Cookies and Coconut Cream Popsicles from The View from Great Island

Coconut Milk Ice Cream and Popsicles

Coconut Coffee Cream Pops from Running to the Kitchen

Strawberry Chia Coconut Popsicles from Cooking LSL

Coconut Ice Cream from Noshing with the Nolands

Mint Chocolate Chip Avocado Ice Cream from Peas and Peonies (pictured in collage)

Coconut and Peach Creamy Ice Pops from Will Cook for Smiles

Coconut Coffee Ice Cream from Baked by Rachel

Tropical Mint Smoothies from NeighborFood

Coconut Milk Smoothie and Beverage Recipes

Vanilla Iced Coffee with Coconut Milk from NeighborFood

Strawberry Coconut Smoothie from Mom on Timeout

Strawberry Vanilla Coolers from NeighborFood

Peppermint Mocha from A Girl Worth Saving

Toasted Coconut Frozen Hot Chocolate from Chocolate Moosey