Coconut Milk Recipe

Coconut milk without preservatives or additives? This homemade drink recipe is perfect for your vegan diet! It’s a great alternative to dairy products, so you can still enjoy desserts, snacks, smoothies, and beverages with a milky quality!

Unlike animal milk, this fresh and natural coconut milk is dairy-free. It can be used as a milk alternative!

How to Make Coconut Milk

With this recipe, you can get all the nutrients from coconuts without artificial flavorings that can harm your health!

Coconuts

Coconuts have two components that can be part of your nutrition: meat and water. The flesh contains essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, copper, and magnesium. While water has phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. 

Drinking this beverage has numerous benefits. It’s an excellent milk substitute for those who are lactose intolerant. Vegans also use it in making beverages, baking, and other dishes. 

This milk is smooth and creamy regarding texture, without adding any creaming agents. It has a rich flavor of the combined tastes of meat and water. Moreover, it can have a nutty flavor and aroma due to its natural palate. 

Whenever I have coconuts, I make sure to make dessicated coconuts, Nigerian Egg Rolls, Coconut Chin Chin, and Coconut Rice!

Directions

1. Break the fruit into portions to expose the meat.
2. Transfer the coconut water to a separate container. 
3. Peel the skin and scrape off any specks of skin left.
4. Then, dice the coconut into small pieces using a knife for easier blending. 
5. Blend the coconut pieces with drinking water and coconut water in a blender or food processor.
6. To strain the milk, you can use a fine-mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or a nutmilk bag.
7. To extract all the milk, use a spoon to press against the strainer until all the milk has been pressed out. 
8. Pour the contents into an airtight bottle to store!

An optional step you can do is to strain the contents again to get rid of other particles. Don’t throw away the blended meat because this can still be used for other dishes. 

Now that you have your All-Natural Homemade Coconut Milk, you can use it for cooking, baking, drinks, desserts, and more! It’s delicious, healthy, and purely organic!

Tips

Buying coconuts

• One of the ways to choose coconuts is to shake them to check if it contains lots of water.
• You should hear and feel a slight sloshing sound when you shake it. The liquid inside is a sign that the coconut is fresh. 
• Moreover, check it for any cracks or molds. Be on the lookout for damp areas because cracks can occur.
• Also, don’t be afraid to choose heavy ones because they will likely contain more water.
• Touch the eyes of the fruit. You will notice that one of the eyes is thinner and softer.
• If you see mold growth in this area, then it means that it will start to go bad, and once opened, the water will already taste sour.

Opening a coconut

While some people might think that opening a coconut is difficult, it’s quite easy once you’ve had practice! 

1. First, locate the soft eye and poke it with the pointy end of a thin knife.
2. Turn your knife while pushing it in until you reach the center. If you find the coconut eye too hard to pierce, this might not be the soft eye. 
3. Once it is pierced, remove the knife, flip the fruit over an empty glass, and allow the coconut water to drip into the glass.
4. Set the extracted water aside for later use. 
5. To crack the coconut, you can use a clean hammer.
6. Hold it and continuously pound the center of the fruit while turning it.
7. Once you have opened it, you can proceed to the next steps of the recipe!

Storing coconuts

• If the coconut is unopened, you can store it at room temperature, which can last up to several months. However, if it cracks, place the portions in a resealable bag or airtight container. 
• Ensure that the container is tightly sealed to avoid spoilage. Put it in the fridge, which can last up to five days.
• On the other hand, refrigeration can only make them last up to two days if they have been sliced and peeled. 
• Sliced ones can also be put in a container in the freezer to last up to four months.
• Whole coconuts can be stored; it is always best prepared and served fresh to consume and absorb most of their nutrients and to prevent them from becoming rancid.

Preserving coconut water

• Coconut water should be preserved because it can be used for milk or other recipes.
• One of the methods to store the water is to put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to last up to two days.
• You can also strain the water before storage to eliminate any particles. Then, let it chill in the freezer for 30 minutes while the container is uncovered. Once chilled, tightly close it with a lid and store it in the fridge. 
• According to a study in Functional and Medicinal Beverages, once the liquid is refrigerated, it is not recommended to take it out of the fridge for longer than three hours. 
• The best way to keep coconut water fresh is to freeze it in ice cube trays, and once frozen, pop them out of the ice cube trays and put them in a freezer bag. Frozen coconut water can last up to several months.

Coconut milk without a blender

If you don’t have a blender, juicer, o food processor, there is still a way to make your coconut milk.

1. Use a knife to peel it and slice it into pieces that can be grated.
2. Once grated, pour in the water and coconut water. 
3. Massage the grated contents into the wet ingredients to extract more juices and flavor.
4. Then, strain it using a fine-mesh strainer while pressing the shaved coconut to extract excess residue. 

Coconut Milk Variations

Coconut milk is a great substitute for vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets. With all its natural components, you can trust that it contains no preservatives. 

But if you want to make this milk taste better, add some other safe ingredients. For instance, to lessen the acidity of coconut milk, you can add a pinch of baking soda. 

If you find the drink too sweet, squeeze in some lemon juice to counterbalance the strong nutty taste. You may also add maple syrup, honey, or even sugar. 

Recommended Tools

• Knife: Use the knife to open and slice the coconut into pieces. 
• Blender or food processor: To combine all ingredients, use a blender. 
• Fine-mesh sieve: This tool filters the coconut milk and removes any solid particles. 
• Spoon: Squeeze the milk out with a sieve and spoon.
• Airtight bottle: Store the finished product in a bottle.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn commission income from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

How to Serve and Use Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is best served immediately upon making it because it still holds the natural flavor and consistency of the milk. The best time to drink this milk is in the mornings, at least an hour before your first meal. 

Moreover, it can be served with cereal, soups, smoothies, and oatmeal. Make sure to use coconut milk for your culinary or even non-culinary needs!

Here are some recipes you can try with coconut milk:

• Avocado Banana Milkshake
• Overnight Oats
• Coconut Chin Chin
• Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake
• Strawberry Banana Milkshake Popsicle

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Since milk contains lots of water, it is not recommended to sit out at room temperature for longer than two hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is coconut milk good for you?

Coconut milk is healthy for several reasons. For example, according to a study conducted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it contains a component called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which help with weight reduction and waist slimming. 

This can also boost your immune system because of its lauric acid content. 

Are there side effects of drinking coconut milk?

When consumed in excess, it can cause digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. In rare cases, this can also trigger allergies and abdominal pain. 

However, these side effects can be easily avoided if coconut milk is consumed in moderation. 

Is coconut milk healthier than dairy milk?

Choosing between coconut and dairy milk depends on determining what your body needs. Both have their benefits, but dairy milk is better if you want to gain protein, lose weight, or consume more vitamins and minerals. 

Meanwhile, coconut milk may be preferred by 65% of the population that have lactose intolerance. It is also a great supplement to protect your heart from illnesses. In fact, in a study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, consuming coconut milk can help reduce cholesterol levels for a healthier heart.