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I use coconut milk often and liberally in my kitchen. Its flavor packs a punch and enhances a myriad of dishes — from soups and stews to curries and baked goods. I also love using it in a smoothie recipe or simply sipping it on its own with a dash of cinnamon.

Up until recently, I was tethered to buying it in a can. But did you know you can easily make your own coconut milk at home with only two ingredients? It’s so easy! Let me show you how.

(Image credit: Gina Eykemans)

While I really love to use coconut milk in my cooking, I don’t always love the additives I find when reading the back of the can labels. I’ve been known to compare all the various cans at the market in order to find the one that does not contain any gums or other things I can’t pronounce. Straight coconut milk is surprisingly difficult to find, so I usually just opt for the can with the least amount of added extras.

This was why it was a real game changer when I was tipped off to the fact that I could easily make my own coconut milk at home. Now I know exactly what’s going into my coconut milk. There’s no comparing of labels and no sneaky extras.

Credit: Gina Eykemans

What’s a Nut Milk Bag and Can I Use Something Else If I Don’t Have One?

Nut milk bags make easy work of straining the milk, and you can find them at many natural food stores or on Amazon. But if you don’t have one, a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth is an effective and easy alternative. You can also use a clean tea towel — something thin with a loose weave like linen works best.

(Image credit: Gina Eykemans)

What’s the Best Way to Store Fresh Coconut Milk?

Fresh coconut milk can be stored in the fridge in the air-tight container of your choice, such as a large mason jar or swing top jar.

How Long Does Fresh Coconut Milk Last?

Fresh coconut milk lasts for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 3 months. It will separate after being refrigerated (or when thawed after being frozen), but this is normal. Give it a good shake and it should be ready to use.

How Do I Use Homemade Coconut Milk?

There are so many ways I love to use coconut milk in my kitchen! Most often, I use it as a substitute for regular milk. You might find me dunking the corner of a brownie into a glass of this stuff, or simply drinking it plain. However, its uses are vast and variable. You can use it in curries or in other Asian fare, or to flavor a pot of rice. Add it to a smoothie to make it rich and thick or use it in place of milk when baking. The possibilities are endless.

More Ideas for Using Coconut Milk:

Now that we’re feeling inspired, let’s get to making our coconut milk!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make coconut milk.

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A step-by-step guide to making coconut milk at home with just two ingredients.

Prep time 10 minutes

Makes 4 cups

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package
unsweetened shredded coconut
4 cups
hot (near boiling) water

Equipment

Measuring cup
Blender
Nut milk bag (see Recipe Note)
Medium bowl
Mason jars (for storage)

Instructions

Combine the coconut and hot water in a blender. Place the coconut in a blender. It may seem like a lot of coconut, but it is just enough to get the job done. Pour the water over the coconut.
Allow the mixture to rest. Let the coconut and hot water sit in the blender for a few minutes to give the coconut time to soften before continuing onto the next step.
Blend the mixture. Blend on high until the coconut is puréed and the mixture looks milky, 1 to 2 minutes. You will still have flecks of coconut in the mixture.
Pour the mixture into a nut milk bag. Open the nut bag and arrange it inside a medium bowl. Pour the coconut mixture from the blender into the nut milk bag.
Squeeze out the coconut milk. Cinch the nut milk bag shut. Take the bag in both hands and squeeze it out over the bowl. The finished milk should easily pass through the bag. Continue to squeeze and wring out your bag until you've extracted as much of the milk as possible. You can discard or compost the leftover coconut pulp in the nut bag; if you have a dehydrator, the pulp can be dried and used as coconut flour.
Bottle the coconut milk. Transfer the coconut milk into a storage vessel of your choice, like large mason jars, swing top jars, or other air-tight container. This milk can be used right away.

Recipe Notes

Nut milk bags: You can find nut milk bags at many natural food stores or on Amazon.

Storing and using homemade coconut milk: Store for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container, or freeze for up to 3 months. Your coconut milk will separate after being refrigerated (or when thawed after being frozen) — this is normal! Just give it a good shake and it should be ready to use. Use homemade coconut milk as you would any other coconut milk.

How To Make Coconut Milk at Home