32 Easy Coconut Milk Recipes That You Can Make With a Can of Coconut Milk
Use this pantry staple for smoothies, vegetarian dishes, desserts and more!
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In the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, coconut milk is a must-have pantry staple. Whether we're whipping up make-ahead breakfasts (hello, overnight oats!) and easy dessert recipes or simmering stews and soups, this delicious dairy-free milk alternative adds richness and plenty of luxurious flavor. If you're looking to use up a can of coconut milk, these coconut milk recipes are a great place to start.
We have great ideas to add to your weekly rotation from fan favorites like coconut chicken curry and a foolproof coconut milk rice recipe to some quick coconut milk desserts. And don't forget the drinks! Blend coconut milk into your morning smoothie, heat with invigorating spices to make a luxe latte or even whisk with a splash of rum to mix up a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Looking to make a vegetarian coconut milk recipe? Might we suggest our green soup with crispy air-fried tofu which comes together in only 30 minutes? Thanks to the addition of coconut milk, it tastes like it's been simmering all day long, and it's so rich that no one will guess it's actually a vegan recipe.
No matter how you plan to incorporate coconut milk into your next meal, trust that these dishes are creative, cozy and, of course, delicious.
Coconut Curry Chicken
A weeknight hero you'll quickly learn to master, this Indian-inspired curry is chock-full of hearty ingredients and ready on the table in less than 45 minutes.
Get the Coconut Curry Chicken recipe.
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Coquito
This creamy Puerto Rican rum drink is made with a trio of milks including coconut milk (coquito is “little coconut” in Spanish). Bonus: it makes a great food gift.
Get the Coquito recipe.
Fruit and Coconut Ice Cream
Cutting the amount of milk you use to make a coconut scoop actually only makes this ice cream, well, creamier.
Get the Fruit and Coconut Ice Cream recipe.
Green Curry Shrimp
Kaeng khiao wan, a green curry popular in central Thailand, is often made with goat. We swapped in shrimp for a flavorful supper that's ready in 25 minutes.
Get the Green Curry Shrimp recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Pork Chops with Coconut Rice
These glazed pork chops definitely look like they're the star of this dinner plate... but the reality is its this fluffy coconut rice, a side popular in Southeast Asia, India and Central America. Seconds please!
Get the Pork Chops with Coconut Rice recipe.
Coconut Curry Sauce
Three ingredients, including curry powder (a blend of spices originally made for the spice trade between India and Britain), take grilled drumsticks from average to amazing.
Get the Coconut Curry Sauce recipe.
Green Soup with Crispy Tofu
If you're looking to eat plant-based, coconut milk is the perfect dairy-free sub to make an extra creamy soup without any cream.
Get the Green Soup with Crispy Tofu recipe.
Coconutty Rice & Peas
This cozy recipe takes inspiration from the classic Jamaican dish, rice and peas. For best results, soak your peas on Sunday before cooking them up on Monday or Tuesday.
Get the Coconutty Rice & Peas recipe.
Instant Pot Beef Curry
Tender, flavorful beef in minutes — what's to thank? Your trusty Instant Pot and red curry paste, a popular ingredient in Thai cooking.
Get the Instant Pot Beef Curry recipe.
RELATED: 30 Best Instant Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners
Chilled Blueberry Coconut Overnight Chia
Fan of overnight oats? Try this prep-ahead breakfast which gets an extra thick and creamy texture thanks to chia seeds.
Get the Chilled Overnight Chia recipe.
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Butternut Squash Curry
This surprisingly simple one-pot dish is full of sweet squash and lots of savory flavor, and it only takes 45 minutes from start to finish.
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
Coconut Cream Pie
Coconut cream pie is the stuff that dreams are made of: Crispy, flaky pie crust filled with a thick, creamy coconut custard and topped with mounds of homemade whipped cream.
Get the Coconut Cream Pie recipe.
Make-Ahead Green Piña Colada Smoothie
Freeze your fruits the night before, then kick-start the day with a delicious and creamy power smoothie.
Get the Make-Ahead Green Piña Colada Smoothie recipe.
RELATED: 35 Healthy Smoothie Recipes That Are Easy to Make and Keep You Fueled
Vegan Chocolate Truffles
Decadent chocolate truffles usually contain heavy cream, but coconut milk works wonders as a substitute. Thanks to its fat content, it adds delicious richness (and flavor!).
Get the Vegan Chocolate Truffles recipe.
Grilled Chicken with Coconut Slaw
Coconut milk makes for a delicious dressing base on greens, too. This 5-minute slaw is tossed in fresh citrus and creamy coconut milk, no mayo needed!
Get the Grilled Chicken With Coconut Slaw recipe.
RELATED: 30 Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes That You'll Be Making All Summer
Shrimp and Coconut Noodles
You'll be simply amazed at how easy it is to prepare this insanely flavorful dish in just 20 minutes.
Get the Shrimp and Coconut Noodles recipe.
Coconut Chicken Casserole
Served over rice, this chicken curry's spice subtly builds, only to be soothed by the creamy touch of coconut milk.
Get the Coconut Chicken Casserole recipe.
Coconut Raspberry Smoothie
Coconut milk is a great addition to your morning smoothie routine. Plus, you don't even need to bust out your blender — this berry smoothie drink is made with an immersion blender!
Get the Coconut Raspberry Smoothie recipe.
Red Curry Shrimp and Cilantro Rice
The trick to a perfect sear on this curry-dressed shrimp is tossing into a hot pan alongside fresh vegetables; in this case, fresh bok choy.
Curried Coconut Lentils
Serve comforting tender lentils topped with big flakes of coconut chips, North Indian spices and plenty of fresh cilantro. And don't forget the naan to sop up all of the tasty sauce.
Get the Curried Coconut Lentils recipe from Delish.
Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, focusing on SEO optimization and other editorial strategies for four brands, including Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering health news, diet and fitness trends as well as executing wellness product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a strong background in women's lifestyle media with eight plus years of editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living after developing a nutrition background as an assistant editor at Cooking Light. Zee produces service-based health coverage, as well as design and travel content, for Hearst brands on a contributor basis; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.
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