Out of Coconut milk, one case
Coconut milk substitutes: dairy alternatives
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Heavy cream
Same amount as the coconut milk
For coconut milk, the best substitutes are Heavy Cream, Half and Half, and Regular Milk + Butter. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these coconut milk techniques for optimal results.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- sauces
One casethe full milk card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of coconut milk | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavy creamsauces | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Half and halfsauces | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Regular milk + buttersauces | 1 cup milk + 2 tbsp butter per cupWorks | Works |
| 4 | Coconut creamsauces | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Almond milk + coconut oilsauces | 1 cup almond milk + 1 tbsp coconut oil per cup | No verdict on record |
Heavy cream
similar taste and texture
Heavy cream provides similar richness and creaminess to coconut milk. Good for sauces, soups, and when you want the authentic coconut milk texture with easy preparation.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, when you want richness, easy preparation, most coconut milk recipes
Use heavy cream directly as a 1:1 replacement. It has similar fat content to coconut milk and works well in most recipes.
Half and half
similar taste and texture
Half and half provides similar richness and creaminess to coconut milk. Good for when you want the coconut milk character with a slightly different flavor profile.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, when you want creaminess, coffee drinks, most coconut milk recipes
Use half and half directly as a 1:1 replacement. It has similar fat content to coconut milk and works well in most recipes.
Regular milk + butter
similar taste and texture
Regular milk with butter provides similar richness and creaminess to coconut milk. Good for when you want the coconut milk character with a slightly different flavor profile.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, when you want richness, easy preparation, most coconut milk recipes
Mix 1 cup regular milk with 2 tablespoons melted butter per cup of coconut milk. This creates the same fat content and creaminess as coconut milk.
Coconut cream
similar taste and texture
Coconut cream provides similar richness and creaminess to coconut milk. Good for when you want the coconut milk character with a slightly different flavor profile.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, when you want creaminess, dairy-free recipes, most coconut milk recipes
Use coconut cream directly as a 1:1 replacement. It has similar fat content to coconut milk and works well in most recipes.
Almond milk + coconut oil
slightly different · similar texture
Almond milk with coconut oil provides similar richness and creaminess to coconut milk. Good for when you want the coconut milk character with a slightly different flavor profile.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, when you want creaminess, dairy-free recipes, most coconut milk recipes
Mix 1 cup almond milk with 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil per cup of coconut milk. This creates the same fat content and creaminess as coconut milk.
How it behaves in this recipe
Coconut milk is high in fat and provides richness and creaminess to dishes. It's commonly used in curries, soups, and sauces where you want dairy-free richness. The best substitutes maintain this richness and creaminess while providing similar functionality in recipes.
Tips for substituting coconut milk
9 tips- Coconut milk is high in fat and provides richness and creaminess to dishes
- When using heavy cream, it will be slightly thicker than coconut milk
- Half and half works well in most recipes but may be slightly thinner than coconut milk
- Regular milk + butter creates the same fat content as coconut milk
- Coconut cream is thicker than coconut milk, so you may need to thin it with water
- Almond milk + coconut oil works well for dairy-free alternatives
- For best results, use room temperature substitutes in cooking
- Coconut milk substitutes work well in curries, soups, and sauces
- In baking, coconut milk substitutes help create the same moist, tender texture
Notes on coconut milk
- Use heavy cream for similar richness and creaminess
- Use half and half for a similar fat content with slightly different texture
- Mix regular milk with butter to increase fat content
- Use coconut cream for a thicker, richer alternative
- For dairy-free options, use almond milk with coconut oil
Questions
5 questionsCan I use regular milk instead of coconut milk?
Yes, but you'll need to add butter to match the fat content. Mix 1 cup regular milk with 2 tablespoons melted butter for each cup of coconut milk needed.
What's the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?
Coconut cream is thicker and higher in fat than coconut milk. Coconut milk is more liquid and has a lower fat content.
Can I make coconut milk at home?
Yes, you can make coconut milk by blending shredded coconut with water and straining it. This creates fresh coconut milk with a more intense flavor.
Why do some recipes call for coconut milk?
Coconut milk provides richness and creaminess without dairy. It's often used in curries, soups, and sauces where you want dairy-free richness.
Can I use coconut milk substitutes in coffee?
Yes, heavy cream or half and half work well as coconut milk substitutes in coffee. They provide similar richness and creaminess.