Coconut milk is a fun ingredient to cook with because it gives dishes a rich texture and a tropical, exotic flavor. You can find coconut products in three main forms: liquid milk, thick cream, and powdered. You can often switch between them by adjusting the water content of your recipe.
How to substitute coconut cream for coconut milk
Coconut cream is thicker and richer than coconut milk. You can usually substitute it straight into a coconut milk recipe simply by adding more water. The general substitution ratio is 1 part coconut cream and 2 parts water for full-fat coconut milk, or 1 part coconut cream and 3 or 4 parts water for light coconut milk.
For example, you can “make” 3/4 cup coconut milk by mixing a quarter-cup of coconut cream and a half-cup of water.
Once you add the watered-down cream to your recipe, take a taste and add more water if needed. This formula can work well for drinks, soups, curries, desserts, and pastries.
Nutrition facts about coconut milk
Coconut milk has healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals in it. It has fewer carbs than dairy milk and has medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may help the body burn fat. But coconut milk has more saturated fat, so you shouldn’t eat too much of it as part of a healthy diet.
Recipes that use coconut milk
People love coconut milk because it has a creamy texture and can be used in place of dairy in many dishes, like:
- Panang curry
- Coconut pancakes
- Coconut ice cream
- Lentil dal
- Thai coconut soup
When to use coconut cream in recipes
Coconut cream is great for recipes that need a thick, rich texture because it is thicker than other creams. You can mix it with water to use it in liquid recipes, or you can use it straight up in desserts, curries, and baked goods. To switch between coconut milk and cream, you need to change the amount of water in them to get the right consistency.
FAQs
How are coconut cream and coconut milk related?
The white flesh of mature coconuts is used to make both coconut milk and coconut cream. To make coconut milk, you shred the coconut meat, soak it in water, and strain.
Making coconut cream is similar, but it uses less water, which makes the product thicker and richer. Coconut milk usually has 9% to 15% fat, while coconut cream has 19% to 22% fat.
Can you make whipped cream with coconut milk?
You can make whipped cream with coconut milk. For the best results, whip chilled coconut milk with vanilla extract and a sweetener.
Is there a substitute for canned coconut milk?
Yes, you can use watered-down coconut cream as a substitute. You can also use powdered coconut milk with added water. For other coconut milk substitutes, see: What can I substitute for coconut milk?
