What can I substitute for coconut milk?

Coconut milk is a popular dairy-free milk that goes well with both sweet and savory foods, like cakes and curries. It gives your dishes a unique taste and a rich, fatty texture.

You can use other dairy and non-dairy milk and cream products instead of coconut milk if you don’t have any on hand. You might have to change the recipe by adding more fat or seasoning. The final dish will probably taste and feel a little different than if you had used coconut milk.

Coconut cream, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, hemp milk, cashew milk, evaporated milk, spiced milk, rice milk, Greek yogurt, heavy cream, macadamia milk, and silken tofu are some of the best alternatives to coconut milk.

Coconut cream

Coconut cream is the closest substitute for coconut milk in terms of flavor, but you probably want to water it down to get the right texture. See our full guide: Substituting coconut cream for coconut milk.

Almond milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. You might want to add more fat and cut back on other liquids in the recipe.

Almond milk is a nutty-flavored, dairy-free option that goes well with many foods. It has less flavor and is more watery than coconut milk.

Soy milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. Use unsweetened soy milk so that the final taste doesn’t change.

Soy milk is another great option that doesn’t have any dairy in it. It tastes a lot like coconut milk. It has more protein than coconut milk, with about 7 grams per cup compared to 0.5 grams per cup.

Oat milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. Oat milk is sweeter than coconut milk, so you may need to adjust the sugar content in your recipe.

Oat milk is a good option because it is creamy and has a little bit of sweetness. It can be used in most recipes as a 1:1 replacement. Oat milk is great in coffee and lattes because it can foam. It does have more carbs than coconut milk.

Cashew milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1

Another dairy-free option is cashew milk, which has a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor. It’s not as common as almond or soy milk, but it works well in a lot of recipes.

Hemp milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. Hemp milk has a stronger, nutty flavor. Taste and add more seasoning if needed.

Hemp milk is a healthy drink made from the hemp plant that is dairy-free and high in protein and fiber. It works well in baking, but the nutty taste can be strong.

Greek yogurt

• Ratio. 1 to 1 plus 1 tablespoon of water for every 1 cup of yogurt.
• Tips. Add more water to thin the yogurt if needed. For best results, use plain or coconut-flavored yogurt.

Greek yogurt is a thick, creamy, high-protein choice.

Silken tofu

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tip. Put the desired amount of tofu in the blender and combine until it is smooth and creamy. You can add water to thin the texture as needed. You can also add a quarter-teaspoon or more of coconut extract for more flavor.

This coconut milk substitute is best for soups, curries, sauces, smoothies, and desserts.

Heavy cream

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. You might want to add some water to the heavy cream to make it less thick.

Heavy cream is a thick, dairy product that is often used in soups, sauces, and desserts. It has more fat than coconut milk so it replicates coconut milk’s richness. This chicken tikka masala recipe uses heavy cream instead of coconut milk.

Evaporated milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. You can use coconut extract with evaporated milk for more flavor.

Evaporated milk is cow’s milk with about 60% of the water taken out. It makes soups and creamy dishes thicker, but people who don’t eat dairy can’t use it.

Macadamia nut milk

• Ratio. 1 to 1
• Tips. If the dish lacks richness, add a bit of oil.

Macadamia milk is a good substitute for coconut milk because it is creamy and has a nutty flavor. This is especially true for baking and desserts.

Substituting for coconut milk FAQs

Last update on 2025-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API