Why you’ll love easy DIY recipe

Related ->> 30+ Recipes That Use Coconut Milk

What you’ll need

  1. Shredded coconut or coconut flakes – either will work just fine, just make sure you get unsweetened. You could use fresh coconut, but for ease and practicality, I chose flakes for this recipe.
  2. Water – filtered is best.
  3. Optional add-ins – maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract
  4. High powered blender – you need a high speed, powerful blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix for the best results.

How to make homemade coconut milk

It’s so very easy to make your own thick and creamy coconut milk at home, here’s how:

Overhead image of a blender with water, coconut flakes, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon before blending.
Grab all the ingredients and throw them in the blender.
Straight on image of a blender with water, coconut flakes, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon before blending.
Coconut flakes, water with optional add-ins of maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
  • Blend for 1-3 minutes. I usually feel like it’s the consistency I want after about 90 seconds.
  • Then, give it a taste test and add any additional ingredients – more water if you want it thinner, more coconut flakes if you want it thicker, more sweetener, etc. Blend again if you add more ingredients.
Adding a little maple syrup to the milk after blending and tasting.
After blending, taste and add more maple syrup if desired and then blend again.

How to strain and store homemade coconut milk

Once blended, you’ll need to strain out the pulp, leaving only the creamy milk in the jar for use and storage. Here’s how:

Pouring coconut milk in a jar with a nut milk bag for straining.
Pour the coconut milk from the blender into a nut milk-lined jar or bag.
Squeezing out a nut milk bag over a jar after blending coconut milk to strain the milk.
Squeeze the nut milk bag, wringing out all of the creamy coconut milk.
Pouring strained coconut milk into a mason jar for storing in the fridge.
Pour the strained coconut milk into a mason jar for storage.
Coconut milk in a mason jar for storage with a plastic lid.
Cover with a lid and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Tips from an expert home chef

  • Try covering the top of your blender with a towel to avoid any leakage when blending.
  • If you don’t have a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer, you can also use a thin towel or several layers of cheese cloth to strain out the coconut meal.
  • Use the strained coconut meal for baked goods, granola or add a little to a smoothie.
  • Your coconut milk may separate in the fridge, with a layer of fat at the top of the jar. Try giving the jar a shake to break it up. If that doesn’t work, toss it all back in your blender for a quick pulse or two to reincorporate the fat. I’ve only had to re-blend once and then it stays fluid for me in the fridge.
Overhead image of coconut pulp from nut milk bag after straining the milk.
The pulp leftover in the nut milk bag can be reused in a smoothie or for other homemade baked goods.
Coconut milk in a mason jar after the fat has separated to the top of the jar.
The coconut milk will separate like this when refrigerated. Give it a quick shake in the jar or blend it up to make it creamy again.

Some homemade recipes that use coconut milk

We have more! ->> Browse all of our coconut milk recipes here.

Homemade coconut milk in a bottle
5 from 7 ratings
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How to Make Coconut Milk (5-Minutes, 2 Ingredients)

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Learn how to make coconut milk at home in a blender in 5-minutes! Just two simple ingredients – shredded coconut and water. Grab your blender and let's go!
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Ingredients

Optional add-ins:

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Place shredded coconut, water and any desired add-ins to a high powered blender and blend until creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Give it a taste and add any additional add-ins to taste. You can also add more water if it's too creamy. Give the mixture another quick pulse.
  • Pour into a mixing bowl or cup lined with a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer. Squeeze out the remaining milk from the milk bag. You'll be left with just the fine pulp from the coconut flakes.
  • Store coconut milk in a glass jar with an airtight lid in the fridge for 3-4 days. Use the milk in any recipe as you would canned coconut milk. You can also use it in your hot and cold beverages and baked goods.
    Note: You may notice some separation after storing coconut milk in the fridge. Make sure to give the jar a good shake before using it. Or, throw it back in the blender for a few seconds to mix it again before using.

Last Step:

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Course: Drinks
Author: Erica Winn
Cuisine: American
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How to Make Coconut Milk (5-Minutes, 2 Ingredients)How to Make Coconut Milk (5-Minutes, 2 Ingredients)
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