Leftover Canned Coconut Milk? Use it in One of These 15 Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to do with leftover coconut milk from can? ›

The Best Way to Store Coconut Milk

Simply mix up your can of coconut milk, and pour the contents into an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight, and then you'll have perfect coconut milk cubes ready to go whenever you need them! I use these in smoothies, pastas, and soups, and they all work well.

Substitute coconut milk for dairy milk in your favorite oatmeal, chia pudding, pancake, and waffle recipes. Blend it into smoothie to add a creamy texture or make a coconut milk-based smoothie parfait.

Canned coconut milk spoils quickly, so pour whatever you don't use into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, pop them out and store in a freezer bag. Add the cubes to the blender when making fruit smoothies, or to flavor a pot of hot soup or stew. The cubes may also be thawed overnight in the refrigerator.

Tips for perfect coconut whipped cream

Select a good quality brand of coconut milk (see recommendations above). Chill overnight, not in the freezer for best results. Chilling overnight is key or the coconut cream won't harden and will likely be too soft to whip.

We've found that leftover coconut milk will last up to a week in the fridge with no depreciation in quality, but we wondered if we could freeze it to make it last even longer.

Coconut milk is incredibly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory applications. In largely dairy-free Thai cuisine, explains Chongchitnant, it's used to add creaminess and fat to countless dishes, from sauces and dressings to curries and stews to puddings and dessert soups.

The taste of coconut milk in coffee is refreshing and slightly sweet. You can buy sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk to use in your coffee. However, most people prefer sweetened coconut milk. You will enjoy subtle hints of coconut flavor with creamy undertones and a refreshing finish.

Canned coconut milk is widely available and inexpensive. But you will need to stir or shake it. The fatty “cream” will rise to the top of the can over time, creating a dense layer that needs to be mixed back into the watery liquid below.

Coconut milk should be a creamy white color when it's fresh. As the beverage degrades, its hue may lose some of that vibrancy, and it'll shift to a darker or more muted gray color. And, of course, any visible mold or bulges in the can means the entire thing is likely contaminated and should be tossed in the trash.

How fast does canned coconut milk go bad? ›

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Unopened, canned coconut milk typically has a shelf life of 18 to 24 months. This duration can extend beyond the printed expiration date if the cans are kept in ideal conditions, which include a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures and sunlight.

Coconut milk is a natural fatty acid, which means it gives rich moisturization to your strands. Adding coconut milk to your hair care doesn't just restore your hair and scalp, it can also nourish and protect damage strands from breakage.

The fibers of a coconut husk can be woven into durable rugs and mat. The course fibers are very popular for door mats.

Coconut milk may benefit health in several ways, such as by stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It can also add flavor to sweet and savory dishes and serve as an alternative to dairy milk. Coconut water is the liquid inside a coconut, while coconut milk comes from the fruit's white flesh.

If the coconut milk has gone bad, it will smell sour and may contain mold. It may also appear chunky and darker in color and will have started to curdle.

Once opened, you should put any unused coconut milk in the fridge right away, where it can last for 7 to 10 days. However, some brands of coconut milk may last longer, up to 14 days.

Opened canned coconut milk lasts up to 5 days refrigerated. If the can is unopened, it lasts for 2 to 5 years: so the pantry is your best bet for long-term storage! But if you've opened the can, the best way to preserve it is in the freezer, where it lasts for up to 6 months.