BBC

Coconut milk recipes

Coconut milk

Coconut milk is not the liquid from inside the nut, but the extract of freshly grated coconut flesh. The flesh is first soaked in hot water, then allowed to cool, after which the liquid is strained off. This process that yields both coconut milk and coconut cream. The two liquids will separate when left to stand: the thick white cream will rise to the surface of the liquid leaving the clear watery milk below. Coconut milk gives a distinctive taste and smoothness to curries, sauces and rice.

Recipes using coconut milk

Main course

Light meals & snacks

Brunch

Starters & nibbles

Side dishes

Desserts

Cakes and baking

Drinks and cocktails

Other

See all recipes using coconut milk

Buyer's guide

Coconut milk is available canned from Asian and Caribbean stores and larger supermarkets.

Other considerations

If you're dairy-intolerant, coconut milk and cream are an excellent alternative to cows' milk in some cooked dishes (provided you like its quite strong coconut flavour).

Quick recipe finder

Type the ingredients you want to use, then click Go. For better results you can use quotation marks around phrases (e.g. "chicken breast"). Alternatively you can search by chef, programme, cuisine, diet, or dish (e.g. Lasagne).

See more coconut recipes