I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to reshare this roundup. I first published it back in 2019 when I had 23 recipes using coconut milk, and now we’re well over 50. You could say I’m a *bit* of a fan of creamy coconut milk goodness, and I frequently go through cans of coconut for both sweet and savory recipes. Coconut milk is the true MVP of my pantry, and with these 50+ recipes using coconut milk, I promise it will be yours, too.
What is coconut milk used for?
The best part about cooking and baking with coconut milk is that you can use it almost all of the ways you’d use regular dairy milk or your favorite nut milk. It’s dairy free, slightly thicker, and more flavorful than regular nut milks, which means it’s perfect for adding a natural sweetness to simple recipes like my almond flour pancakes and the caramel in this incredible peach crisp.
What is the best coconut milk for cooking and baking?
I usually use a lite can of coconut milk when I’m cooking things like curries, soups, and savory sauces, as well as when I use a dairy-free milk in my baked goods. You can absolutely use a full fat coconut milk to add an even creamier texture to your dish – it’s all up to you! Full-fat coconut milk is delicious when added to coffee, and even whips into creams.
My go-to paleo frosting uses a can of coconut cream, which is even thicker than full fat coconut milk. It’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and whipping into a delicious mousse.
This week I challenge you to pick up a can (or 10) of coconut milk and try out these sweet & savory recipes. I broke these recipes down into:
- Breakfasts
- Smoothies (yes, they deserved their own category!)
- Soups & Stews
- Curries
- Hearty Dinners & Sides
- Drinks & Treats
From cozy soups to a fun coconut lime margarita to serve at parties, these recipes will be ones to make again and again. Enjoy, xoxo!
Breakfasts
Triple Berries & Cream Baked Oatmeal
The Best Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
Healthy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes
Vegan Paleo Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips
Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze
The Best Almond Flour Pancakes
Chunky Monkey Banana Baked Oatmeal
Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins
Healthy Chai Banana Bread with Salted Cashew Butter Vanilla Glaze
Smoothies
Refreshing Pineapple Kale Smoothie
Coconut Chocolate Zucchini Smoothie (with sneaky veggies)
Tahini Chocolate Coffee Date Shake
3-Ingredient Pineapple Mango Smoothie (with a fun boozy option!)
Immune Boosting Wellness Smoothie
Post-Workout Recovery Tart Cherry Smoothie Bowl
Sunshine Tropical Turmeric Smoothie
Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie
Soups & Stews
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs
Courtney’s Curry Chicken Noodle Soup
Healing Ginger Coconut Chicken Brown Rice Soup
Easy Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup (using canned tomatoes)
Golden Coconut Chicken Lentil Soup
Paleo Coconut Chicken Sweet Potato Noodle Soup
Vegan Coconut Tomato Lentil Soup
Vegan Curried Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Peanut Butter Chicken Soup
Healing Curry Butternut Squash Lentil Soup (with a slow cooker option!)
Vegan Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup
Golden Turmeric Chickpea Chicken Soup
Curries
Bright & Herby Lemongrass Chicken Green Curry
One Pot Butternut Squash Yellow Curry
Thai-Inspired Peanut Coconut Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry
Healing Lemongrass Chickpea Thai-Inspired Green Curry with Toasted Coconut Brown Rice
Nourishing Yellow Chickpea Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Brown Rice
Vegetarian Tofu Cashew Coconut Curry
Hearty Dinners & Sides
Firecracker Chicken Meatballs with Cilantro Coconut Pineapple Rice
Jalapeño Coconut Curry Chicken Meatball Bowls
One Pan Tandoori Chicken with Spiced Coconut Rice
One Pan Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
Vegan Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala
One Pan Thai-Inspired Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken & Rice
Sheet Pan Zucchini Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce
Vegan Macadamia Coconut Tofu Bowls
Vegan & Gluten Free Curry Chickpea Pot Pie with Sweet Potato ‘Crust’
One Pan Caribbean Jerk Chicken with Pineapple-Coconut Rice
How to Make My Favorite Coconut Rice
Jerk Chicken with Caribbean Rice & Mango Salsa
Spicy Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Sweet Potato Noodle Stir Fry
One Pan Creamy Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Couscous
One Pan Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce
One Pot Vegan Coconut Curried Brown Rice with Tofu
Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Peas (vegan & gluten free!)
Drinks & Treats
Almond Flour Strawberry Shortcake Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel
The Best Paleo Chocolate Cake with Paleo Chocolate Frosting
2-Ingredient Paleo Chocolate Frosting (plus TWO other ways to use it!)
My Absolute Favorite Healthier Hot Chocolate
Feel Good Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Bars
Orange Carrot Zucchini Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
24k Gold Vanilla Turmeric Latte
If you make any of these coconut milk recipes, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how you liked it! I’d love to see your creations, too, so share a photo on Instagram with #AmbitiousKitchen or in our Facebook Group. xo
6 comments
Hey! Do you have any tips on how to make the “cream” at the top of milk when it’s in the fridge? Every time I make coconut milk is different, sometimes I get it and sometimes I don’t!
Thanks so much!
(I am in love with your recipes, made the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today (all gone) and the quinoa taco meat is in the oven!)
chill it- one hour in a freezer, but better yet is 24 hours in the refrigerator
Thank you for sharing such great recipes that can be used with Coconut milk, I never knew that coconut milk can be used in so many recipes, will surely try and taste it ans give a feedback regarding at the earliest.
Absolutely! Enjoy!
Delicious de 24 gold vanilla turmeric latte! Enjoyed every drop!
Hug in a mug! 🙂