50+ Recipes That Use a Can of Coconut Milk


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

Paleo Lemon Blueberry Bread

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 Gingerbread Muffins

Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins

Healthy Chai Banana Bread with Salted Cashew Butter Vanilla Glaze

two pineapple kale smoothies in glasses

Smoothies

Refreshing Pineapple Kale Smoothie

Coconut Chocolate Zucchini Smoothie (with sneaky veggies)

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Coconut Key Lime Pie Smoothie

Tahini Chocolate Coffee Date Shake

3-Ingredient Pineapple Mango Smoothie (with a fun boozy option!)

Carrot Cake Smoothie

Immune Boosting Wellness Smoothie

Post-Workout Recovery Tart Cherry Smoothie Bowl

Sunshine Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie

tomato orzo soup in a bowl

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

The Best Dal Ever

Healing Curry Butternut Squash Lentil Soup (with a slow cooker option!)

Vegan Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup

Golden Turmeric Chickpea Chicken Soup

one pot chicken green curry in a bowl with rice

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

firecracker chicken meatballs in a skillet with a spoon

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!)

gluten free strawberry shortcake cake on a cake stand

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!)

Coconut Lime Margarita

My Absolute Favorite Healthier Hot Chocolate

Feel Good Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Creamy Chai Ginger Latte

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

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