Got a half-empty can of coconut milk after cooking that curry, and no idea how to use it within the next couple of days? You’ve probably considered freezing, but can you successfully freeze coconut milk?
Many recipes call only for half a can of coconut milk. If you’re like me, you don’t eat Indian or Thai dishes every other day, so that half-empty can might become a problem. It might sit in the fridge for a week, and when you’re ready to whip up another curry, it’s already bad.
If that’s you, you need a sustainable solution. One might be better planning, like scheduling two or three runs of the same recipe within a couple of days. Another idea would be to freeze the leftovers, so you can use them when you’re ready and willing to do so. In this article, we’re going to cover the latter option.
Please note that this article covers canned coconut milk, the one that’s used most often in cooked recipes (think curries, etc.). If you’re looking for ways to other milk alternatives commonly used in smoothies and pancakes, check out our guides on how to freeze almond milk or how to freeze soy milk.
Can You Freeze Coconut Milk?
Before we talk about freezing coconut milk, we need to talk about whether or not it makes sense to do so. If the frozen and thawed liquid turns out useless, there’s no point in freezing it whatsoever.
Fortunately, things aren’t that bad. Yes, the texture changes. The proteins and fat separate from the liquid (CI), similarly to what happens when we freeze sour cream or other fatty dairy products. But that’s not the end of the world.
Using freshly thawed coconut milk (photo below) in a dish isn’t a good idea. Your meal would likely end up an unpalatable mess of uneven texture, far from what you’re looking for.
Fortunately, you can fix most of the texture issues by running the coconut milk with a hand blender. Thirty seconds to a minute is enough to bring it back to life and make it usable in cooking. Here’s how it looks after blending (it’s quite thick, but it was thick to begin with):
To sum things up, coconut milk changes texture when frozen and thawed, but you can fix most of those issues easily. After blending, the liquid is ready for cooking in curries, soups, and the like.
How To Freeze Coconut Milk
The best thing about freezing coconut milk is that it’s super simple. There’s no lengthy prep, fancy tools, or anything else that might make your day miserable. All you need is a couple of airtight containers, and perhaps a measuring cup.
Here’s how it goes:
- Portion the leftovers into containers. If you won’t use all of the leftovers in a single dish, it’s best to portion them. Let each portion be exactly how much you need per dish. This way, you can easily thaw as much as you need.
- Seal the containers. Add labels if needed, especially if you have multiple containers, and each one has enough for a different recipe.
- Put everything into the freezer.
That was a breeze, wasn’t it? Three minutes, and no more spoiled canned coconut milk.
When it comes to how long those containers can sit in the freezer, there are no hard and fast rules. The quality of the coconut milk will gradually drop, but if you use it within like 2 to 3 months of freezing, it should turn out just fine.
How To Defrost Coconut Milk
Most popular thawing options for coconut milk are:
- Overnight in the fridge. Transfer the container into the refrigerator in the evening, and have the milk thawed in the morning. Of course, if it’s a big container, it might need more than those 8 hours to thaw thoroughly. The only downside is that it requires a bit of planning.
- In water. Submerge the container in lukewarm water, and leave it there until it thaws. When the water gets ice cold, consider changing it to speed things up a bit. You can perform the thawing in the fridge or on the counter. If you’re going with the latter, use the product right after it thaws.
Tip
Remember to blend the thawed coconut milk before using it.
Best Uses of Frozen and Thawed Coconut Milk
If you’re looking for some recipes to use that defrosted coconut milk, try the following types:
- Curries. There are thousands of curry recipes out there, and each one calls for coconut milk. Find a recipe that works for you and give it a try.
- Soups. Soups are another popular option when you’re looking for uses for thawed liquid.
- Pancakes. If you’re done with chicken curries and Tikka Masala soups, pancakes with leftover canned coconut milk might be exactly what you need.
Sources
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FAQs
It is ideal to pre-portion the coconut milk, whether in an ice cube tray, small plastic freezer bag or small plastic containers before freezing. This way you can use just a little bit or all of it, depending on the recipe at hand. Coconut milk will keep well for a month in the freezer.
Does coconut milk go bad in freezer? ›
How long can you freeze coconut milk? The general rule of thumb is one month. But as with any food, the less time coconut milk spends in the freezer, the better. With your coconut milk as fresh as possible, you'll be whipping up perfect curries and other delightful dishes in no time.
Can left over coconut milk be frozen? ›
Canned coconut milk spoils quickly, so instead of letting it go to waste, use this tip to take care of any left over. 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.
How long can leftover coconut milk last in the fridge? ›
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.
How do you revive frozen coconut milk? ›
Just stir it when you thaw it to reconstitute. Frozen coconut milk may become a little grainy. If this matters to your recipe (say, if you're adding it a curry and you don't want it to look grainy) simply give it a buzz with a stick blender and it will become creamy again.
How to tell if coconut milk is bad? ›
To know if your coconut milk has gone bad, smelling it is the first and best test. If the milk gives off a pungent or sour odor, instead of a neutral or slightly sweet smell, it's time for it to hit the bin. Another way to know if your coconut milk is bad is to see if it has curdled, which will turn it gritty or lumpy.
What does rancid coconut milk look like? ›
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.
What to do with leftover coconut milk from can? ›
Robin Shreeves joins Rachel in creating this list.
- Grab-and-Go Oatmeal Chia Cups. ...
- Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Mayo. ...
- Quick Green Curry Chicken with Zucchini Noodles. ...
- Curry Chickpea-Loaded Baked Potatoes. ...
- Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting. ...
- Coconut Banana Cream Pie. ...
- Vegan Chocolate Frosting. ...
- Paleo Hot Cocoa.
Spoiled coconut milk often has a distinct off odor or a sour smell that is easily detectable. It's advisable to: Smell Before Use: Always smell the coconut milk before using it. Any rancid or unpleasant odors are a clear sign that the milk should not be used.
What to do with expired coconut milk? ›
Ways to Use Up Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is an amazing ingredient to add to your food, just don't forget to smell it before use and you'll ace these recipes. If your coconut milk has gone bad, throw it away and buy a new can or carton.
Once any type of coconut milk has been opened, it will begin to spoil. Thicker coconut milks will stay good for seven to ten days in the refrigerator, while thinner milks will spoil in about seven days.
How do you store coconut milk long term? ›
The Best Way to Store Coconut Milk
This hack is so simple and easy, you'll wish you'd have thought of it sooner! Simply mix up your can of coconut milk, and pour the contents into an ice cube tray. What is this? Freeze overnight, and then you'll have perfect coconut milk cubes ready to go whenever you need them!
How long is canned coconut milk good for once opened? ›
Comparison of coconut milk shelf life
| Shelf life – room temperature | Shelf life – refrigerator, opened |
|---|
| Canned coconut milk | 2-5 years | 7-10 days |
| Carton coconut milk | 6-12 months | 7-10 days |
Jun 16, 2023
Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk
Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.
Can dogs have coconut milk? ›
Coconut milk is not toxic to dogs and can even offer a few health benefits, such as strengthening the immune system, freshening their breath, and improving the appearance of their coat. However, too much coconut milk or coconut milk-based foods might cause diarrhea or loose stools in your dog.
Is coconut milk healthy? ›
Like other coconut products, it may provide health benefits, although more research is necessary to confirm this. Consuming moderate amounts of coconut milk may help lower cholesterol and promote weight loss. The antioxidants it contains may also help protect the body from health issues.
How long does fresh coconut milk last in the freezer? ›
Coconut milk will keep in the freezer for about 6 months. Use silicone ice cube trays for easy removal. Blend your defrosted coconut milk before using it. Don't use defrosted coconut milk for a beverage in and of itself.
Can you store coconut in the freezer? ›
Shred or cut into chunks once out of the shell. Pack into FreezerWare™ storage container and cover with coconut liquid. Leave headspace room. Place dried coconut into into a Freezer Zipper bag and seal.
Why does my coconut milk look curdled? ›
Sometimes in cold weather, even when kept in a pantry our Coconut Milk/Cream may solidify or curdle. To regain the liquid aspect, simply heat up in a pan, sit the can in a bowl of hot water or directly spoon into your food and stir well.
