How to make homemade coconut milk using just two ingredients! Making your own plant milks at home means you can avoid plastic chemicals like BPA in the lining of cans and cartons, or the added sweeteners and preservatives used to increase shelf-life (and taste).
Plastic is something I’ve worked hard to cut out of my day-to-day life, and making my own coconut milk (and other nut and seed milks) has been an added benefit of doing that!
Reducing my plastic use benefits both myself and the planet, as now there’s no plastic waste left behind from the cartons, or plastic chemicals leaching into my food.
Going a step further, you can even make your own kefir or yoghurt with the milk, or add it to homemade shampoo!
Coconut is full of medium-chain fatty acids and lauric acid, adding so many wonderful benefits to your body and to your health.
Here is a simple method for making delicious, creamy homemade coconut milk from scratch!
Homemade Coconut Milk
This homemade coconut milk recipe is made from shredded coconut, but you can also make coconut milk from fresh coconut using both a young coconut and old coconut. However, the process is quite different.
I don’t have access to fresh coconuts, so shredded coconut is as close as I can get.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups filtered water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk)
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
Optional:
- 1 date or 1 tbsp maple syrup (or raw honey)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cacao powder for “chocolate” milk
- 1/3 cup fresh berries for “strawberry” milk
To make:
- In a blender, add the coconut along with 3-4 cups of water, and if using, any additional add-ins. Blend for about two minutes or until the mixture is well combined.
- Strain out the mixture using a nut milk bag or a very thin towel or clean T-shirt. Save the pulp to make coconut flour to use in baked goods, oatmeal, smoothies, or energy bites.
- Drink immediately or store in a sealed glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. As there are no preservatives or fillers used in the milk, the “cream” of the coconut milk may separate on top if stored in the fridge. If this happens, just shake it well before using.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Have you made coconut milk before? How was it? Share below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
