30 Easy Coconut Milk Recipes

Coconut milk is something that you often have lurking at the back of your cupboard but you are never quite sure what to do with it. It is also an ingredient that is readily available from almost any grocery store.

There are lots of exciting recipes you can make with coconut milk that will stimulate your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. 

30 Easy Coconut Milk Recipes

We have put together a list of the 30 best recipes with coconut milk that are easy to make. Have fun trying some new foods and cooking these meals for your friends and family. Whether you are looking for a curry, a dessert, a soup or a side dish, this list has it all.

There are vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes, dairy-free recipes, egg-free recipes, and gluten free recipes. And this is one of the great things about coconut milk – if you have friends or family with different dietary requirements you can still cook them something tasty with coconut milk. 

Keep reading to find your new favorite recipe with coconut milk whilst broadening your culinary horizons. Your weekly meal plan will never feel dull and repetitive again! 

Fluffy Coconut Rice

We’re starting our easy coconut milk recipes with something that look sounds simple, but many people get wrong.

Cooking the perfect fluffy rice can be a challenge, and it’s even trickier to get your coconut rice bang on. The creaminess of the coconut milk can sometimes make the rice go gooey instead of fluffy. With this recipe, you can get the perfect coconut rice every time.

What’s more, coconut rice is perfect with curries or on the side of grilled meats. Once you have tried this recipe you will be cooking it all of the time. Your family will love the sweet and nutty flavour of this rice. 

If you have an event to cater and love the flavours of India, check out the food from Jolly Catering. Their curries are delicious.

Malai Prawn Curry 

Malai prawn curry is a very creamy prawn curry made with coconut milk. It is a popular dish in India, with a strong spice blend contrasted with the mild coconut milk to create a perfectly balanced taste.

If you leave the heads of the prawns on when you put them in the curry it adds another level of delicious seafood flavour. We recommend trying it. However, if you prefer shelled prawns in your curry then it will still taste amazing. Tiger prawns are best, but any large prawns will work.

Malai is traditionally served with jeera rice, but you can serve it with pilau rice, coconut rice, or naan bread if you prefer. 

Not sure where to grab some Indian food in Sydney? See our guide.

Coconut Milk Layer Cake

Coconut sponges are light, fluffy and nutty. This sweet and delicate cake uses coconut milk, desiccated coconut and coconut essence to create a sweet, moreish flavour. The cake is topped with fresh whipped cream and then decorated with flowers in this recipe.

Alternatively, you could decorate it with fresh fruit like mangoes or pineapple that would complement the flavour of the coconut. Or you could use chocolate shavings, as coconut and chocolate are a great combination.

This cake is perfect for enjoying on a summer day with an iced coffee. 

Can’t get enough of fragrant Mangoes? Check out our Best Mango Recipes.

Chicken Massaman Curry

Massaman curry is a creamy, nutty sensation, with coconut milk and peanut butter. The nutty flavours are accompanied by fragrant ginger, spicy curry paste and zesty lime to create a wonderful aromatic taste.

This recipe uses chicken, but it would also work really well with beef. The only vegetables used in this recipe are potatoes, but if you want to add more vegetables in then you can. Onions, bell peppers, zucchini and sweet potato would go really nicely with the flavours of this dish.

To make this a vegetarian meal, replace the meat with chickpeas and sweet potato. Alternatively, you could add tofu or Quorn pieces.

Us Aussies love our Thai food. If you live in Adelaide and don’t feel like cooking it yourself, try these Thai Restaurants

Chinese Raspberry Snowflake Cake

This delicate and pretty cake is usually served cold as a refreshing, sweet snack on a warm day. It is made from coconut milk, double cream, potato starch, gelatine, raspberries and sugar. Then it is decorated with desiccated coconut.

The sweetness of the coconut and the sugar is balanced by the sharpness of the raspberries. It is an eggless cake so is ideal for anyone with an egg allergy. You could serve this at your next garden party as something a bit different for your guests. 

There are some wonderful sweet treats in Chinese cuisines. Here are some of our top Traditional Chinese Desserts.

 Strawberry and Coconut Milk Popsicles (Iced Lollies)

These popsicles are another example of a refreshing treat for a warm day. They are dairy free and made from all natural ingredients, so they are better for you than store bought popsicles.

Only three ingredients are needed – coconut milk, fresh or frozen strawberries, and a little bit of maple syrup for sweetness. You don’t need much maple syrup because the strawberries are already quite sweet. Honestly, easy coconut milk recipes just don’t get any tastier.

This recipe is suitable for vegans and is so easy to make- simply blitz all of the ingredients in a blender, scoop it into your popsicle molds, then freeze for four hours. 

Do you follow a plant-based diet? Here are our go-to Vegetarian Restaurants in Melbourne.

Coconut and Turmeric Fish Curry 

Eating fish curry is a great way to get more Omega 3 into your diet along with healthy fats. This curry is delicate but flavoursome, with tender fish that has been poached in the creamy sauce.

The coconut milk adds sweetness, the ginger adds fragrance, and the turmeric and garam masala bring the warmth and depth of flavour. If you add a spritz of fresh lemon juice to the curry just before serving it lifts the dish with a zesty zing.

You can serve this curry with plain basmati rice or coconut rice, and you might want some soft naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce. 

Fish and seafood are full of nutrients and most of us should eat more of them. Take a look at our Easy Seafood Recipes and see if you inspire you.

Vegan Mango and Coconut Ice Cream

This recipe for mango and coconut ice cream is so simple- there are only three ingredients. It is rich and creamy, with coconut milk instead of dairy which makes it suitable for vegans. All you do is chop up the mangoes and blend them with the coconut milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

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A little bit of maple syrup is added for sweetness, although if your mangoes are ripe enough this step might not be necessary. Lastly, the mixture is poured into a container and then frozen until it can be scooped. 

What could be simpler? Pop it at the top of your list of easy coconut milk recipes.

Bibingka – Filipino Coconut Rice Cakes

These tasty treats are gluten free and make the perfect snack to enjoy with your coffee. They are sweet but light, and very addictive! The main ingredients are rice flour, coconut milk, eggs, sugar, butter and baking powder.

The cakes are traditionally cooked in banana leaves for extra sweetness and softness, but using greaseproof or parchment paper works just fine. You can keep these cakes in an airtight container for several days, or in the fridge for a week or two.

Though they probably won’t be around for that long. Once your family gets a taste of these cakes they won’t be able to get enough. Add it to your list of easy coconut milk recipes.

If you like the sound of these, why not try some of our other Filipino Dessert Recipes?

Jamaican Bammies – Cassava Bread

Cassava bread is a thick, flat bread that is used to soak up the juices of different meals and is also enjoyed with fried fish or salt fish. Cassava is a starchy root of tropical trees. The cassava is grated and then drained of liquid, seasoned with salt, then fried.

Whilst the cassava is in the pan it is shaped into a round cake. Once all of the ‘bammies’ are fried, they are soaked in coconut milk for 10 minutes. After that, they are deep fried or baked to give them a nice golden brown colour. 

Javanese Chicken and Coconut Curry

Javanese chicken and coconut curry, also known as opor ayam, is an Indonesian curry. It is flavoured with coriander seeds, toasted macadamia nuts, ginger, garlic and chilli. This creates a warm and fragrant combination, which is then balanced by the coconut milk.

You can use whatever cut of chicken you prefer for this dish, but boneless chicken thighs work really well because they are juicy and go very tender in the sauce. To up the flavour, brown the chicken before adding it to the curry.

This curry is gluten free and dairy free so it is great for people with dietary restrictions. 

In Brisbane and on the look out for a good Asian Restaurant? Here’s our guide to help you.

Thai Basil Prawns (Shrimp)

If you want to try some authentic Thai street food without leaving your house then look no further. This recipe for spicy, fragrant prawns will blow you away with its delicious flavours and textures. Moreover, you can switch out the prawns for any kind of meat or seafood and it will work just as well.

This meal is usually served with rice and a fried egg.You can choose whatever kind of rice you like but jasmine rice is a good option. With the fresh flavours of lime juice, basil, ginger, garlic and punchy fish sauce, we guarantee you will cook this recipe again and again. 

Searching for an authentic Thai Restaurant in Sydney? See our recommendations.

Vegan Swedish Meatballs

The two signature features of Swedish meatballs are the tasty ground meat and the rich creamy gravy. It seems like this would be impossible to recreate those elements using only vegan ingredients, but this recipe does just that.

Ground beef substitute is used to make the meatballs, which are flavoured with onion powder, chopped onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper. The meatballs are bound together with panko breadcrumbs, coconut milk and olive oil instead of egg.

The addition of coconut milk makes the gravy rich and creamy. Dijon mustard, vegetable powder, soy sauce, onion and garlic enhance the flavour of this sauce. You can serve these meatballs with rice or mashed potatoes. 

Are you vegetarian and struggling to find places to eat in Sydney? Let us help you.

Pina Colada Trifle

This pina colada trifle is a show stopping layered dessert with tropical flavours and a bit of rum. It is perfect for a summer celebration or to serve as dessert at a dinner party to make a change from the classic trifle.

The biscuits are soaked in pineapple juice and coconut rum, and the custard is made with coconut milk instead of normal milk to give it that irresistible tropical taste. With pineapple jelly, caramelised pineapple and fresh cherries, this dessert is a real treat. 

And whilst we’re touching on pina coladas, here are some of our favourite Classic Cocktail Recipes.

Coconut Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is a classic dessert that is starchy and rich, and often associated with winter due to the nutmeg spices. This recipe is a more summery version of rice pudding, with coconut milk and raspberries. It’s a spin on a classic that more than deserves its place amongst our easy coconut milk recipes.

The sweet coconut is balanced by the fresh, tart raspberries to create a creamy and fruity dessert that the whole family will love. 

Ordering Hello Fresh is a great way to expand your recipe repertoire.

Coconut French Toast

French Toast is a delicious breakfast that is sweet and satisfying. This dairy free version replaces the milk based batter with coconut milk. It’s a delightful tropical twist on this well-known dish. And don’t worry – it still has that vanilla sweetness that you know and love.

You can dust the french toast with cinnamon and sugar, and even top it with desiccated coconut and sliced bananas for a fancy finish. This is the perfect breakfast to enjoy on a Saturday morning with a coffee – perhaps a coconut latte. 

Does lactose cause you discomfort? Or are you following a vegan diet? See our Dairy-free Desserts for some ideas.

Vegan Carrot and Coconut Milk Soup

A nice, comforting creamy soup is always a welcome meal when you want something nourishing. This carrot and coconut soup is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables in a super tasty dish. The inclusion of curry powder and a bit of ginger gives it an aromatic warmth.

If you like your food spicy then feel free to add some chilli powder or chilli flakes to give this soup a fiery kick. Serve it with warm crusty bread for ultimate comfort. 

Thai Green Curry

Thai green curry is the perfect weeknight meal if you want something super tasty but you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen. It is ready in just 30 minutes and is packed with juicy chicken and tasty vegetables.

It’s also totally yummy, so should be on our list of easy coconut milk recipes.

The coconut milk makes it creamy and sweet whilst the Thai green curry paste brings a bit of spice and lots of lovely fragrant flavours. Alternatively, you can have a go at making your own curry paste if you want to make the curry from scratch.

You can serve this curry with steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice. 

Looking for a stand-out Thai Restaurant in Perth? See our recommendations.

Tembleque – Puerto Rican Coconut Pudding

This is a really simple dessert that tastes amazing and looks very impressive, especially if you set it in a decorative bundt pan. It only takes 20 minutes to prepare with a few hours of chilling time. We think it is ideal to make in advance of a dinner party or family gathering.

It is essentially a set coconut custard that you can garnish with whatever you fancy. Toasted almonds, fresh fruit, shavings of chocolate are all great accompaniments. It’s a chance to get creative and put your own stamp on it. Traditionally it is served dusted with cinnamon and sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes. 

Chocolate! You can never have too many Chocolate Dessert Recipes to fall back on. Here are some of our most-loved.

Tom Yum Soup

Tom yum soup is one of the most popular kinds of Thai soup, packed with intoxicating flavours. The chicken stock is spiked with fragrant lemongrass and ginger, punchy garlic, zesty lime and a kick of chilli.

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Coconut milk adds a creaminess to the soup, and the prawns are perfectly succulent and juicy. If you don’t like seafood you can switch the prawns out for chicken. Alternatively, you can make it a vegetarian meal by adding more vegetables or tofu.

You can serve this as a starter on its own, or over some steamed white rice as a main course. 

Trinidadian Chicken with Pigeon Peas

This iconic Caribbean recipe is a tasty one dish meal that is ideal to cook when you are catering for large groups of people. It has irresistible flavors of coconut, herbs and burnt sugar which pair perfectly with the meat and the peas.

The chicken thighs are marinated in a green marinade that is packed with signature Caribbean flavours. The pigeon peas have a lovely nutty taste and make the dish more nutritious. You should try this recipe for your next family gathering – your guests will love tucking into this flavoursome food. 

Wondering what to do with your Leftover Chicken? We’ve got some lots of mouth-watering suggestions.

Salmon Laksa Tray Bake

Salmon is a very versatile fish that can be used in lots of different styles of cooking. In this recipe, the salmon takes on the Malaysian flavors to create a lovely meal that is ready in less than 20 minutes.

It is ideal for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner ready in a hurry, or a last minute dinner to cook for your friends. It has notes of chilli, coriander, lime and coconut along with the laksa paste, onion, bean sprouts, bok choy and vermicelli. 

Sydney has a huge variety of Asian Restaurants. Check our list for the top dining spots.

Pea and Coconut Soup

The warm spices in this dish make it one of our most popular easy coconut milk recipes.

This soup uses Indian spices to flavour the green and yellow peas and the onion- cardamom, coriander, cumin, turmeric, ginger and chilli. Chicken or vegetable stock is added, along with tomatoes and coconut milk.

The soup simmers for 40 minutes, which gives you time to get on with something else. Before serving, use a stick blender to blitz the soup and create a nice smooth consistency.

To serve, add a swirl of coconut milk to each bowl. You can eat this soup with warm crusty bread, or go with the Indian theme and dip soft naan bread into the spiced soup. 

Meen Kulambu – South Indian Fish Curry

This is a delicious, oily fish curry that is unlike the kind of food you will have tried in an Indian restaurant. You can use any kind of white fish, but something like cod, red snapper, mahi-mahi, halibut or mackerel would work really well in this recipe.

There are lots of different variations of this dish. You find that every family has their own individual blend of spices. However, this recipe aims to create an authentic flavour so you can experience the vibrancy of South Indian Cuisine.

The fish is marinated in coconut, coconut milk, tamarind, chilli, cumin, coriander and turmeric before being added to the curry. 

Hungry for an Indian feast in Adelaide? These are our preferred Indian Restaurants.

Jamaican Coconut Curry

This recipe for Jamaican coconut curry is delicious and customizable. It uses chicken, but you can choose whatever meat you like best- lamb would go really well with the strong flavors.

Got a party to organise? Why not take a look at what Shoprite Catering can do for you.

You can switch out the Yukon potatoes for sweet potatoes, add in some plantain, and chuck in any vegetables that you fancy. Your kitchen will be filled with the most incredible aromas as you cook this curry, and once you add the coconut milk you will be so excited to taste the creamy sauce.

You can serve this with Jamaican rice and peas, with coconut rice, or over some potatoes. 

Coconut Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn is a classic Southern side dish that is often enjoyed with southern fried chicken or biscuits and gravy. This recipe is a twist on that traditional favourite, using coconut milk instead of cream.

It still goes really well with chicken, but can also be enjoyed alongside lots of other foods like curries and BBQ meat. You can also eat it with crusty bread or rice for a simple but satisfying meal.

Try switching out your regular creamed corn for this coconut version and see what your family thinks. We reckon you’ll love this addition to our easy coconut milk recipes.

Coconut Cheesecake with Lime and Passionfruit

Cheesecake is one of those classic desserts that everyone loves and it is suitable for lots of different occasions. This coconut cheesecake is creamy, tropical and refreshing, with a mouth watering buttery biscuit base.

The filling is quite simple- cream cheese, vanilla, sugar, coconut milk and gelatine – but the fruity sauce really lifts this dessert to another level. Zesty lime and tropical passionfruit come together to create an appetising, colourful and flavoursome sauce to decorate your cheesecake. 

Do you like finishing a meal with a fruity pudding? We’ve got some fantastic Easy Orange Desserts for you.

Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff

This recipe is the perfect comfort food that can be ready in only half an hour. It is also made in one pot so there isn’t much cleanup to do. You can use a combination of whatever mushroom varieties you like best, and add in some extra vegetables if you want to.

We predict it will become one of your favourite easy coconut milk recipes.

This vegetarian twist on the classic beef stroganoff makes a nice change and is perfect to cook for your vegetarian friends. It is rich and indulgent, with coconut milk, heavy cream, and warm flavours like paprika. 

Vegetarian, but tired of the same old plant-based options when you dine out? See our Ultimate Vegetarian/Vegan Eating Guide for some advice.

Cauliflower, Chickpea and Coconut Curry

This tasty and healthy curry is ready in just 30 minutes and will fill you up and help you get your daily dose of vegetables and protein. It is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans, so you can make it for a large group of people without worrying about dietary requirements.

This curry is packed with delicious flavours and can be served with rice, potatoes, naan bread, or as a side dish to meat. 

In Melbourne and want to try somewhere new for an Indian meal? We’ve got you covered.

Coconut Tapioca with Lychee and Pineapple

This delicious tropical dessert comes together in just 20 minutes with some additional time to chill, so you can make it in advance of your dinner guests arriving to save yourself some time in the kitchen. It is sweetened with coconut milk and flavoured with vanilla seeds for a rich and creamy pudding.

The fresh pineapple and canned lychees have wonderful textures and it makes an interesting change from all of the usual desserts. 

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