PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT TAYLOR-GROSS
Recipes

17 Ways to Burn Through That Can of Coconut Milk

Our very best coconut milk recipes—both sweet and savory

By SAVEUR Editors


Published on August 7, 2017

Got an extra can of coconut milk? Look no further for inspiration: we're huge fans of the stuff and we've rounded up our best coconut milk recipes, including sweet desserts, rich drinks, and savory, spicy curries from around the world.

Some of our favorite Indian recipes and Southeast Asian recipes use coconut milk in curries, like authentic Thai kaeng khiaw waan with seafood and eggplant. If you're looking for something less traditional, it's easy to get creative with coconut milk: splash it into some mussels or use it to jazz up your average horchata or hot cocoa.

Ready to go? From Fijian ceviche to Filipino paella, here are our absolute recipes to make with a can of coconut milk.

Summer Rambutan Curry
Summer Rambutan Curry

After stumbling upon fresh rambutans, test kitchen assistant Jake Cohen used this Malaysian tropical fruit to make this spicy and sweet summer curry. Get the recipe for Summer Rambutan Curry »

Sautéed Squash Shrimp Coconut
Sautéed Squash and Shrimp with Coconut Milk and Chiles

Similar to an unripe mango or green papaya, julienned squash has a slightly “green” flavor that pairs well with the classic Thai flavors in this quick, brothy dish. Get the recipe for Sautéed Squash and Shrimp with Coconut Milk and Chiles »

Coconut Pistachio Semifreddo

Anna Watson Carl relies on sweetened condensed milk to add richness to this frozen dessert flavored with coconut milk, lime zest, and toasty pistachios. Simply macerated peaches provide a fresh, fruity counterpart. Get the recipe for Coconut and Pistachio Semifreddo with Fresh Peaches »

Sesame-Topped Semolina Cake with Coconut (Shwekyi Senyinmakin)
Sesame-Topped Semolina Cake with Coconut (Shwekyi Senyinmakin)

This sticky-sweet cake, made with semolina flour and coconut milk, is commonly served at holidays and special occasions in Myanmar. Get the recipe for Sesame-Topped Semolina Cake with Coconut (Shwekyi Senyinmakin) »

Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Grilled Chicken and Toasted Coconut Salad (Ayam Jeruk)
Grilled Chicken and Toasted Coconut Salad (Ayam Jeruk)

For this vibrantly spiced Balinese dish, finely shredded grilled chicken is tossed in an aromatic sambal with lime juice and toasted coconut. Get the recipe for Grilled Chicken and Toasted Coconut Salad (Ayam Jeruk) »

Pandan-Coconut Ice Cream
Steep it for Killer Custard and Ice Cream

Often used in southeast Asian curries and Indian rice dishes, pandan leaf lends a subtly exotic savory note to this coconut ice cream.

Top Pot Triple Coconut Donuts
Top Pot Triple Coconut Donuts

Coconut milk gives these donuts from Seattle’s Top Pot donut shop a super-moist interior and a gratifying crust. Get the recipe for Top Pot Triple Coconut Donuts »

Thai Spiced Hot Chocolate

Thai Spiced Hot Chocolate

Smita Chandra's Malabar Mussels
Smita Chandra's Malabar Mussels

Dishes from the south Indian state of Kerala, along the Malabar Coast, are heavily influenced by the area’s abundant supply of seafood. In this Anglo-Indian recipe from cookbook author and cooking instructor Smita Chandra, mussels gathered from local waters are cooked with tomatoes in a richly spiced coconut broth.

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