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45+ Easy Recipes that Use Coconut Milk

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

January 7, 2026

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Coconut milk lends its creamy richness and subtle sweetness to a vast array dishes. From savory curries to decadent desserts, coconut milk can transform any dish into a creamy, delicious delight. Here’s 45+ recipes that use coconut milk that you should definitely try!

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The BEST Recipes that Use Coconut Milk

Overhead shot of butter chickpeas served on bed of brown rice in grey bowl with pita bread.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
This Butter Chickpea Curry feature tender chickpeas simmered in an intensely flavorful and aromatic Indian-inspired butter sauce. Either serve it as the main course with rice or as a delicious vegetarian and vegan-friendly side dish.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Overhead close up of bowl of lime coconut rice with chopsticks.
Coconut Lime Rice
This Coconut Lime Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.
Coconut Lime Rice
Meatballs simmering in curry sauce in skillet.
Thai Meatballs
Thai Curry Meatballs is a recipe that I make on the regular. I like that the ingredients are easy to find in the local grocery store, and the fact that it’s a nutritious and quick weeknight dinner option that will be on your table in just 30 minutes!
Thai Meatballs in a Creamy Coconut Curry Sauce
Bowl of butternut curry with rice and spoon.
Butternut Squash Curry
This Indian Butternut Squash Curry is a delicious vegetarian squash curry simmered with fragrant spices and rich coconut milk.
Indian Butternut Squash Curry
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Golden Milk Latte
This Golden Milk Latte recipe is easy to make ahead. When you want to enjoy a Golden Milk Latte simply combine this healthy vanilla-scented turmeric blend with your favorite milk and enjoy warm or cold. 
Golden Milk Latte
Side view of curried butternut squash soup in bowl with swirl of yogurt on top.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
This Curried Butternut Squash Soup is deliciously rich & creamy and perfect for chilly fall days. (Vegan + Vegetarian options)
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Curry served in bowl with sour cream and lime wedges.
Black Bean Curry
This easy vegan Black Bean Curry is ready in just 20-minutes! Canned black beans simmered in a fragrant, spiced creamy coconut milk sauce.
Black Bean Curry
Overhead shot of slow cooker butter chicken in black bowl with rice.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a deliciously spiced Indian dish that’s easy to make with the help of your crockpot.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Creamy Carrot and Parsnip Soup
Creamy Carrot & Parsnip Soup combines roasted root vegetables, cannellini beans, vegetable broth and coconut milk with a hint of spicy harissa paste & lime.
Recipe: Life Around the Table
Creamy Vegan Carrot Soup
Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is made with 5 healthy ingredients like coconut milk and Medjool dates for a natural sweetness.
Recipe: Life Around the Table
Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
2-Ingredient Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
This 2-ingredient vegan strawberry ice cream is made with frozen strawberries, coconut milk, and your food processor in less than 10 minutes!
Recipe: Salt and Lavender
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Salmon Coconut Curry (Thai Inspired)
In just over half an hour this bright and flavorful salmon coconut curry recipe is on the table! It’s easy to make with grocery store staples, and the rich red curry broth is totally irresistible.
Recipe: Salt and Lavender
Salmon Coconut Curry
Red Curry Risotto With Shrimp
Our red curry obsession knows no bounds—give us shrimp risotto, and we’ll turn around and give you a big bowlful of this jumbo shrimp-laden coconut curry risotto.
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Whole Coconut Curry Chicken
This Thai-inspired whole chicken is poached in coconut curry broth—a one pot dish that makes for a simple, flavorful weeknight dinner.
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Simple Coconut Chicken Meatball Curry with Rice Noodles
Coconut Chicken Meatball Curry with Rice Noodles: a delicious mix of cozy and healthy and a great way to use up garden peppers and basil!
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Coconut Chicken Meatball Curry
Coconut Quinoa Oatmeal with Maple Syrup
In this quinoa oatmeal, grains are cooked in coconut milk topped with maple syrup to bring out its sweet side for a healthy breakfast.
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Coconut Hibiscus Refresher
This coconut hibiscus refresher is thinner than the consistency of a smoothie, made with coconut milk and a bit of raspberry jam.
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Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream
Vegan pistachio ice cream made with real pistachios and coconut milk. With an incredibly creamy texture, and just 6 main ingredients.
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Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream
Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream
Coconut cupcakes are made with desiccated coconut and coconut milk. The soft coconut buttercream frosting is garnished with toasted coconut!
Recipe: If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen
Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream
Vegan Creme Brûlée
This Vegan Creme Brulee is simple to make, but as impressive and decadent as it gets! A rich and creamy coconut milk custard topped with crunchy sugar, then torched until warm and caramelized.
Recipe: Sweet Simple Vegan
Vegan Creme Brûlée
Vegan Chocolate Frosting
This vegan chocolate frosting is super easy and just requires three ingredients – chocolate, coconut milk and salt! Can easily be made paleo.
Recipe: Texanerin Baking
2 Ingredient Vegan Frosting
Green Curry Tofu With Vegetables
Simple, 1-pot vegan green curry tofu is perfect any night of the week. Easy way to prepare tofu, with Thai green curry paste and vegetables.
Recipe: My Quiet Kitchen
Green Curry Tofu With Vegetables
Pan Seared Coconut Lime Chicken Breasts
Coconut Lime Chicken is a simple dinner recipe that it quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful. It can be made spicy or more family-friendly and is naturally low carb and gluten free.
Recipe: Delicious Little Bites
Pan Seared Coconut Lime Chicken
Coconut Milk Coffee (Iced and Hot)
Switch up your coffee with this Coconut Milk Coffee that is made with 3 main ingredients and takes 10 minutes. Iced and hot recipes included.
Recipe: J Cooking Odyssey
Coconut Milk Coffee (Iced or Hot)
Berry Coconut Panna Cotta
This creamy, coconut panna cotta is topped with the most delicious macerated berries for one stunner of a dessert. It’s an easy panna cotta recipe and perfect for those who may be dairy-free.
Recipe: Downshiftology
Berry Coconut Panna Cotta
Coconut Milk Pasta Sauce (Vegan)
This coconut milk pasta sauce is smooth, creamy, and savory. This easy vegan pasta sauce is easy to make and so versatile.
Recipe: Organically Addison
Coconut Milk Pasta Sauce
Easy Creamy Coconut Rice Pudding Recipe
This easy coconut rice pudding recipe makes a comforting, lightly sweetened dessert, and is made from simple kitchen staples.
Recipe: Our Happy Mess
Creamy Coconut Rice Pudding
Thai Coconut Soup (tom kha)
Thai Coconut Soup, or tom kha, is a classic Thai soup that’ll wake you up, tingle your taste buds and make your nose run (in a good way.)
Recipe: The View From Great Island
Thai Coconut Soup (tom kha)
Spinach-Scallion Coconut Udon
This spinach-scallion coconut udon recipe is creamy and so easy to make. It’s loaded with spinach, scallions, potato, and coconut milk for a rich, vegan coconut broth.
Recipe: Tried and True Recipes
Spinach-Scallion Coconut Udon
Coconut Green Curry Mussels
Coconut curry mussels featuring a luscious coconut sauce infused with aromatic ginger and garlic. Enjoy with bread as app or rice as a meal.
Recipe: Zestful Kitchen
Coconut Green Curry Mussels
Homemade Vegan Bounty Bars
This vegan bounty bars recipe is gluten-free, super easy to make and require just 6 simple ingredients! Soft and creamy coconut centres are smothered in vegan chocolate for a deliciously healthy dessert.
Recipe: Basics with Bails
Vegan Bounty Bars
Easy One Pot Gochujang Pasta
Spice up your pasta game with this mouthwatering gochujang pasta recipe! This recipe combines the bold flavors of Korean cuisine with a creamy sauce over pasta.
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Creamy Miso + Coconut Butter Beans
We love to serve this one-pot wonder with toasted bread, but you can also serve it with boiled potatoes and veggies for a larger meal.
Recipe: We Are So Vegan
Creamy Miso Coconut Butter Beans
Vietnamese Peanut Sauce
Rich and creamy peanut dipping sauce with the right balance of sweet and savory. A great dipping sauce for Vietnamese spring rolls as well as many other dishes.
Recipe: Delightful Plate
Vietnamese Peanut Sauce
Thai Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
Thai Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup – A Thai-inspired soup that is incredibly light, healthy, hearty and cozy! It is so easy to make using baby carrots, sweet potatoes, lite coconut milk and lime juice.
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Vegan Lemon Bars
The most incredible Vegan Lemon Bars, made with just 8 ingredients and lots of tangy lemon flavor! The buttery shortbread crust is absolutely perfect.
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Mango Coconut Milk Smoothie
A creamy and delicious mango coconut milk smoothie! This smoothie is simple, satisfying, and refreshing. Just four simple ingredients!
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Creamy Coconut Lemonade
If you’re looking for the ultimate summer drink, look no further than this refreshing creamy coconut lemonade.
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Blueberry Coconut Popsicles
These Blueberry Coconut Popsicles are the perfect treat to cool off with on a hot day! Made with coconut milk, blueberries, maple syrup and cinnamon.
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Blueberry Coconut Popsicles
Vegan Coconut Milk Corn Chowder with Jalapeños
A garden-inspired vegan coconut milk corn chowder with spicy jalapeños and handfuls of vegetables that feels just right for late summer.
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French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)
Known in France as “Flan Coco”, this famous Coconut Flan hails from the French Antilles. Once flipped upside down, the flan showcases two different layers: a luscious creamy flan topped with caramel and a soft shredded coconut biscuit at the bottom.
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Coconut Curry Ramen
Coconut curry ramen is the ultimate comfort food in 20 minutes coconut milk, red Thai curry paste, fresh vegetables and instant noodles.
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Chicken and Gnocchi With Creamy Truffle Sauce
Indulge in some restaurant-quality comfort food with this dish, featuring gnocchi, chicken, and a creamy sauce elevated by some truffle oil.
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Coconut French Toast
This coconut French toast is made with whole grain bread slices soaked in a rich egg mix, served with fruits, coconut flakes and maple syrup.
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Taro Ice Cream Recipe with Real Taro and Coconut
Creamy, fragrant and nutty taro ice cream made with real taro paste. This recipe is entirely natural and 100% delicious!
Recipe: Sugar Yums
Taro Ice Cream

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Full Recipe

45+ Ways to Use Coconut Milk

Coconut milk lends its creamy richness and subtle sweetness to a vast array dishes. Here's 45+ recipes that use coconut milk that you should definitely try! Start with these Indian Butter Chickpeas. Featuring tender chickpeas simmered in an intensely flavorful and aromatic Indian-inspired butter sauce.
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Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger (minced)
  • 1 Tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (or more, to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 4 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)
  • Greek yogurt (for topping)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and sauté until onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer, until fragrant.
  • Stir in coconut milk, tomato paste, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, salt & pepper until well combined.
  • Add chickpeas and bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
  • Serve spooned over rice, and topped with cilantro and greek yogurt, if desired.

Notes

  • To store, keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. 
  • To freeze, place the cooked and cooled butter chickpeas in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month.
  • To reheat, warm the chickpeas in a saucepan or in the microwave until hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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