How Much Coconut Milk to Substitute for Milk
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Coconut Milk keeps a similar flavor profile to Milk.
How much coconut milk equals one cup of milk?
Use 1 cup coconut milk per 1 cup milk.
Health notes
Compared with Milk, Coconut Milk has: more calories (230 vs 61 per 100g in Milk), more fat (23.8g vs 3.3g per 100g in Milk), more saturated fat (21.1g vs 1.9g per 100g in Milk), less protein (2.3g vs 3.2g per 100g in Milk), and more carbs (5.5g vs 4.8g per 100g in Milk).
Using coconut milk as a milk substitute in baking
Use 1:1 for milk in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. Adds richness and a faint coconut note.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 swap works in sauces and curries; shake the can first for even fat.
- Slow Cook
1:1; adds body and richness to braises and stews over long cook times.
- Steaming
1:1 in custards and puddings; thickens a bit more than milk.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in smoothies and chilled desserts; shake or whisk before using.
- Drinks
1:1 in coffee, shakes, and cocktails; adds a creamy coconut edge.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: high water content and low smoke point cause spattering.
- Grilling
Not recommended: not a marinade or basting liquid for direct heat.
FAQ
- How much coconut milk equals one cup of milk?
Use 1 cup coconut milk per 1 cup milk.
- Can I substitute coconut milk for Milk in baking?
Yes. Use 1:1 for milk in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. Adds richness and a faint coconut note. Not recommended: high water content and low smoke point cause spattering.
- How much coconut milk to use as a milk substitute?
Adds a mild coconut note and more richness; skip in delicate vanilla or fruit desserts if that's unwanted.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
Coconut milk keeps a similar flavor profile to milk.
- How does texture change when substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
Coconut milk thicker, creamier body with more fat; bakes stay moist but brown less and can feel denser.
- What else should I know about substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
For curries, braises, custards, and baked goods. Expect richer, creamier results with a mild coconut background note and less browning in bakes. Skip frying and grilling, where it splits or scorches. Shake the can well before measuring since fat separates on standing.
- What still works when substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
Coconut milk still works as a moisture, fat, and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
Coconut milk won't work as a tenderizer.
- How well does Coconut Milk match Milk?
Coconut milk is good on structure, good on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Coconut Milk for Milk?
Coconut milk is lower in protein, and has about x4 more calories, x7 more fat, and x11 more sat. fat.