How Much Coconut Oil to Substitute for Coconut Milk
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Coconut Oil keeps a similar flavor profile to Coconut Milk.
How much coconut oil equals one cup of coconut milk, plus extra liquid to make up the volume?
Use 1/3 to 1/2 cup melted coconut oil per 1 cup coconut milk, plus extra liquid to make up the volume.
Health notes
Compared with Coconut Milk, Coconut Oil has: more calories (892 vs 230 per 100g in Coconut Milk), more fat (99.1g vs 23.8g per 100g in Coconut Milk), more saturated fat (82.5g vs 21.1g per 100g in Coconut Milk), less protein (0g vs 2.3g per 100g in Coconut Milk), and less carbs (0g vs 5.5g per 100g in Coconut Milk).
Using coconut oil as a coconut milk substitute in baking
Use 1/2 cup melted coconut oil per 1 cup coconut milk, plus extra liquid to replace lost moisture.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Use 1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk; add water or broth to make up the volume.
- Frying
Use 1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk as the fat; won't replace the liquid at all.
- Slow Cook
Use 1/3 cup plus extra water or stock; oil alone won't build the same sauce body.
- Grilling
Brush on at 1/3 cup equivalent for coconut flavor; adds no moisture.
- Raw Cold
Use 1/3 cup melted for flavor in raw desserts; won't match the creamy body.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: oil doesn't add the moisture steaming needs.
- Drinks
Not recommended: oil won't blend smoothly into drinks without an emulsifier.
FAQ
- How much coconut oil equals one cup of coconut milk, plus extra liquid to make up the volume?
Use 1/3 to 1/2 cup melted coconut oil per 1 cup coconut milk, plus extra liquid to make up the volume.
- Can I substitute coconut oil for Coconut Milk in baking?
Yes. Use 1/2 cup melted coconut oil per 1 cup coconut milk, plus extra liquid to replace lost moisture. Not recommended: oil doesn't add the moisture steaming needs.
- How much coconut oil to use as a coconut milk substitute?
Keeps the coconut character but loses the creamy body; add water or broth to balance.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil keeps a similar flavor profile to coconut milk.
- How does texture change when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil adds coconut fat and richness but no liquid volume, so recipes need extra water, broth, or milk to compensate.
- What else should I know about substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
For curries, baked goods, and sauteing. Expect the same coconut flavor without the creaminess or moisture. Skip steaming and drinks since oil won't emulsify or add body on its own.
- What still works when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil still works as a fat and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil won't work as a moisture and emulsifier.
- How well does Coconut Oil match Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil is stretch on structure, good on heat, and good on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
Coconut oil has about x4 more calories, fat, and sat. fat. Coconut oil has no protein, while coconut milk has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Coconut Oil for Coconut Milk?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet and less umami notes.