How Much Milk to Substitute for Coconut Milk
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Milk comes across milder than Coconut Milk.
How much milk equals one cup of coconut milk?
Use 1:1 milk per 1 cup coconut milk.
Health notes
Compared with Coconut Milk, Milk has: less calories (61 vs 230 per 100g in Coconut Milk), less fat (3.3g vs 23.8g per 100g in Coconut Milk), less saturated fat (1.9g vs 21.1g per 100g in Coconut Milk), more protein (3.2g vs 2.3g per 100g in Coconut Milk), and less carbs (4.8g vs 5.5g per 100g in Coconut Milk).
Using milk as a coconut milk substitute in baking
1:1; bakes turn lighter and less rich, with a milder flavor overall.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1; sauces run thinner, simmer a bit longer to build body.
- Slow Cook
1:1; watch heat since milk can scorch or curdle over long cooking.
- Steaming
1:1; fine for light sauces, less creamy than coconut milk.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in cold soups or smoothies; noticeably thinner.
- Drinks
1:1 in smoothies or coffee, milder and less rich.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: too thin and low-fat, won't crisp anything.
- Grilling
Not recommended: not usable as a direct grilling liquid.
FAQ
- How much milk equals one cup of coconut milk?
Use 1:1 milk per 1 cup coconut milk.
- Can I substitute milk for Coconut Milk in baking?
Yes. 1:1; bakes turn lighter and less rich, with a milder flavor overall. Not recommended: too thin and low-fat, won't crisp anything.
- How much milk to use as a coconut milk substitute?
Loses the coconut note and richness; add a bit of butter or oil to round it out.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
Milk comes across milder than coconut milk.
- How does texture change when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
Milk thinner and lighter body with less fat, sauces and curries will lack the same clinging richness.
- What else should I know about substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
For curries, soups, and baking. Expect a thinner, lighter dish with less fat and no coconut flavor. Skip frying and grilling since it's a thin liquid. Stir in a knob of butter or oil to bring back some richness.
- What still works when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
Milk still works as a moisture and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
Milk won't work as a fat and emulsifier.
- How well does Milk match Coconut Milk?
Milk is okay on structure, okay on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
Milk is higher in protein, and has about x4 fewer calories, x7 fewer fat, and x11 fewer sat. fat.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Milk for Coconut Milk?
The flavor shifts toward less bitter notes.