How Much Olive Oil to Substitute for Coconut Milk
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Olive Oil brings a noticeably different flavor than Coconut Milk.
How much olive oil equals one cup of coconut milk plus extra liquid to cover the volume lost?
Use 1/3 cup olive oil per 1 cup coconut milk plus extra liquid to cover the volume lost.
Health notes
Compared with Coconut Milk, Olive Oil has: more calories (884 vs 230 per 100g in Coconut Milk), more fat (100g vs 23.8g per 100g in Coconut Milk), less saturated fat (13.8g 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 olive oil as a coconut milk substitute in baking
Use 1/3 cup olive oil per 1 cup coconut milk and add back 2/3 cup water or milk for lost moisture.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk; adds fat but no body, so sauce won't thicken the same way.
- Frying
Use 1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk for richness only; won't replace the liquid volume in a batter or marinade.
- Slow Cook
1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk plus extra broth or water to keep the braise from drying out.
- Grilling
Brush on marinades at 1/3 cup per 1 cup coconut milk; skip if the recipe needs a creamy basting liquid.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Steaming
Not recommended: oil won't build the moist, creamy sauce coconut milk gives.
- Raw Cold
Not recommended: won't work in cold soups or smoothies; at most a few tablespoons in dressings only.
- Drinks
Not recommended: oil doesn't blend into drinks and leaves a greasy film.
FAQ
- How much olive oil equals one cup of coconut milk plus extra liquid to cover the volume lost?
Use 1/3 cup olive oil per 1 cup coconut milk plus extra liquid to cover the volume lost.
- Can I substitute olive oil for Coconut Milk in baking?
Yes. Use 1/3 cup olive oil per 1 cup coconut milk and add back 2/3 cup water or milk for lost moisture. Not recommended: oil won't build the moist, creamy sauce coconut milk gives.
- How much olive oil to use as a coconut milk substitute?
Loses coconut sweetness and adds a peppery, bitter note; make up the missing liquid with broth or water.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
Olive oil brings a noticeably different flavor than coconut milk.
- How does texture change when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
Olive oil loses the creamy body and thickening power of coconut milk; dishes turn oilier and thinner instead of silky.
- What else should I know about substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
For sauteing, braises, and marinades. Expect an oilier, thinner result without the creamy thickening coconut milk gives. Skip curries, soups, and drinks that rely on coconut milk's body. Add coconut extract or a splash of nut milk if you want the flavor back. Won't steam or work in cold blended drinks.
- What still works when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
Olive oil still works as a fat and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
Olive oil won't work as a moisture and emulsifier.
- How well does Olive Oil match Coconut Milk?
Olive oil is stretch on structure, okay on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
Olive oil has about x2 fewer sat. fat, and about x4 more calories and fat. Olive oil has no protein, while coconut milk has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Olive Oil for Coconut Milk?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet, more acidic, more bitter, and more pungent notes.