Use It Up: 11 Recipes to Make the Most of Coconut Milk

I’m one of those people that saves every scrap of food. Look in my fridge and you’ll find mini containers strewn throughout containing leftover beans or tomato sauce that I don’t want to toss down the drain.

More often than not, I’ll find a use for these leftover ingredients. When it comes to coconut milk, I might stir it in my morning oatmeal or swirl in a warming soup. Even if you only have a little coconut milk leftover from last night’s curry it’s easy to find a way to use it up.

For the recipes below, look for brands of canned, unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk (not coconut extract). It might also have water, guar gum in the ingredient list. Cream of coconut, coconut water and coconut cream are different products that have different uses.

What about lite coconut milk? Well, it will work most of the time but because it has less fat, it does not have the same amount of coconut flavor. Be sure to check the recipe before making substitutions as it can impact the final dish.

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When storing leftover coconut milk, make sure you date the container and keep it refrigerated. It’s best to use coconut milk within seven days. You can also freeze it by pouring it into ice cube trays. It will keep in the freezer for up to one month.

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