Is Coconut Milk in the Can the Same as the Carton?

Written by Jeff Campbell in Food Tips,Asian Cuisine

I love all things coconut and I also love to cook Thai food. But one thing I’ve wondered is coconut milk in the can the same as the carton?

Carton coconut milk is not the same as canned. The biggest difference between canned & carton coconut milk is that carton coconut milk has more fillers & is watered down quite a bit more, despite both starting with coconut & water as the main ingredients.

This makes carton coconut milk far more watery, lower in fat, and less flavorful than canned coconut milk. But that is also why canned coconut milk is so much more expensive per ounce.

But there’s a lot more to know about coconut milk and whether the refrigerated stuff in the carton should make it into your next curry.

So let’s keep going!

What exactly is coconut milk and how is it made?

Coconut milk is grated coconut that is blended with hot water and then pressed and strained using cheesecloth. The resulting cream can then be diluted with water to make regular or lite coconut milk or left undiluted to make coconut cream.

Coconut milk is that delicious, mildly sweet, creamy liquid that comes from the meat of the coconut. Coconut milk should not be confused with coconut water, which is the juice inside the coconut.

To make canned coconut milk, the meat is shredded and puréed with water and then strained through a cheesecloth. It can then be used in a variety of recipes including Thai soups & curries.

As we get into more below, canned coconut milk is a lot different than the kind that comes in a carton in the milk section.

Coconut milk from the carton is typically a non-dairy milk substitute that people use for smoothies, coffee creamer, and cereal.

It’s usually found in the refrigerator section of your supermarket and is generally much cheaper.

Coconut milk in the carton will usually contain more than just “coconut milk” in the ingredients, too. It may contain thickeners, sweeteners and other added ingredients.

What kind of coconut milk should you buy? And what about coconut cream!?

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

Can I substitute carton coconut milk for canned?

For most recipes, especially Thai curry, it is not advisable to substitute carton coconut milk for canned as carton coconut milk will be much watery and far less flavorful.

Carton coconut milk is a beverage usually found in the dairy section of your grocery store next to other non-dairy milk. It may be sweetened and is used just like regular milk.

You can drink it plain, put it in your cereal or put it in your coffee. Coconut milk in a carton can be used as a substitute for dairy milk for general cooking or baking. However, it should not be used as a substitute for canned coconut milk.

Canned coconut milk and carton coconut milk are very different products.

If you want that rich, creamy coconut flavor in recipes, you should stick with canned coconut milk. That’s still true even if you planned to buy the unsweetened carton of coconut milk.

Carton coconut milk has added ingredients, including sweeteners, stabilizers or flavoring that could interfere with the flavor of your dish.

If you are making traditional Thai food like Tom Kha Kai, also known as Thai coconut soup, you should use the canned coconut milk. Coconut milk from the carton cannot replicate the flavor and consistency of canned coconut milk.

If you’re making a smoothie that calls for coconut milk or soy milk, you’ll probably be fine using the stuff from the carton.

How do the ingredients differ between can and carton coconut milk?

Both carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk start with coconut and purified water. However, carton coconut milk is typically diluted much more requiring larger quantities of thickeners to improve the texture.

But of course, there are many brands of both and the ingredients are not exactly the same from brand to brand. Below, I take a look at Whole Foods private label 365 brand and the ingredients.

The ingredients in canned coconut milk are listed as:

ORGANIC COCONUT, PURIFIED WATER, ORGANIC GUAR GUM (Source)

But the ingredients in coconut milk from the carton are listed as:

ORGANIC COCONUT MILK (FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM), CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, ORGANIC LOCUST BEAN GUM, GELLAN GUM, SEA SALT, VITAMIN A, PALMITATE, ERGOCALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D2), CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12) (Source)

These are from the same brand and they are both unsweetened.

As you can see, the stuff from the carton has added flavoring, thickeners and stabilizing ingredients. True, the canned coconut also lists guar gum, which is a thickener just like locust bean and gellan gum. But they are likely used in much lower quantities in the canned stuff.

Plus the carton of coconut milk has much higher water content. That is what makes it pour out of the carton AND why it’s so much cheaper per ounce compared to the can.

The easiest way to figure that out is by looking at the fat content.

In a can of coconut milk (not the one labeled “lite”) you get 12 grams of fat per 1/3 cup (source). But for a carton of unsweetened coconut milk, it’s only 4.5 grams of fat for 1 cup (source).

That’s a whopping 800% more fat in the can than the carton. And the reason for that is all the added water in the carton that’s not in the can.

But mostly, the carton of coconut milk has a fairly neutral flavor. So that delicious coconut taste so needed in Thai curries and soups would be barely noticeable if you used the carton instead of the can.

Is canned coconut milk unsweetened?

Almost all brands of coconut milk in a can will be unsweetened, meaning there will be no added sugar or sweetener. However, coconut is already naturally sweet and somewhat high in sugar.

So, most of the time yes. But it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients. Not all canned coconut milk is unsweetened.

Though it is naturally sweet, it does come in a sweetened condensed version and cream of coconut. Both sweetened condensed coconut milk and cream of coconut have added sugar.

Almost any recipe that uses canned coconut milk is referring to the unsweetened variety. So when you shop for canned coconut milk, look for the “unsweetened” label, just to be sure or check the ingredients as some of the imported ones don’t say on the front.

Can I use carton coconut milk in curry?

As a general rule, avoid using carton coconut milk in curry. Using carton coconut milk exclusively will give create a watery, somewhat flavorless curry. Canned coconut milk is what gives curry its consistency and depth of flavor.

The coconut milk in the carton does not have a very strong coconut flavor or the consistency of canned. As we got into above, that’s due to how watered down the carton is.

What I have done, on occasion, is to use carton coconut milk if my curry (that used a can for its base) is a little thick. Basically, I use just enough from the carton to get the consistency I want in my curry.

Of course, if you are using a carton of coconut milk for your curry, make sure it’s unsweetened. And by all means, make sure it’s not vanilla flavored!

If all you had on hand was a carton of unsweetened plain coconut milk, you can make curry with it. Just be prepared to use a smaller amount than you would of the canned. That will ensure it’s not too watery. Then also be prepared to play around with the amounts of curry paste, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, and other ingredients.

That can help make up for the lack of coconut flavor in the carton coconut milk.

If you love curry, another very common question is what’s the difference between Indian and Thai curry?

In truth, they are actually VERY different although they do share a few ingredients. I break it all down and compare the two cuisines in a recent article.

What really surprised me was how much healthier one is than the other. Just click that link to read it on my site.

Can you drink canned coconut milk?

You can use canned coconut milk as a beverage. However, it will likely be separated in the can with a solid layer of coconut cream and a watery liquid below it. So stirring or mixing is recommended.

But it will definitely be thicker than carton coconut milk with a stronger flavor too.

Coconut milk is packed with nutrients. According to a recent study published by the Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research and a second study by the Natural Medicine Journal, coconut milk has a variety of health benefits from:

  • Helping with healthy weight management
  • Assisting with overall Heart health
  • Supports the immune system

And specifically, that first study went on to find that coconut milk could “prevent oxidative damage and reduce the risk of degenerative diseases.”

However, it is very high in fat and one cup of it may contain anywhere from 350-550 calories. It’s also pretty thick, which is why the stuff in the carton gets watered down so much.

While canned coconut milk can be a great addition to smoothies, there are lots of other ways to enjoy coconut milk, too.

  1. You can add a little to your coffee or tea to add a bit of sweetness.
  2. Enjoy a bowl of mixed berries with a small amount of coconut milk for a sweet dairy-free dessert.
  3. Mix cinnamon and vanilla in a small amount of warmed coconut milk for a cozy winter drink. Make a delicious mocktail with coconut milk, seltzer, natural sweetener, and other flavorful mix-ins.
  4. For a summer treat, pour coconut milk into a popsicle tray with your favorite fruit or other add-ins, pop it into the freezer, and enjoy some refreshing coconut popsicles.

Coconut milk is also rich in potassium and high in iron, and makes a great conditioner for your hair!

Consumed in moderation, coconut milk is a delicious treat that can help you feel full longer, and have more energy.

How do you store leftover canned coconut milk?

Opened cans of coconut milk should ideally be stored in a tightly sealed air-tight container and will last for 7 to 10 days in the fridge.

Unopened cans of coconut milk can just be stored in your pantry.

But if you open a can and don’t use it all, leftover coconut milk should be stored either in the fridge or freezer. Of course, it will last longer in the freezer, but that may cause the texture and taste to change.

But it can be stored in the can, covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. But going that route, it would be best to use it within a few days.

As I mentioned, coconut milk will last for 7 to 10 days in the fridge if you place it in a sealer Tupperware-style container. When storing coconut milk in the fridge, make sure it is away from strong-smelling items like fish or onions.

Coconut milk will take on the flavors of other nearby foods after a few days.

Coconut can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Freeze coconut milk in an airtight container with enough room for expansion.

You can also put it in ice cube trays to have small amounts on hand. Let them thaw to drink or before adding to your coffee. You can even put the coconut milk ice cubes right into your smoothie before blending.

One thing to be aware of when freezing coconut milk is that it will be “broken” when it’s thawed out.

This means that the fat and the milk has become separated. Just run it through a blender to get it back to normal for cooking and drinking. For that reason, it is not a great idea to add frozen coconut milk to a curry you are cooking on the stovetop.

Coconut milk, whether frozen or refrigerated, can last beyond the expiration date.

How do you tell if canned coconut milk has gone bad?

To tell if coconut milk has gone bad, give it a smell. If it doesn’t look bad or smell bad, give it a taste. Don’t swallow it if it doesn’t taste good. If the coconut milk looks, smells, and tastes good, it’s fine to drink or cook with.

Throw out any coconut milk that looks or smells bad and always throw out bulging or rusted cans, no matter what the expiration date.

There’s no need to risk making yourself sick, no matter how much you love curry.

What can I substitute for canned coconut milk?

Nothing can truly replace the flavor and consistency of canned coconut milk, but if you don’t have any on hand, or you have a coconut allergy, there are some substitutes available.

  • Coconut powder: Coconut powder has a long shelf life and you can just mix it with water to get that coconut flavor and some of the same consistency.
  • Coconut water: Coconut water will give you the coconut flavor, but none of the consistency as canned coconut milk. You can add some heavy cream to thicken it up a bit.
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream won’t give you that coconut flavor, but it will give you the same consistency as coconut milk. If you are not allergic to coconut, you can add some coconut water for flavor.
  • Equal parts cream cheese and skim milk: Like heavy cream, you will get the consistency of coconut milk, but not the flavor.
  • Plain Coconut Yogurt: Yogurt has a thick, creamy consistency. And while any plain (unflavored and unsweetened) yogurt will work, a coconut-based one will give you some of that coconut flavor.

Coconut milk is a great substitute for folks with nut allergies or dairy sensitivities. But what about if you are allergic to coconut or just don’t like the taste? If you are allergic to coconut, have a sensitivity to coconut milk, or just don’t like it, fear not!

While nothing can truly replace the flavor and consistency of canned coconut milk, there are some excellent substitutes.

Above I mentioned the difference between Indian curry and Thai curry.

But of course, other Asian countries use coconut milk too and have a lot of different flavors. So if you’ve ever been curious about the differences between Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai food, check out my recent article.

I break them all down and compare the ingredients, flavors, and which one is the healthiest. I was pretty surprised when I saw which one was the most unhealthy.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Canned coconut milk vs. coconut cream; what’s the difference?

Coconut cream is creamier and thicker than coconut milk. In canned coconut milk, the coconut cream is the part that rises to the top of the can. But coconut cream can also be found as a separate product sold next to coconut milk. It is made of the same ingredients – coconut and water, but just with less water.

When cooking with coconut milk, it is a good idea to shake the can a bit before adding it to your recipe. Shaking the can will allow the coconut cream to mix with the coconut milk.

Coconut milk and coconut cream taste very similar, so your usage really depends on the consistency you want in your dish. Coconut cream is excellent in curry or Coconut Chocolate Mousse.

Just be aware that sometimes coconut cream comes in sweetened or sweetened condensed versions. So if you plan on using it in a curry, you’ll want the unsweetened coconut cream.

Ultimate Guide to COCONUT MILK - Hot Thai Kitchen

Final thoughts

Coconut water, coconut milk, and coconut cream, oh my!

We have learned a LOT today about the different types of delicious coconut products. In review:

  • Coconut water is the juice from the coconut.
  • Coconut milk is made with the sweet white meat of the coconut, blended with water and strained. It is delicious in Indian and Thai recipes.
  • Coconut cream is creamier and thicker than coconut milk. The taste is very similar to coconut milk and provides a nice thick consistency to recipes.

But mostly, we explored the question is coconut milk in the can the same as the carton?

The answer to that question is no. They are fairly different. Coconut milk in the carton is nothing like coconut milk from the can. It’s much more watered down and lacking that strong coconut flavor that is essential for curries and other Thai food recipes.

Carton coconut milk is fine for drinking, coffee creamer, and cereal but does not make a great substitute for canned coconut milk in cooking or baking.

Photo credits which require attribution:

Non-Dairy Milk by Veganbaking.net is licensed under CC2.0

coffee with coconut milk by bour3 is licensed under CC2.0

Jeff Campbell

Jeff was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades and is now a recovering foodie. When he's not spending time in the kitchen, he can usually be found with 3 daughters, practicing martial arts, making music, or blogging on his other sites. Click to learn more about me

Top Related Posts