Coconut milk is a versatile ingredient and can be used in many recipes, like Thai chicken curry, casseroles, bread, and many more. It is plant-based milk, lactose-free that is a great ingredient that adds richness to your sweet recipes or savory recipes.
Best known for its creamy texture, coconut milk is a great alternative to dairy milk. With that thick, creamy texture comes high-fat content. What’s best is that coconut fats have antioxidants and anti-microbial qualities. If you are not a fan of milk with a thick consistency, thin coconut milk is also available.
There are two types of coconut milk: fresh coconut milk and canned coconut milk. If you are looking to make curries with coconut milk, oats, or even Thai chicken soup, canned coconut milk is a great addition. Fresh coconut is itself a delight. You better use it for your everyday uses like smoothies, ice creams, and cereals.
But like any other milk, it spoils. One of the frequently asked questions is how you can preserve or increase shelf life. Below, we have mentioned all the tips and tricks you need to know about preserving coconut milk.
Best Ways to Freeze Leftover Coconut Milk
If you have excess or leftover milk, you must be wondering how to increase the shelf life of fresh coconut milk. Freezing coconut milk is similar to freezing soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk.
Some of the best-recommended ways to freeze your coconut milk to keep it fresh beyond its expiration date are the following
- Freezing the coconut milk in ice cube trays
- Freezing the coconut milk in a freezer-safe container
Method 1: Freeze coconut milk in ice cube trays
An easy way to freeze coconut milk is to place it in an ice tray. Besides being a perfect way, thanks to the smaller portions, you get the desired amount of coconut milk without any wastage. The best ice tray is a silicon ice tray, as it is easy to take frozen coconut milk cubes out.
Step 1: Portion and Pour
Pour the coconut in smaller quantities into the ice tray. Do not fill to the brim. Fill it only three-quarters full because it has water content, which expands when frozen. Make sure the coconut milk is not close to its expiration date.
Step 2: Freeze
Place the coconut milk ice tray in the freezer until completely frozen. The coconut milk freezes overnight as a result. The freezing process takes about 3-4 hours but it is best to freeze it overnight.
Step 3: Seal and Label
Pop the frozen cubes out of the ice tray. Put them in a ziplock freezer bag. Make sure all the air is out. Label the date on the freezer bag to make sure you are not drinking expired coconut milk.
Method 2: Freeze The Coconut Milk In A Freezer-safe Container
Freezing the coconut milk in an air-tight container is the best way to store it if you have a large quantity of coconut milk. Make sure to use an airtight container and freezer-safe.
Step 1: Portion and Pour
Adding coconut milk in small amounts is preferable. Pour at least one cup or less into a freezer-friendly container. Portioning will help you get the desired amount of product you want to use.
Step 2: Seal
Make sure the container you are putting the fresh coconut milk in is an airtight container and freezer-safe. It is best to get all the air out, or else your coconut milk will spoil and absorb bad odors from the surrounding foods.
Step 3: Freeze
Put it in the freezer. It is better to freeze overnight. This will assure you that your coconut milk is completely frozen.
How To Defrost Coconut Milk
Thawing coconut milk is a very simple procedure, but it requires some precautions. The best option to thaw the frozen coconut milk is to leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
You can speed up the thawing process at room temperature by putting the container in lukewarm water. Make sure it doesn’t become cold water. Warm the water in the microwave for a few seconds. Keep stirring the defrosted coconut milk.
Once the thawing process is done, your thawed coconut milk will show a slight change. The texture change is caused by the separation of fats and proteins from the liquid.
You can quickly overcome it by either giving it a good stir for a few minutes or using an immersion blender or hand blender. It is a simple fix and a great way to achieve the creamy texture it had.
What Are The Signs Of Spoilage Of The Coconut Milk
You got a carton of coconut milk and you are wondering if it went bad or can coconut milk go bad. Yes, coconut milk, like any other milk (almond or soy), does go bad. However, sometimes people take the separation problem as one of the signs of spoilage.
Following are the signs that you need to look out for before you consume coconut milk:
- Mold is the most important thing that signifies the spoilage of the milk.
- The coconut milk curdles and gets lumpy as the color darkens.
- The coconut milk will have a sour smell.
If your coconut milk shows any of the signs above, discard it!
FAQs
Why can’t you refreeze the coconut milk?
No, you cannot refreeze the thawed coconut milk. With repeated refreezing, the texture change and separation problem worsen. Eventually, the milk tastes bad and is very unappealing.
How long do the fresh and the frozen coconut milk last?
You should check the expiration date of canned coconut milk for future use. However, once opened, the fresh coconut milk lasts for 3–5 days. Frozen coconut milk can last up to 3 months.
Can you freeze the curry made with coconut milk?
Yes, you can freeze the curry made with coconut milk! You can store that curry for up to 3 months. Make sure the container you put your curry in is airtight and freeze-friendly. Portioning it in small quantities will give you the desired amount of curry. Thaw the curry whenever you want to eat it.
What are some best uses of frozen coconut milk?
- You can add frozen coconut milk to soups and curry. It will heat up while cooking.
- Frozen coconut is perfect for smoothies giving them the texture it requires.
- Perfect for ice creams and heavy cream. However, it has high-fat content.
Is coconut milk ideal for coconut milk good for coffee?
Coconut milk is best known for its creamy, thick texture and is one of the great milk alternatives to regular milk. It gives your coffee the texture and creaminess it needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, the above information, even though coconut milk comes with a slightly grainy texture, it is a great addition to your favorite recipe. It is better to store smaller amounts of coconut milk by freezing them and using the amount you actually need than buying repeatedly.
Instead of throwing the leftover coconut milk away, preserve it with the above-mentioned methods for future use.
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