5 Tips on How to Store Canned Coconut Milk

We answer your top questions on how to store coconut milk. Read on for the best ways to store coconut milk and how to keep coconut milk's luscious texture and delicate flavors whole.

1. Keep them cool and dry.

So what's the best way to store canned coconut milk? Unopened cans of coconut milk can be stored in a cool, dry space, away from sources of direct heat or sunlight. The kitchen pantry, cupboards or kitchen cabinets are all ideal spaces to keep unopened cans of coconut milk.

After opening, canned coconut milk should be refrigerated after each use. Once a can of coconut milk is opened, transfer any leftover milk to a jar or an airtight container, then store in the refrigerator.

2. Store up to 6 days in the fridge.

How long can you keep coconut milk in the refrigerator? Coconut milk will keep fresh for about 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator. Upon opening canned coconut milk, be sure to transfer leftover milk to an airtight container then keep in the refrigerator.

3. Freeze, thaw, blend, repeat.

One of the highly debated questions - can you freeze coconut milk? Most manufacturers do not recommend freezing coconut milk. Freezing coconut milk alters its texture and causes irreversible separation between the fat and water.

However, if you'd like to freeze coconut milk, there's a convenient way to recover coconut milk's smooth and creamy texture after freezing. An easy fix is to thaw the coconut milk then blend it with an immersion blender for about 30 seconds to re-emulsify. You can then use the blended coconut milk in baking or cooking recipes without losing coconut milk's thick and silky consistency.

To freeze coconut milk, place milk in ice cubes trays, leaving some headspace at the top of each cube. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. This will make portioning and defrosting much easier when you're ready to use the coconut milk again.

To thaw frozen coconut milk, transfer frozen cubes to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Once defrosted, blend the milk thoroughly before use.

4. Keep in the freezer up to 1 month.

How long does coconut milk last in the freezer? Coconut milk can keep in the freezer up to 1 month. Coconut milk must be stored in a freezer-safe, airtight container that is sealed well.

5. Watch, smell and taste

This is another frequent question that comes up - how can you tell if canned coconut milk has gone bad? The best way is to smell and look at the canned coconut milk: if the canned coconut milk smells sour or rancid, looks yellow or dark, tastes sour, then immediately discard the milk.

Do not use canned coconut milk if the can is leaking, badly dented, rusted, bulged, or spurting liquid when opened.

However, if you open a can of coconut milk and see that the solid white "cream" is separated on top of the can and the liquid at the bottom, this is normal and the milk is not spoiled. This separation of fat from the liquid is due to changes in temperatures and high-fat content. Simply stir the coconut milk to reconstitute and enjoy in your favorite dishes!