What to Do With Leftover Coconut Milk (7 Easy Ideas)

Opened a can of coconut milk for a recipe and now you’re left with half of it in the fridge?

I’ve been there more times than I can count. The good news is, leftover coconut milk is incredibly easy to use, and it never has to go to waste.

Leftover coconut milk ideas with Thai curry, coconut rice, banana dessert, and drink.

Top tip for preventing leftovers

Most recipes only use part of a carton or can.

I used to buy 1-liter cartons because they’re cheaper, but that leftover coconut milk would sit in the back of the fridge… and somehow always get forgotten.

Box of Aroy-D coconut milk being picked from a supermarket shelf.

These days, I stick to smaller 250 ml cartons. One or two is usually enough for most recipes, and I don’t end up with a half-full carton lost in the fridge a few days later!

Aroy-D 100% coconut milk carton (250 ml) on wooden surface.

7 Easy ways to use leftover coconut milk

1: Freeze it for later

Coconut milk freezes really well, which makes this one of the easiest ways to avoid waste.

If you’re not using it within a few days, just freeze it so you always have some ready when you need it.

Pour it into:

ice cube trays
small containers

Once frozen, you can thaw it in the fridge the night before cooking or add it straight into hot dishes. Next time you’re cooking, you don’t have to open a whole new can.

2: Make my favorite banana coconut milk dessert

This is my go-to whenever I have leftover coconut milk in the fridge. It’s super easy to make and so delicious. It’s super easy to make and so delicious. Warm, creamy, and slightly sweet, especially yummy after dinner!

Traditional Thai dessert of bananas simmered in sweet coconut milk, served in a patterned blue and white bowl with a spoonful lifted.

All you need is:

coconut milk
ripe bananas
a little sugar
a pinch of salt

Simmer everything together for a few minutes until the bananas are soft and the coconut milk turns slightly thick and glossy.

If you want the full version, you can check out my banana in coconut milk recipe.

3: Make coconut rice

If you already have jasmine rice at home, making coconut rice is an easy win.

Thai coconut jasmine rice in a coconut shell bowl placed on a woven mat with a wooden table background.

Use:

1 cup jasmine rice
¾ cup coconut milk
¾ cup water
¼ tsp salt

Combine rinsed rice with coconut milk, water, and salt in a pot. Cook over low heat for about 15–20 minutes, until the rice is soft and fluffy.

It comes out slightly creamy and pairs really well with grilled or stir-fried dishes.

4: Add it to stir-fries

You don’t need much, just a few tablespoons can change the whole dish.

Add coconut milk toward the end of cooking, and it creates a light, creamy coating that clings to the ingredients.

5: Make a Thai curry

Coconut milk is the base of most Thai curries. The curry paste is first cooked in the coconut milk until it becomes fragrant and slightly oily, then vegetables and protein are added to finish the dish.