When preparing curries, sauces or soups in advance, start by choosing coconut milk for cooking and comparing its fat content, ingredients and the quantity your recipes require. A small carton helps avoid leftovers when you only need a little; with a larger pack or a resealable carton, plan to use the product within the time stated after opening. A coconut drink may not give you the same result.
If you cook several dishes in one session, compare the product description, fat content and proportion of coconut extract. Also work out the total quantity your recipes need before choosing a pack size.
For one or two recipes, a smaller pack can help you avoid opening a large one. If you plan to use up the remainder, check that the pack can be resealed and, above all, the product-specific guidance on how soon to use it after opening.
The word ‘coconut’ alone doesn’t tell you how a product is intended to be used. Check its description and nutritional information before replacing coconut milk for cooking with a plant-based drink in a recipe.
Start with the texture you want and the quantities you’ll need, then check storage guidance for both unopened and opened products.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture of your dishes | Distinguish coconut milk for cooking from a plant-based drink; compare fat content per 100 ml and the proportion of coconut extract. | For the curries and sauces I prepare in advance, I’m looking for a creamy texture rather than a drink to add as it is. Around 36% of consumers prioritise texture. |
| How much will be left? | Compare the pack size with the recipes you plan to make and check how soon the product should be used after opening. | If I’m only making one recipe with coconut milk, I’d rather not open a large pack that I won’t finish. Around 29% of consumers put avoiding leftovers ahead of other criteria. |
| Storage | Read the storage instructions for unopened products, then check the guidance for opened products; check the date and condition of the packaging. | I keep ingredients for my next cooking session and need to know when to put them in the fridge. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the ingredients list, allergen information and fat content, including saturated fatty acids, per 100 ml. | I want to compare product recipes and the amount I’ll use per portion, rather than relying on the brand name alone. Around 14% of consumers make this their top priority. |
The Alpro drink featured by Carrefour contains 0.9 g of fat per 100 ml, compared with 17 to 19 g per 100 ml stated for some Auchan and Vietcoco cooking products. Replacing one with the other in the same quantity can change the texture of your dish.
Before substituting, compare the product description and fat content per 100 ml, then adapt your recipe to suit the product you choose.
Storage guidance varies: Auchan says to use its semi-thick coconut milk within 48 hours of opening, while the resealable Suzi Wan carton featured by Auchan says to keep it in the fridge and use it within five days.
Work out how much you need for your dishes and follow the guidance on the pack you open.
The Codex Alimentarius describes the removal of fibres and filterable residues during the preparation of coconut milk. However, this term alone doesn’t tell you the ingredients in a particular product or how long it will keep.
Choose based on the product description, ingredients, nutritional information and instructions on the packaging.
Values vary from one product to another. A product being plant-based doesn’t remove the need to check its fat and saturated fatty acid content in the nutritional information.
Compare the values per 100 ml, then relate them to the amount of coconut milk your recipe actually uses.
Carrefour’s 200 ml product is a useful comparison for recipes that call for a small amount of coconut milk for cooking.
The Auchan products mentioned include a pack of three 20 cl UHT cartons and cooking products in other sizes.
The 200 ml Eco+ carton is another useful point of comparison for smaller packs.
The 20 cl Kara organic carton featured by Auchan is a useful reference for comparing the ingredients in a small cooking product.
Alpro’s coconut drink is a useful reference for distinguishing a plant-based drink from coconut milk for cooking.
Aldi sells Asia Green Garden coconut milk in a 400 ml pack.
These Joybuy products come in sizes from 150 ml to 1 L, for one-off recipes or several dishes prepared close together. Compare the quantity you’ll use with the instructions for each product before choosing.
Image unavailable
The 1 L size is worth considering if you’re using coconut milk in several recipes over a short period.
The product name states 17 to 19% fat; plan to use the pack after opening in line with the instructions on the packaging.
Image unavailable
The 150 ml pack may suit a one-off recipe; check how many you’d need for several dishes.
The product name states 18% fat.
Image unavailable
Compare the 400 ml size with the quantity you need for your curries or soups.
For this product, Joybuy advises refrigerating after opening and using within three days. Check the packaging for storage instructions before opening.
Image unavailable
This 200 ml carton is better suited to a small recipe than a large batch.
The fat content stated in the product name differs from the value in the nutritional table. Check the packaging if this affects your choice.
Image unavailable
Choose the 1 L pack only if your recipes will use it within the stated time after opening.
If fat content affects the texture you’re looking for, check the value on the packaging before comparing this product with other options.
No. This word alone isn’t enough to help you choose coconut milk for cooking. The Codex Alimentarius refers to the removal of fibres and filterable residues when the product is prepared, but the English word by itself doesn’t tell you the ingredients, texture or storage conditions for a particular product. Compare the product description, nutritional information and label instead.
Yes, if the storage instructions for the unopened product allow it. Auchan says its 17% UHT Coco cuisine can be stored at room temperature before opening. Once opened, this product should be refrigerated and used within five days. Check the instructions for every other product separately.
Not without adapting the recipe if you want a similar result. The Alpro drink featured by Carrefour contains 0.9 g of fat per 100 ml and 5.3% coconut milk, while some Auchan and Vietcoco cooking products state 17 to 19 g of fat per 100 ml. Consider the texture you want before making the substitution.
Start with the product description, ingredients, quantity, nutritional information and storage instructions for the specific product. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of the product description on food labels; Service Public Entreprendre states that allergens must be listed. If a particular ingredient matters to you, check the packaging of the product you choose.