People following a strict vegan diet
If a specific vegan claim matters for your weekly shop, check the label or claim on the packaging, then read the ingredients for the product you have chosen.
Who is this choice for?
People cooking coconut dishes and desserts
To choose the right coconut milk for a recipe, distinguish culinary coconut milk from a plant drink and compare the coconut extract content, fat content and volume.
People planning a small recipe
A small carton may be just the right amount. If you plan to use the rest later in the week, check the storage instructions too.
What should you look for first?
Start by distinguishing culinary coconut milk from a plant drink, then check for the vegan claim that meets your requirements. Next, compare the ingredients and pack size of the milks intended for your recipe.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan claim | The claim or label on the packaging of the exact product, followed by its ingredients list. | If I follow a strict vegan diet, I want to be able to check this before choosing my coconut milk. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Cooking results | The product category, percentage of coconut extract and fat content, in the units shown. | For a recipe where I want a pronounced coconut flavour and texture, I choose according to the result I’m after rather than relying on the product name alone. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and planning | The amount needed for the recipe and the storage instructions after opening. | When I’m planning one dish or several uses during the week, I want an appropriate amount and leftovers I can store according to the label. Pack size or a lighter option comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
Which common mistakes should you avoid?
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Confusing a coconut plant drink with culinary coconut milk
Auchan classifies products such as Alpro Coconut & Rice as plant drinks, while culinary coconut milks are intended for different uses. Swapping one for the other without adjusting the recipe can change the result.
Check the product description and coconut extract content before replacing the ingredient specified in a sauce, soup or dessert.
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Assuming ‘vegetarian’ means vegan-certified
These claims do not cover the same requirements. Carrefour’s product listing for Real Thai says ‘vegetarian’; this does not confirm that the product carries a vegan label.
If you require a specific certification, check the label on the packaging of the product you buy and read its ingredients.
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Assuming light, concentrated milk and cream are interchangeable
Carrefour’s listings give Suzi Wan Light as 22% coconut extract and 4 g of fat per 100 ml, compared with 85% extract and 19 g per 100 ml for Real Thai. Carrefour Bio coconut cream is another culinary product category altogether.
Start with the texture your recipe calls for, and compare the nutritional information and units before switching products.
Brands and ranges to know
Jardin Bio Étic
Organic culinary coconut milk in a 22.5 cl can, described as ‘Vegan’ on the Auchan listing for this product.
- Auchan states that it contains 68% coconut extract and should be refrigerated for four days after opening.
- If you require the V-Label, check that it appears on the packaging: the ‘Vegan’ claim on the listing alone does not prove that the logo is present.
Real Thai
Culinary coconut milk listed by Carrefour as containing 85% coconut extract.
- The listed ingredients are coconut extract and water; the nutritional information gives 19 g of fat per 100 ml.
- The listing describes it as vegetarian. If you require a vegan product, check the claim on the packaging of the exact product you buy.
Suzi Wan
Light culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton, worth comparing for recipes that call for a less rich option.
- Carrefour states that it contains 22% coconut extract and 4 g of fat per 100 ml.
- Its coconut extract content differs from the concentrated products mentioned here. If a vegan claim matters to you, check the packaging too.
Carrefour Bio
Organic culinary coconut cream to consider when a recipe calls for cream rather than coconut milk.
- Carrefour’s listing states that it contains 89% coconut extract and 21 g of fat per 100 ml.
- Don’t automatically use this cream instead of light coconut milk or a plant drink. Check the label if you need a specific vegan claim.
Tables du Monde
Culinary coconut milk in a 200 ml carton, featured on an E.Leclerc product listing.
- The listed ingredients include 63% coconut extract, water and xanthan gum.
- If you need a vegan-certified product, check the packaging of this one before choosing it.
Coconut milk available on Joybuy
These cans of culinary coconut milk come in sizes from 165 to 400 ml, so you can match them to the recipes you have planned for the week. If you need a specific vegan claim or certification, check the packaging of each product.
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Renuka Coconut Milk Light 9%, 400 ml can
Worth considering for a recipe that calls for canned culinary coconut milk. The listing describes it as suitable for a vegan diet; if you require a specific certification, check the packaging of the product you receive.
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Wind Mill Coconut Milk, 165 ml can
This size suits recipes that need only a small amount of coconut milk. The listing says it is suitable for a vegan diet; check the packaging if you’re looking for a particular label.
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Valle Del Sole Coconut Milk 6%, 400 ml
Compare it with the amount needed for a sauce or soup made with coconut milk. The listing describes it as suitable for a vegan diet; check the label on the product delivered if you need a certification.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether coconut milk is suitable for a strict vegan diet?
Look for a verifiable vegan claim or a label that meets your requirements on the packaging, then read the ingredients list for the exact product. According to the Association Végétarienne de France, the vegan version of the V-Label confirms that the ingredients are plant-based; check that the logo appears on the product you buy.
Is the ‘vegetarian’ claim enough to choose vegan coconut milk?
No. ‘Vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’ do not mean the same thing. If a vegan claim is essential to you, don’t assume that a ‘vegetarian’ claim means the product is certified vegan; check the packaging.
Can a coconut plant drink replace coconut milk in a recipe?
Not automatically. Choose a product based on its category and the result your recipe calls for. For a curry, soup or dessert that needs culinary coconut milk, compare the coconut extract content and fat content before considering a substitute.
How long can you keep coconut milk after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. For the 22.5 cl Jardin Bio Étic coconut milk featured by Auchan, the listing says to keep it refrigerated and use it within four days of opening. This time limit does not automatically apply to other products.