Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for coconut milk
Best swap for coconut milk: Heavy cream, 1:1; richer, no coconut flavor; adds milk.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Coconut Milk?
The best swap for Coconut Milk is Heavy Cream, 1:1; richer, no coconut flavor; adds milk. Another option is Evaporated Milk, 1:1; less rich, no coconut flavor; adds milk. The table below also lists Oat Milk, 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Heavy cream | 1:1; richer, no coconut flavor; adds milk |
| Evaporated milk | 1:1; less rich, no coconut flavor; adds milk |
| Oat milk | 1:1; much lighter, works in soups/curries |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Buying more? Storage times for coconut milk