Yes, You Can Freeze Coconut Milk.
I spent most of my free time as a teenager in the kitchen, cooking Thai food with my mother. She firmly adhered to the practice of using every last drop of ingredients. If there was any coconut milk left, it went into the refrigerator and we used it for random items (coffee, cereal, rice) until it was ready within a day or two. It was never placed in the freezer because it would turn into a disgusting curdled mass when defrosted.
I’ve talked before about what you should do with the remaining half can of coconut milk before it goes bad, but it turns out I was thinking about this conundrum completely wrong. All my life I thought freezing was not an option. But that’s true. Yes, you can (and should) freeze leftover coconut milk.
I wasn’t wrong in thinking that once defrosted it looks like hell – gritty and broken, like spoiled cottage cheese – but it’s not really spoiled. What my mother and I didn’t know at the time was that defrosted coconut milk could be perfectly rejuvenated by gently heating it. These lumps and clumps are just ice crystals and coagulated fat, and the heat melts both.
I learned this important truth from one of my most trusted sources for Thai food, Hot Thai Kitchen on Instagram . (In case you’re wondering, when I shared this revelation with my mom, she acted like she knew about it all along. Parents.)
How to Freeze Coconut Milk
Any coconut milk you don’t plan to use within the next five days can be frozen. First, I like to pour the contents of the jar into a freezer-safe bag or container. (I put the bag in a measuring cup so I don’t have to keep it open.) If you choose a container, you may want to divide the milk into smaller portions to make it easier to defrost.
If you are using a ziplock bag that can be frozen, squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the top. Place it on a small metal baking sheet and place it in the freezer. If you freeze it horizontally, the milk will freeze faster and will be easier to portion later. Flat items are also easier to stack , optimizing freezer space.
How to Defrost Frozen Coconut Milk
When you’re ready to use frozen coconut milk, remove it from the freezer and bend the ice board to break it into chunks while it’s still in the bag. Pour as much frozen coconut milk as you want into a microwave-safe saucepan or measuring cup. Heat the milk over low heat or in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds until it has melted and returned to its normal smooth and silky consistency.
Alternatively, you can simply toss the frozen pieces directly into the food you’re preparing. For example, if I’m making a curry dish, I can add frozen milk chunks the same way I would normally add liquid coconut milk. It will take an extra minute or two to warm up and power up, but then you can proceed as normal.
I have used coconut milk after it has been frozen for several weeks and have not found any texture issues or loss of flavor. According to Medical News Today, most types of milk (both dairy and non-dairy) can be frozen for up to three months . This should be enough time to make another batch of Thai curry spaghetti and meatballs .