The Ultimate Search for the Best Canned Coconut Milk

The best canned coconut milk is the Thai Kitchen organic coconut milk.

As I use a lot of coconut milk in my cooking, I am pretty picky about what I add to my dishes. Not to mention, as a nutritionist, I am also quite concerned about the ingredients that I find in various brands. Thus, I have spent quite a bit of time trying to find a balance and locate the cream of the crop.

Still, I know that not all people are looking for the same kind of coconut milk. This is why I have also included the top contenders for light coconut milk and what to use with desserts. In this post, you can also find a guide on choosing the best options for yourself.

Best Thick Canned Coconut Milk

Thai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk,...

(8538)

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Best Canned Light Coconut Milk

365 by Whole Foods Market, Coconut Milk Light...

(4264)

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Best Canned Organic Coconut Milk

Native Forest Organic Classic Coconut Milk, 13.5...

(3846)

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Best Canned Coconut Milk without Stabilizers

Organic Coconut Milk by Nature’s Greatest Foods...

(1151)

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Best Asian Canned Coconut Milk for Curry

Four Elephants Simply More Rich, More Creamy, and...

(213)

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The Best Canned Coconut Milk Brands

Now let’s take a look at which coconut milk brands are best for your cooking needs.

Thai Kitchen

Best Thick Canned Coconut Milk

Thai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk,...

(8538)

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This is one of the more popular brands out there and it isn’t difficult to see why.

The quality of this coconut milk makes it versatile and suitable for a wide variety of recipes.

What we Like:

• Well-Sourced Milk: this coconut milk is taken from the first pressing of the coconut meat. As such, it is rich and undiluted, not to mention quite authentic.
• Excellent Texture: this is one of the thicker coconut milks around. The guar gum adds body to the milk, producing a creamy texture.
• Easily Blended: it doesn’t matter how you use this milk, you can guarantee that it will blend with the other ingredients quickly.

What We Don't Like:

• Mild Taste: the taste of coconut milk isn’t very strong with this brand. So, if you’re looking for something more potent, you may need to look elsewhere.
  

365 Everyday Value

Best Canned Light Coconut Milk

365 by Whole Foods Market, Coconut Milk Light...

(4264)

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Are you looking for a healthier or diet-friendly version of coconut milk? Then look no further than this 365 Everyday Value light version.

What We Like:

• Lower in Fat: this brand boasts up to 67 percent less fat than most other coconut milks. Thus, you will only be consuming 4g of fat per serving.
• Lower in Calories: this is excellent if you are counting calories. Each one-fourth of a cup has just 40 calories.
• Good Value: you will be hard-pressed to find such good coconut milk at this price. Thus, it is a great option if you use coconut milk in your cooking on a daily basis.

What We Don't Like:

• Can Be Difficult to Reconstitute: this coconut milk has a tendency to thicken and separate, which makes it difficult to reconstitute and combine with certain other ingredients.
  

Native Forest

Best Canned Organic Coconut Milk

Native Forest Organic Classic Coconut Milk, 13.5...

(3846)

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This is a premium quality coconut milk, ensuring that you are adding a wholesome and healthy ingredient to your food.

What We Like:

• Well-Sourced Coconuts: the coconuts are sourced from an organic farm where they are specifically grown and processed to meet USDA Organic standards.
• Wholesome Ingredients: although there is a small quantity of guar gum added to this coconut milk, it is organic as well.
• Healthy Option: this coconut milk has less sodium, no sugar, and a good amount of potassium. This alone puts it ahead of its competitors in terms of being healthy.

What We Don't Like:

• Thinner Consistency: this coconut milk is thinner than many other types and may not be suitable for all recipes.
  

Nature’s Greatest Foods

Best Canned Coconut Milk without Stabilizers

Organic Coconut Milk by Nature’s Greatest Foods...

(1151)

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Many organic foods do have added ingredients. However, if you want coconut milk that contains no additives or stabilizers, this is the brand for you.

What We Like:

• Simple Ingredients: there are just two ingredients in this formula – coconut extract and water. As such, it is one of the purer coconut milks you can get.
• Rich Taste: this has a rich and creamy taste that works well with various kinds of foods, particularly where a strong coconut flavor is required.
• Blends Well: this coconut milk blends well with many components, making it a breeze to use in your cooking.

What We Don't Like:

• Very Oily: this coconut milk has a high-fat content and can often feel rather oily in certain recipes.
  

Four Elephants

Best Asian Canned Coconut Milk for Curry

Four Elephants Simply More Rich, More Creamy, and...

(213)

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If you are looking for a more authentic coconut milk to use in Asian cooking, this is it. You can guarantee that your recipes will taste a lot better.

What We Like:

• High-Quality Milk: this milk uses premium coconuts that are organic and safely processed. This makes it a lot healthier and safer for you to consume.
• Great Taste: this milk has an incredibly rich, coconut-y taste that goes perfectly with various herbs and spices.
• Creamy Texture: the thickness of this coconut milk ensures that your resulting curry will be nice and creamy.
  

Related Reading
Best Coconut Milk for Curry: The Search for Creamy Goodness
A New Go-To For Your Pantry: The Best Coconut Milk Brands

The Top Tips for Selecting Canned Coconut Milk

Before unveiling the top picks, here are some tips you should follow when selecting canned coconut milk:

Look for BPA-Free Cans

As you are exclusively looking for canned coconut milk, be aware that some cans contain a BPA plastic lining inside.

Now, BPA is a rather controversial substance as it does give rise to various health problems. Thus, whenever possible, get BPA-free cans.

In some instances, this will be mentioned by the manufacturer. In others, you may need to do your own research.

The good news, though, is that most cans these days are free of this component.

Steer Clear Of Carrageenan

You should also be aware of the ingredients added to your coconut milk.

In most cases, the additives are stabilizers meant to keep the coconut milk from separating. Many of these added ingredients are harmless.

However, try to avoid any brands that carry carrageenan. Some experts believe that this component can cause stomach problems.

It is best to steer clear of this, just to be on the safe side.  

Read the Labels

Not all coconut milk is the same.

There are low-fat, full-fat, unsweetened, and sweetened versions. It is also fairly easy to mistake coconut cream for coconut milk.

Thus, you should always take the time to read the labels and determine precisely what you are buying. This is the best way to ensure that your recipe turns out the way it should.

These are the best canned coconut milk brands out there. So, regardless of whether you want to elevate your cooking, eat healthier, or make authentic Asian cuisine, you now know the top options.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to check out our Pinterest page. You will find many more tips and informative pins regarding coconut milk.