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Whether you’re lactose intolerant or simply looking for a change of taste, canned coconut milk is a healthy milk alternative. Filled with a variety of different ingredients, these processed cans of milk accommodate a variety of people with properties like gluten-free and kosher-free. However, not all ingredients are beneficial for your health, and picking up random canned products from the internet isn’t your safest move. Therefore, to help you out, we’ve tasted and tested the best canned coconut milk of 2024 to bring you this dairy-free list. The Vita Coco Canned Coconut Milk is our top choice on this list, but the other options are just as delicious!

 

Canned Coconut Milk: A Buying Guide

When there is such a wide range of quality canned coconut milk available on the market, it becomes quite difficult for you to make your choice. Therefore, we've created a detailed buying guide to assist you in picking the perfect canned coconut milk to fulfill your needs.

What Features Should I Look For?

Organic ingredients

Like nut milk and oat milk, coconut milk is dairy-free. Therefore, it is crucial that your dietary intake is healthy and made out of organic ingredients to ensure a nourishing diet.

Free of sweeteners

Since coconuts aren’t very sweet in taste, a lot of companies tend to add artificial sweeteners to their canned coconut milk. These artificial sweeteners can cause harmful fluctuations in blood glucose levels and can lead to unhealthy weight gain. This is why you should only buy canned coconut milk that is unsweetened or only contains natural sweeteners like honey.

Sustainable

It is important to only buy coconut that is farmed under a sustainable farming method. This method ensures that no pesticides or chemicals are used in the production of the coconuts. These pesticides and chemicals tend to make food unsafe for consumption. 

Mistakes to Avoid 

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a texturizing ingredient produced from seaweed that was formerly used in the majority of plant-based drinks. The FDA considers it safe, however, some people have experienced gastrointestinal troubles after consuming it. Moreover, it also causes stomach aches and nausea. Therefore, it is better that you avoid canned coconut milk containing carrageenan.

Not shaking or stirring the can

If you buy canned coconut milk, the thickest, creamiest component of the milk will naturally come to the top, creating a dense layer that needs to be properly mixed. Therefore, before opening a can, lightly shake it to ensure all the ingredients are mixed well. 

Sulfites

Sulfites, which are utilized as preservatives, may also be present in canned coconut milk, Sulfites can induce allergies such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, throat tightness, hives, and asthma episodes. Therefore it is best to avoid the coconut milk that contains sulfites. 

Guar gum

It's also worth mentioning that guar gum, a popular stabilizer, is frequently found in coconut milk. While guar gum is typically healthy in moderation for most people, it can cause stomach difficulties in some people. So be careful when choosing canned milk with Guar Gum. 

How To Store Canned Coconut Milk Properly?

If you have some coconut milk leftovers, you may be tempted to wrap the can in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. However, it is preferable to remove the rest of the milk from the container for storage since the milk may develop a metallic flavor. You may also freeze the remaining coconut milk in an airtight jar for up to five days.

Top Picks

  • Best Value: Vita Coco Canned Coconut Milk
  • Best Overall: Thai Kitchen Canned Coconut Milk
  • Most Versatile: Chaokoh Canned Coconut Milk
  • Most Healthy: Edward & Sons Canned Coconut Milk
  • Most Convenient: Nature’S Greatest Foods Canned Coconut Milk

Reviews

Best Value
Vita Coco Canned Coconut Milk

Vita Coco Canned Coconut Milk

Pros Cons
  • Can be stored for two years
  • Organic and environmentally friendly
  • Great in taste
  • Gluten and kosher free
  • Carrageenans can cause gut-related problems
Best Overall
Thai Kitchen Canned Coconut Milk

Thai Kitchen Canned Coconut Milk

Pros Cons
  • Free of chemicals and preservatives
  • Does not contain artificial sweeteners
  • High quality and has a rich taste
  • Thick consistency may make it difficult to use
Most Versatile
Chaokoh Canned Coconut Milk

Chaokoh Canned Coconut Milk

Pros Cons
  • High quality and versatile
  • High in nutrition
  • Made out of organic materials
  • Consistency is quite thick
Most Healthy
Edward & Sons Canned Coconut Milk

Edward & Sons Canned Coconut Milk

Pros Cons
  • Made out of healthy ingredients
  • Free of chemicals and pesticides
  • Used in a variety of diets
  • Safe to consume
  • Expensive and has a thick consistency
Most Convenient
Nature’s Greatest Foods Canned Coconut Milk

Nature’S Greatest Foods Canned Coconut Milk

Pros Cons
  • Organic and sustainable
  • Can be easily opened
  • No fluctuations in blood sugar
  • Safe from chemicals
  • The packaging may be damaged

FAQs

What is the difference between canned and normal coconut milk?
Normal coconut milk is substantially more diluted than canned coconut milk. There are relatively few additives in canned coconut milk.
Is it safe to drink canned coconut milk?
Coconut milk has health advantages when consumed in moderation, but too much might be harmful.
Can you drink canned coconut milk without cooking it?
There’s nothing wrong with drinking canned coconut milk directly out of the can!
Will canned coconut milk make me gain weight?
Just one cup of coconut milk a day will help you gain one pound in just a week as it contains a lot of additives and is high in calories and fat.