Did you know that coconut milk comes in two types– canned coconut milk and one in carton boxes? (*)
If you’re going to use it for cooking or baking, go for the canned one as it has a higher fat content and features a thicker and cream-like consistency.
Now that we’ve clarified that issue, here’s the big question we need to answer:
Where is canned coconut milk in grocery store?
Learn more: Where does coconut milk come from?
Where is Canned Coconut Milk in Grocery Store?
Since it’s a common cooking ingredient for a wide range of Latin and Asian cuisines, you may also want to take a look at the International Food aisles.
Another aisle to check out is the Canned Goods section. In this area, you may find it beside the canned tomato sauces or canned fruits and vegetable items.
If you’re at an Asian grocery store or a small store carrying International food items, head to the Condiments and Sauces section. You might find it alongside pasta sauces, fish sauces, and many more.
Where to Buy Canned Coconut Milk (and the Brands to Look For)?
Here are the stores and brands to check out if you want to get the best-canned coconut milk in the market:
Walmart
At Walmart, you can find this item in the International Foods section, specifically the Asian Food area. In some locations, they may display it in their Canned Goods section.
Some of the best brands they carry include Thai Kitchen, A Taste of Thai, and Sa Via.
Kroger
You may find the item in either the store’s International Food aisle or their Natural/ Organic Food area.
Some of the brands to look for include Simple Truth and the company’s name brand.
Target
This grocery store is home to a wide range of coconut-based products and they also carry a good selection of coconut milk brands.
The brands you might find here are Good and Gather, Silk, and Thai Kitchen.
Publix
To find the item in this store, you can head to their Asian Foods aisle. Here are some of the brands you might come across there: Goya, So Delicious, and Thai Kitchen.
Safeway
At this store, you can get your hands on the following brands: O’ Organics, Thai Kitchen, and Signature Select.
Amazon
Amazon sells the most extensive brand selection of both sweetened and unsweetened versions. Not only that, but they also offer same-day delivery so you can get the item you need without having to step out of your doorstep.
Check out the following brands if you plan to buy from Amazon: Thai Kitchen, Native Forest, and Nature’s Charm .
How to Choose the Right Coconut Milk?
To determine which of these brands you should get, here are some of the things you should consider:
Sugar Content
There are two types based on sugar content, and these are:
Unsweetened
This contains a reduced amount of sugar and is perfect for people who are want to lose weight, on a keto diet, or wish to manage their blood sugar levels.
Sweetened
This type is actually more of a drinkable type. Aside from drinking, it’s also often used for making desserts.
Fat Content
While coconut contains healthy fats, it’s also high in calories which can be a concern for people who wish to lose weight. (*)
Lucky for you, you can find one that has a lower fat content. It’s referred to as lite coconut milk.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that you will also have to sacrifice flavor when you give up the fat and calories. With that said light coconut milk may taste watered-down.
Pro Tip: To address this, you can add a bit of full-fat coconut milk to make up for the flavor loss.
Learn more: What Does Coconut Milk Taste Like?
Packaging and Label
Since there are two types of coconut milk, it’s important that you pay attention to the packaging and label.
Coconut milk used for cooking is the one that is canned, so shy away from those that come in carton boxes.
Additionally, avoid those that are labeled coconut beverages as those are the drinkable types and aren’t made for cooking.
What are the Different Ways to Use Coconut Milk?
Here are some of the ways you can incorporate coconut milk into your dishes:
- Add it to soups to give them a richer and creamier taste.
- Pour it into your curries to balance the spices and give the stew a boost of fragrance.
- Use it as a base for your smoothies for a tropical and nutritious twist.
- Add a splash of it to your cocktails to give them an exotic spin.
- Use it to make vegan-friendly whipped cream. (*)
Learn more: What To Do With Leftover Coconut Milk?
What are the Best Substitutes for Coconut Milk?
If you weren’t able to get your hands on coconut milk, here are some of the other condiments that you can use instead:
Greek Yogurt
If you just simply want to add creaminess to salad dressings or other dishes (that don’t need to be cooked), you can use Greek Yogurt.
But just a heads up, it’s tangier than coconut milk, so use this only in moderation.
Heavy Cream
This is a great alternative if you’re working on curries. To achieve the consistency of coconut milk, mix 2 parts of heavy cream with 1 part of water.
Sour Cream
Here’s another thickener you may also want to use on curries. But please keep in mind that this has a sweet taste and unique flavor, so use it only moderately.
The Bottom Line
Where is canned coconut milk in grocery store? Here are the aisles to check out:
- International Food Aisle/ Asian Food Section,
- Canned Goods Area,
- and Condiments and Sauces section.
When scanning the aisles, check the label and packaging to ensure that you’ll be getting the canned coconut milk used for cooking and not the drinkable one that comes in a carton box.
