We know that it’s incomplete to make a curry recipe or cream-based recipe without using Coconut Cream. Coconut Cream gives a creamy texture to the recipe/dish and a soothing aroma of coconut that relish the dish even more. You can use Coconut Cream in savory dishes as well as in desserts.
In case, you don’t have Coconut Cream or you run out of it, you can use Coconut Cream substitutes so that your recipe wouldn’t be ruined. Before going ahead to know about its substitutes, you need to know what is Coconut Cream actually.
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What is Coconut Cream?
Coconut Cream contains higher fat content than Coconut Milk. It has a thicker consistency. Both Coconut Cream and milk taste similar, but Coconut Cream is not sweetened.
Nutrient Profile of Coconut Cream:
A one-tablespoon serving of coconut cream contains the following nutrients.
- Calories: 68
- Protein: Less than 1 gram
- Fat: 3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Fiber: Less than 1 gram
- Sugar: 10 grams
Health Benefits of Coconut Cream:
- Coconut Cream improves immunity.
- It gives lots of energy than fat.
- Adding Coconut Cream to your diet regularly may slow down the aging process.
- Coconut Cream prevents dehydration.
- Helps to stimulate bowel movement.
What can I Substitute for Coconut Cream?
If your recipe/dish calls for Coconut Cream and you run out of it, you need to use its substitutes. Every ingredient or spice has its substitutes. Similarly, Coconut Cream has its own. Substitutes work pretty much the same as the original ingredient. As you can see we have a list of Coconut Cream substitutes right here.
1. Greek Yogurt:
If you don’t have Coconut Cream, you can use Greek Yogurt in the same way to thicken the curry recipe. Some other thickeners take away the complex blend of the flavors whereas Greek Yogurt adds flavor to the recipe and works the same as Coconut Cream. On the other hand, if you are cooking a recipe that calls for a coconut flavor, add an equal amount of Greek Yogurt in place of Coconut Cream with a tablespoon of Coconut Oil or desiccated coconut.
2. Heavy Cream:
Heavy Cream has the same consistency as Coconut Cream. It works perfectly when used in a curry recipe or cream-based stews. Heavy Cream is a good Coconut Cream replacement because it gives the perfect texture after thickening the recipe. You might get confused between Heavy Cream and Whipped Cream at the store.
Heavy Cream is totally different whereas Whipped Cream is solidified and has no water content. This is perfect for desserts not for savory dishes/recipes. 1 cup of Heavy Cream is enough to replace 1 cup of Coconut Cream.
3. Sour Cream:
Sour Cream is a fermented dairy product. It is thick and tangy in taste. If you run out of Coconut Cream, you can use Sour Cream instead. This may not taste like coconut. You have to add some desiccated coconut to make it thicker. Use fresh Sour Cream otherwise it might be tangier than the regular one and might ruin your recipe.
4. Cashew Cream:
Cashew Cream is a versatile substitute that people can use when making sweet and savory recipes. Cashew Cream is thick in consistency which is good for curry and stews. You can make your own Cashew Cream at home. You just need some water-soaked Cashews, water, and a pinch of salt. Blend it well until it gets smooth. Instead of Heavy Cream, you can use Cashew Cream to thicken curries, soups, tomato sauces, and stews.
5. Whole Milk:
When you don’t find anything in your kitchen or pantry, you can use Whole Milk as a substitute to get a similar taste to coconut milk. You can actually make it work with savory and sweet dishes. Yeah! we know that you are thinking about consistency. You can add 2 teaspoons of flour with 1 cup of milk to increase its thickness. It works really well. You just need 1 cup of Whole Milk in place of 1 cup of Coconut Cream mixed with flour. You can use this method in other creamy recipes.
6. Low-Fat Yogurt:
Considering a healthy option, you can also use low-fat yogurt as a Coconut Cream alternative. We have already ended up using it with most of my dishes to make them creamy and tasty. Also, regular yogurt adds creaminess and thickens the sauce. This is the natural food thickener after cornstarch. You can take 3/4 cup of yogurt to replace 1 cup of Coconut Cream.
7. Coconut Syrup:
Coconut Syrup is a great substitute for Coconut Cream while it can’t mimic the thick creaminess of Coconut Cream, but has a sweet coconut flavor. Coconut Syrup works perfectly with flavored teas, smoothies, cocktails, and coffee. You can add extra creaminess by adding some milk. It can be cow’s milk, rice milk, or almond milk. Coconut Syrup can also be used in baking recipes that call for Coconut Cream.
8. Coconut Milk:
Coconut Milk is similar in taste to Coconut Cream but has a thinner consistency. You should take 1/2 cup of Coconut Milk in place of 1 cup of Coconut Cream. You can add coconut extract or desiccated coconut to make it thicker.
9. Almond Milk:
For health-conscious vegans, we have a perfect Coconut Cream substitute. Almond Milk is nut-based milk you can use when you don’t have Coconut Cream in your kitchen or pantry. You can also make it yourself at home, you just need almonds, water, and a blender. It can be a little thinner as compared to Coconut Cream. You can add 2 teaspoons of flour to make it thicken.
10. Rice Milk:
Another vegan-friendly choice is Rice Milk. It is similar to Almond Milk. If you don’t have this one in your pantry, you can make your own at home. You just need some rice, water, nuts, and a blender. We know that you wouldn’t go for a purchase in case of urgency. So, make your own at home. This can be used in both savory and baked dishes like rice puddings, bread puddings, cookies, and other baked dishes.
11. Creamed Coconut:
Creamed Coconut is referred to as Coconut Butter. It comes in solid blocks and can easily substitute Coconut Cream. This is a great alternative to add flavor and texture to curries and sauces. You just need to heat two tablespoons with a splash of water to make a creamy textured paste, then add it to the recipe to make a great substitute.
FAQ:-
Are Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream the same thing?
The difference between Coconut Milk and Cream is similar to the difference between dairy milk and cream. Both Coconut Milk and Cream are made from the same ingredients such as Coconut, Water, and sometimes guar gum for stabilizing, but Coconut Cream is high in fat content in comparison to Coconut Milk (less water, more coconut) therefore it's thicker.
What is the best Coconut Cream?
Savoy Coconut Cream – 10/10 – firm on top, liquid on the bottom, super fluffy/creamy when scooped out – guar free! Nature’s Charm Coco Whipping Cream – 10/10 whipped nicely, used the whole can, subtly sweetened, so delicious. Aroy-D – 10/10 – amazingly fluffy when scooped out – little liquid on the bottom. Whips like a dream – guar free! 365 Whole Foods Organic Coconut Milk – 9/10 – firm to scoop out, half liquid, not too grainy – blended perfectly, especially after adding some of the coconut water to the bowl. Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk Classic – 8/10 – firm to scoop out, ⅓ liquid – whips up nicely, especially with the addition of a little coconut water from the can.
Is Coconut Cream healthier than Dairy Cream?
Coconut Cream is a high-calorie food. Using Coconut Cream in place of dairy cream may help you gain weight especially when you are using sweetened coconut cream.
Now, you know the best Coconut Cream Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also buy from amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you 🙂
