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Recipe for coconut milk kefir that is delicious, creamy, and loaded with probiotics to facilitate a healthy gut and immune system.
Coconut milk kefir is an absolutely delicious, effervescent drink that adds variety to smoothies and other drinks. It is a great substitute for grass-fed milk kefir if there is an allergy or poor quality source. When made with fresh, raw coconut milk, the flavor is simply out of this world!
Raw, coconut milk kefir is an absolute tonic for those with gut problems. It digests very easily giving ample energy and focus to your morning if consumed with breakfast.
I prefer coconut milk kefir vs coconut milk yogurt. The reason isΒ that yogurt only has 2-5 strains of beneficial bacteria, none of which aggressively attack and destroy pathogens in the gut. Therefore, in a gut that is dominated by pathogens and candida (as in someone who has taken many rounds of antibiotics and other prescription drugs over the years and/or eats primarily high sugar processed foods), yogurt tends to have only a temporary impact in favor of the beneficial strains.
Coconut milk kefir, on the other hand, has about 30 beneficial strains of bacteria and yeasts. These strains aggressively recolonize the gut by destroying pathogens. As a result, kefir has the potential to permanently alter the gut environment for the better.
Drink coconut milk kefir plain or blended with fruit in a bowl or in a smoothie.Β Try it and see for yourself!
If you prefer to learn how to make dairy milk kefir, check out the article plus video at the link. If a lighter beverage is more your thing, this article plus video shows you how to make water kefir.
DIY Coconut Milk Kefir
In the video included with the recipe below, I discuss the cost of making coconut milk fresh as opposed to buying organic coconut milk in cans. Which do you think is more economical and which is most nutritious?
I personally always opt for fresh and raw if possible. Anything that is canned and processed would not match the superior taste of homemade coconut milk. And when you make coconut milk kefir with it, that excellent flavor is definitely noticeable.
Where to get a kefir culture to make some yourself? Check out myΒ Healthy Shopping ListΒ for some ideas or find a friend who is already making coconut milk kefir and get a starter culture from her. Be sure to use the right kefir grains though! This article plus video shows you how to tell the difference between milk kefir grains and water kefir grains.
Homemade Coconut Milk Kefir
Recipe for homemade whole coconut milk kefir using 1 quart of homemade or canned coconut milk and 1/4 cup milk kefir grains.
Ingredients
- 1 quart whole coconut milk about 2 1/2 cans
- 1/4 cup milk kefir grains
- 1 wide mouth mason jar
Instructions
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Pour the coconut milk into a clean wide mouth mason jar.
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Add live milk kefir grains. Take care not to use water kefir grains by mistake!
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Screw on the lid. No need to stir the grains into the coconut milk.
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Leave on the counter for 24 hours and then refrigerate.
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Strain out kefir grains when ready to make another batch and repeat. No need to rinse the live grains between batches.Β
Only use milk kefir grains in coconut milk once or twice before making a batch with dairy milk again to re-strengthen them. If you will only be making coconut milk kefir and never dairy milk kefir, then you might want to purchase single-use powdered milk kefir packets instead.
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Coconut milk kefir is not very thick and is more like drinkable style yogurt. It tastes effervescent and lightly fermented and is perfect for blending into smoothies.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Instead of canned coconut milk, feel free to substitute a 16 oz bag of fresh, frozen coconut meat from an Asian supermarket blended with the fresh coconut water from cracking open 2 young coconuts. This process is demonstrated in this article plus video on how to make coconut milk.
i bought coconut cream instead of coconut milk, can i add water to make coconut milk and use it for kefir? And also i would like to know if i could use readymade grassfeed milk kefir to make coconut milk kefir?
Thank you for your time.
No you cannot dilute coconut cream with water to make coconut kefir. I do not think using grassfed milk kefir will work as the starter for coconut milk kefir as it likely won’t be potent enough.
I’ve made a couple of batches of coconut milk kefir with canned coconut milk. However, it solidifies once I refrigerate it, due to the fat. Am I missing something? How do I keep it liquified? Thanks!
It will naturally liquefy at 76F. There is nothing you can do about coconut fat which always solidifies when chilled.
HI I’ve been reading a lot about kefir ,I have the water kefir going but here in Canada you can’t buy raw milk so I can’t make milk kefir and I don’t want to use the powder ,what do I do
https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-get-raw-milk-in-canada/
HI, Andree,
I am a nutritionist to be, specialising in managing chronic illness (including sugar and salt imbalance).
May I ask if you have any reported conditions or symptoms? If, diabetes which type?
Fermenting is great for many illnesses, but like all foods never let it take over your whole diet without giving your body time to adjust to the changes. Your body will show adverse effects if you have too much such as diarrhea, heartburn, infections in your urinary tract (burning sensation), and similar. If you experience these cut back in frequency and quantity. Stay on the amount that you are symptom-free for a minimum of 6 months then increase a bit (but instead of increasing the kefir, I recommend adding other fermented foods to create a balance of good bacteria to heal you).
In her recipe for coconut kefir, she states:
“Only use milk kefir grains in coconut milk once or twice before making a batch with dairy milk again to re-strengthen them. If you will only be making coconut milk kefir and never dairy milk kefir, then you might want to purchase single use powdered milk kefir packets instead.” Does that help?
I have been making dehydrated organic coconut milk with shredded coconut and filtered water. Is this an appropriate method? Would I be able to use this coconut milk for making kefir?
That should work ok. I’ve make coconut milk using that method before, but have not attempted to ferment it. Let us know how it goes if you try it!
Hi,
HELP PLEASE!!!!
I’ve been spending hours reading on the internet and youtube trying to learn if I can
do a second fermantation with coconut kefir!! Can you please tell me if it’s good to
do?
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Nita
Hi! I really enjoyed reading your article. I don’t eat dairy and was considering using milk kefir grains with coconut milk. However, I am bit worried of the presence of yeasts in kefir. Can that be a problem for yeast infections?
Thank you,
Susana
The yeasts in kefir are beneficial and will fight the pathogenic yeasts like candida. No worries there π
Hi Sarah,
Very happy to find your site in Melbourne Australia.
I made lots of raw milk kefir watching your videos and with the help of a Russian friend I was able to source live grains and continue to divide and pass on live culture. I have made a coconut milk batch of yoghurt with the grains and want to ask you, how much is enough to drink per day with out over doing it as it is addictive?
I also want to make the water kefir, but is the sugar content ok for diabetics?
Thanks for all your good work, you are a blessing,
Regards
Andree
Hi Sarah,
I heard you talk at the WAPF conference in Ca.
Thanks for your wonderful videos! How long can kafir grains stay in the dormant little jar with milk? Can they die if left too long without making a new batch?
Geri