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Curry paste is added to chicken and simmered with coconut milk to make a heartwarming curry dish that is delicious, comforting, and extra creamy due to the addition of coconut milk.
However, you may be seeking to know how to use curry paste without coconut milk if you ran out of coconut milk. Luckily, you can make curry without coconut milk, as not all curry recipes use coconut milk as an ingredient.
Here is a list of other ingredients you can use to substitute for coconut milk in your curry.
Non-Coconut Based Substitutes For Coconut Milk In Curry
If you are allergic to coconut, have a strong aversion to anything derived from coconuts, or simply can’t get your hands on coconut milk, there are a couple of items you can use as a substitute.
They include:
Greek yogurt
Yogurt is a great substitute for coconut milk in curries; it provides a delicious combination of tang and creaminess.
It is also low in calories, making it a healthy substitute for the normally fat-laden coconut milk.
Cashew Or Almond Paste
To use cashew or almonds as a substitute for coconut milk, soak a cup of unsalted almonds or cashews overnight before blending them in a food processor adding milk or water until you achieve a creamy mixture.
Low-Fat Cream
You can achieve the same type of creaminess as coconut milk but without the coconut taste by mixing a half cup of low-fat cream with a half cup of skim milk.
Heavy Cream Or Full Cream Milk
Although not the healthiest of substitutes as it usually has more calories than coconut milk, heavy cream or full cream milk makes curries extra creamy.
However, you may need to add a quarter cup of coconut water to the cream as they are usually flavorless to give your dish a little bit of coconut flavor.
Condensed Milk
Condensed milk is very sweet, so it should be used sparingly.
Evaporated Milk
You can substitute evaporated milk for coconut milk, and you can actually get coconut-flavored evaporated milk, which is great if you are allergic to coconut.
Coconut-Based Substitutes For Coconut Milk In Curry
Here are some coconut-based substitutes for coconut milk in curry that involve some form of coconut, whether it is in essence, extract, or other forms.
Instant Coconut Milk Powder
You can find instant coconut milk powder in Asian specialty stores, and when mixed with a half cup of hot water, you can get the closest taste to fresh coconut milk.
Coconut Water Or Coconut Juice
This substitute provides the taste of coconut but without the creaminess. If you want your curry to be creamy, you can add some heavy cream.
Coconut Extract
Coconut extract is a great substitute for coconut milk, especially if it is added to a cup of yogurt or evaporated milk before being added to the curry.
Opt For A Recipe Without Coconut Milk
Although the substitutes listed above make a great replacement for coconut milk, you can decide to skip them altogether and follow a recipe that doesn’t use any dairy or creamy ingredients at all.
One great example is the jungle curry. This is a Thai curry that uses water as its soup base. It’s on the spicier side compared to other curries, and if you don’t mind extra heat, it’s a great curry version to try.
There are also other styles of Indian curry recipes that do not call for coconut milk, such as the chicken Jalfrezi which uses tomatoes as its base.
Conclusion | How To Use Curry Paste Without Coconut Milk
You might wonder if using curry paste without coconut milk would affect their overall taste, but it doesn’t. These curries taste just as delicious but in a different way; in fact, making curry without coconut milk enables you to taste the spices better.
Without coconut milk, there is no ingredient to interfere with the potent flavor of the spices. You can also make use of coconut milk substitutes to achieve a similar creamy texture that you would get when coconut milk is used. Either way, you get to enjoy a hearty bowl of delicious curry.
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