You are going to see a lot of new recipes featuring this rich and creamy coconut yogurt.
I just can’t seem to get enough of this tangy, thick, fermented coconut yogurt. It is full of healthy satiating fats and great gut-friendly probiotics, plus it is completely dairy free! I love my raw cow’s milk yogurt but having a second creamy fermented yogurt is a lot of fun to work into new and exciting recipes. It’s also extremely easy to keep a continuous culture going so you will always have coconut yogurt on hand.
Making Coconut Yogurt With Capsule Probiotics
I’ve tried the capsulated probiotic method for making coconut yogurt and never had great success. The yogurt was always runny and never got the effervescence of the store-bought coconut yogurts.
So inevitably I was buying the expensive, tangy, beautiful little glass jars of sparkly cultured coconut yogurt from the health food store.
and then it hit me…
I decided to try using the store-bought coconut yogurt as a starter. I have had great success using store-bought yogurt to culture raw milk so why not coconut milk!
Using and Maintaining a Strong Culture
I chose my favorite brand of coconut yogurt (the one with the greatest fermented fizz) and added 2 tablespoons to 2 cans of organic guar gum-free coconut milk. I mixed it well and let it ferment overnight on the counter with a loosely fitted lid. The next morning I stirred the cultured coconut milk until it was smooth and placed it in the refrigerator where it continued to ferment and thicken. After about 24 hours the yogurt has visible bubbles and had the pleasing effervescence that I was looking for!
I ate that jar of coconut yogurt pretty quickly over the next few days. Before I had eaten it all, I started a new batch the same way I had started the original. The next batch fermented just as well as the first and so did the next few batches after that one. I have no idea how long the continuous starter will last but if it ever fails or wanes in effectiveness I will update you on when and why (if I know).
Try These Recipes That Use Coconut Yogurt
Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Curry Soup
Probiotic Coconut Mango Lassi Popsicles
Thick Coconut Yogurt
This super culture will be the mother to many batches of thick, creamy, healthy, probiotic coconut yogurt.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (13.5 ounces each) organic coconut milk (guar gum free)
- 2 tablespoons coconut yogurt (either store bought or prevous batch)
Instructions
- Mix the coconut milk and coconut yogurt in a quart-sized jar.
- Add a loose-fitting lid and ferment at room temperature overnight.
- Stir the yogurt well and refrigerate the jar for at least 24 hours.
- Eat the yogurt in smoothies, with fruit, as a topping or dressing, and more.
- Remember to save 2 tablespoons to start your next batch!
Notes
There may be a tiny bit of separation at the bottom of the jar. This is normal and you can use the liquid portion in smoothies or just stir it back in.
S
Tuesday 11th of February 2025
Hi! If you want to add a flavor to it, like the old school and sadly discontinued Mangos and Cream from Coconut Cult, do you add the mango puree before fermentation, after, or somewhere in the middle? I looooved the tanginess of the mango Coconut Cult!
Butter For All
Friday 21st of March 2025
Hi S,
Yeah, that was a good flavor! I would probably add the mango puree at the beginning of fermentation, since you like that tanginess, the extra sugar in the mango should really Kickstart some culturing and fermentation.
Kenley
Tuesday 28th of January 2025
How long do you think the yogurt lasts?
Butter For All
Friday 21st of March 2025
Hi Kenley,
Since it's cultured I'd say up to 2 weeks. But always be on the lookout for any signs of contamination or mold.
Melissa
Monday 25th of November 2024
I am trying this for the first time using coconut milk from TJ and Coco June yogurt. After reading the comments, I saw that someone used coconut milk and cream from TJ. Is it safe to add cream to my current coconut milk and yogurt starter, or should I allow it to go through the full process to see what happens? I hope this makes sense, as I am new to this.
Butter For All
Thursday 28th of November 2024
Hi Melissa, I wish I'd seen this a little sooner, I do think it would be fine to add the coconut cream at any time. But to get the full benefit of the culturing I would mix it in at the beginning.
Hope you enjoy the result!
Natalie
Saturday 9th of November 2024
Can’t wait to try this! What brand of coconut yogurt did you get from the store to use as a starter?
Butter For All
Saturday 16th of November 2024
Hi Natalie! I like coconut cult or the Cocoyo brands. They seem to have the most active culture.
Merla Kreuger
Wednesday 4th of September 2024
Mine turned out kind of grainy not smooth . I used canned organic coconut milk and for the culture I used yogurt alternative from presidents choice . It didn't have the gum in it but had potato starch and pectin . Any suggestions ?
Butter For All
Friday 6th of September 2024
Hi Merla,
I would just play around with different kinds of coconut milk and different brands of coconut milk yogurt until you find one that you really like. It's hard for me to advise because they are always changing coconut milks brands and changing the formulations. The thicker the coconut milk, the better the yogurt will turn out.
I wish I could be of more help!