How Long Does Canned Coconut Cream Last After Opening?

Whether it's used as a vegan substitute in creamy dishes or to make authentic Southeast Asian broths and soups, coconut cream has become a staple in kitchens across the world. It is nutritious, delicious, and has just the right level of mellow sweetness that makes it versatile enough to use in desserts or to balance spices in a savory dish. However, if you're new to using coconut cream and bought some to try it in a recipe, you may be hard-pressed to find other uses for it. Worse, it can go bad pretty quickly if not stored correctly.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to ensure that no matter how much leftover coconut cream you may have, it will not go to waste. The first step is to find more uses for this versatile ingredient which is especially easy considering you can use coconut cream to make two different coconut-flavored ingredients. The second is to store it in a way that prolongs its shelf life. Coconut cream should never be left in its can and should instead be transferred to an airtight glass or plastic container and refrigerated. Stored this way, it can stay good for up to a week. If you want to store it for longer, you can also freeze coconut cream for a few months. While it may lose some of its texture, its creaminess still makes for a great addition to easy and comforting dishes like the Thai tom kha gai coconut chicken soup.

Coconut cream is made by blending coconut meat with hot water and then straining it. While it's easy enough to make at home, store-bought coconut cream may last longer because of added stabilizers and preservatives. In general, homemade coconut cream should be used up on the same day or within two days at most.

When dealing with leftover coconut cream, the faster you put it in the fridge, the better its chances. If you're freezing it, use a plastic jar (a glass jar can crack in the freezer) and cover it in a layer of foil or paper to avoid freezer burn. You can also use the plastic bag trick used to keep ice cream soft and scoopable to store coconut cream. When you thaw it, you may find the water and solids separated. Simply give the cream a good whisk until it has homogenized. While it's a good idea to always note the date when refrigerating or freezing food, don't forget to use your senses, too. If coconut cream smells or tastes sour, or seems to have discolored to a light yellow, get rid of it.