Thai Curry Without Canned Coconut Milk

Looking for a quick Thai curry solution and wondering whether it absolutely needs a can of coconut milk? Here's an honest look at how coconut milk is used in Kooray — plus general tips for making Thai curry entirely without any form of coconut.

In short: Kooray organic instant curry sauce contains coconut milk powder as an ingredient and is therefore not coconut-free — but you don't need an extra can of coconut milk, just water. If you want to avoid coconut entirely, you can prepare curries instead with, for example, vegetable broth, oat or almond drink, and cashew butter.

Does Kooray contain coconut milk?

Yes, all four Kooray varieties — Red, Green, Yellow, and Massaman — contain coconut milk powder (coconut milk, maltodextrin) as one of the main ingredients. Kooray is therefore not a coconut-free product. The difference from classic preparation: you don't need to buy or open an extra can of coconut milk, since the coconut milk is already included in the powder.

How does preparation without a can work?

You simply empty one sachet (48 g) of Kooray powder into a pan or mug, fill with water up to the 200 ml mark, stir everything, and bring it briefly to a boil. After about 3 minutes you have 220 ml of finished curry sauce — no can opener needed, just water. More on preparation can be found on the product pages in the shop.

Is Thai curry really possible entirely without coconut?

Yes, in principle Thai curry can be made entirely without any form of coconut milk — this is general cooking knowledge and independent of Kooray products. Instead of coconut milk, you can make the base of a curry sauce with, for example, vegetable broth, unsweetened oat or almond drink, or mixed cashew butter. These ingredients thicken and cream the sauce in a different way, but they also change the flavor noticeably compared to a classic coconut curry sauce.

Tips for your own coconut-free curries

If you simmer a curry paste or spice mix yourself with vegetable broth instead of coconut milk, the sauce becomes thinner and less creamy. A splash of unsweetened oat or almond drink can bring back some creaminess, while cashew butter also adds thickening and a nutty undertone. These tips apply to preparation with loose curry paste or spices — they don't transfer to Kooray powder, since it already contains pre-balanced coconut milk powder.

Which Kooray variety fits if coconut flavor isn't an issue?

If you're generally fine with coconut milk and just want to cook quickly, you'll find the right heat level in the Thai Curry Guide or directly in the overview of all varieties.

Are the Kooray varieties otherwise organic and vegan?

Yes, regardless of the coconut milk question, all four Kooray varieties — Red, Green, Yellow, and Massaman — are certified organic (Öko-Kontrollstelle DE-ÖKO-003), 100% plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free, made without artificial additives, flavors, or colors. The patented production process with gentle roasting is also meant to support aroma and shelf life.

How many portions do I get per pack?

A pack in the online shop contains 12 sachets of 48 g each (576 g total) for €27.50, which works out to about €2.29 per portion. A bundle with all four varieties is also available if you want to try Red, Green, Yellow, and Massaman at once.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kooray coconut-free?

No. All Kooray varieties contain coconut milk powder (coconut milk, maltodextrin) as an ingredient. It is therefore not a coconut-free product.

Do I need to add canned coconut milk to Kooray as well?

No, that's not necessary. The coconut milk is already included as powder, so you only need to add water.

How can I make Thai curry completely without coconut?

With loose curry paste or spices, you can use vegetable broth, unsweetened oat or almond drink, or cashew butter instead of coconut milk as the base. This is general cooking knowledge, independent of Kooray products.

Does a curry sauce without coconut milk taste like classic Thai curry?

The flavor differs noticeably, since coconut milk provides the typical creaminess and slight sweetness. Alternatives like cashew butter can make up for some of that, but not fully replace it.

Which Kooray variety is suitable for beginners?

The mild Bio Gelbes Thai Curry (Yellow) with turmeric and ginger aroma is considered a good starting point for families.