Coconuts are chock full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and so much more. Since coconuts many health benefits, including protecting against heart disease, these coconut recipes are not only delicious, but surprisingly healthy!
38 Coconut Recipes That Are Surprisingly Good For You
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Coconut Lentils with Rice
Years ago I made this recipe for my kids, and they loved it. One of my daughter's friends would always request this dish when she came over to visit. I recommend basmati rice for this dish. —Diane Donato, Columbus, Ohio
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Coconut Curry Soup
Enjoy a taste of Thai cuisine with this coconut curry soup that needs just 20 minutes of prep time. Packed with chicken, vegetables and bold spices, it's a comforting and delicious dish for busy weeknights.
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Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie
Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
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Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & Tomatoes
This is my go-to quick dish. When you add tomatoes, you can also toss in some chopped green peppers (jalapenos, if you like heat) to make it even more colorful. —Mala Udayamurthy, San Jose, California
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Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes aren't just for dinner anymore. Top them with breakfast favorites to power up your morning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Thai Coconut Beef
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Orange Appeal
Oranges add color and great taste to winter meals! This dish looks very bright and appealing served in a glass bowl, and it's a light and easy dessert to finish off a hearty holiday meal. As far as I'm concerned, the citrusy aroma of oranges is a must at Christmas time! —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California
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Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce
We try to eat salmon a lot because it's so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways to make it different and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
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Coconut-Crusted Turkey Strips
My granddaughter shared these baked turkey strips with me. With a plum dipping sauce, they're just the thing for a light supper. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Butternut Coconut Curry
I love my slow cooker because it's so easy to make dinner with one! This flavorful curry was first created for a potluck, and since then the recipe has been requested often.—Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
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Spicy Coconut Shrimp with Quinoa
Help yourself to a plate full—generous servings are still lower in calories and big on protein. If you have company, you can add a salad and call it a day. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
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First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
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Green Curry Salmon with Green Beans
Like a lot of people here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, my boyfriend, Michael, loves to fish. When we have an abundance of fresh salmon on hand, this is one way we cook it. —Amy Paul Maynard, Albany, Oregon
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Star-Spangled Parfaits
The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
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Pineapple Shrimp Stir-Fry
I came up with this recipe for a luau-themed party and served it with sliced papaya, mango and avocado. My family loved it! If you don't care for coconut, sprinkle it with chopped macadamia nuts instead. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Coconut-Lime Chicken Curry Soup
I created this chicken recipe to replicate the flavors of my favorite curry dish—slightly sweet with just the right amount of spicy heat. When served with a garnish of green onions and toasted coconut, the soup makes the perfect cold-weather meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
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Chocolate-Coconut Angel Cupcakes
My guests are never satisfied with just one of these, but that's OK because they are so light. The meringue-like tops make them different, and the chocolate and coconut make them memorable. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
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Thai Red Curry Chicken & Vegetables
The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without heaviness. For the veggies, I like colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
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Slow-Cooked Curry Chicken
Our three children love the spicy flavors found in this Crock-Pot chicken curry. Add more or less curry depending on your taste preferences. —Helen Toulantis, Wantagh, New York
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Frozen Chocolate Monkey Treats
Everyone needs a fun, friendly way for kids to play with food. These rich bites are nutty and yummy. Just coat bananas in chocolate and dip them into peanuts, sprinkles or coconut. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
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Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup
When I'm in need of comfort food, I stir up a velvety batch of this Asian-spiced soup. Then I finish it with a sprinkle of cilantro over the top. —Elizabeth DeHart, West Jordan, Utah
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Coconut Cranberry Cookies
Our fruity, nutty, chewy coconut cranberry cookies are sweet-tart perfection with just six ingredients.
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Thai Curry Soup
Packed with vegetables and protein, this Thai curry soup is an easy, flavorful dish that takes just 30 minutes to prep and cook.
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Pork Roast Cubano
It takes me just minutes to prepare this recipe, and the slow cooker does the rest of the work! It's a one-dish meal that's real comfort food for my family. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Mango & Coconut Chicken Soup
I love preparing dinner in a slow cooker because it's "carefree cooking." This chicken dish uses ingredients that I love, such as coconut milk, edamame and fresh ginger. The Asian-style entree is perfect for a potluck party. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Jasmine Rice with Coconut & Cherries
Our favorite coconut jasmine rice deserves a bit of color and sweetness. We add cherries, peanuts and orange zest. That does the trick. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
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Slow-Cooked Vegetable Curry
I love the fuss-free nature of the slow cooker, but I don't want to sacrifice flavor for convenience. This cozy, spiced-up dish has both. —Susan Smith, Mead, Washington
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Chicken in Coconut Peanut Sauce
My youngest son has been out of the country for several years teaching English. When he returned to the United States, I made this home-cooked meal for him that combined Asian and American cuisine. He loved it! —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
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Coconut Macaroons
These crunchy, golden and chewy coconut macaroons are ideal for their simplicity and texture, and you can have this treat on the table in 30 minutes or less.
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Apple Chicken Curry
When she was in college, my daughter introduced me to curry dishes. Now we love the aroma of apples simmering with chicken, curry and coconut milk. —Dawn Elliott, Greenville, Michigan
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Pecan-Coconut Crusted Tilapia
When I have guests with dietary restrictions, tilapia coated in pecans and coconut makes everyone happy. It's gluten-free and loaded with flavor. —Caitlin Roth, Chicago, Illinois
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Almond-Chai Granola
Whether you snack on it by the handful or eat it with milk or yogurt, you’ll be happy that you found this granola recipe. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan
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Shrimp with Coconut Rice
You may not be able to see the coconut milk, but it’s such a treat in this dish. Add a bit of lime and you’ve got a smart entree that’s company worthy. —Charla Arnold, North Branch, Michigan. Here are a few tips for making coconut rice.
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Peanut Butter Pork Curry
For an anniversary with my boyfriend, I cooked pork Asian style with peanut, coconut and curry flavors. Bonus: The butcher cubed the pork for me to save time. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
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Coconut Cream Cake
This coconut cream cake recipe delivers mouth-watering results. Relatively simple to make (you'll use a cake mix for the cake portion!), this cake may taste decadent but requires just basic cake-making skills.
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Coconut Curry Vegetable Soup
I've been a vegetarian since high school, so modifying recipes to fit my meatless requirements is a challenge I enjoy. This soup tastes rich and creamy and is packed with nutrients! —Carissa Sumner, Washington, DC
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Slow-Cooked Coconut Chicken
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how incredible it makes my home smell. Everyone who comes by asks, "What are you cooking?" And anyone who tastes it goes home with the recipe. —Ann Smart, North Logan, Utah
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