How to make virgin coconut oil at home and how to use your homemade coconut oil. From hair & beauty to household uses, to food & baking. The choices are practically endless!
Did you know that it’s possible to make homemade coconut oil? Not only that, but you can make coconut oil in a variety of ways. From regular coconut oil to virgin coconut oil, using a heated method or cold-processed.
I know, instantly, some people are wondering why bother? Honestly, I just really love to know exactly what I can make at home. Also, learning how easy it is to make some fo my kitchen staples. Plus, I like knowing that I can be 100% responsible for what goes into the items I consume. No unnecessary chemicals, additives, preservatives etc.
This is especially true for coconut oil as some commercial ones are bleached and ‘refined’ using methods I’d prefer to avoid.
The difference between coconut oil and virgin coconut oil:
Now, I’m not exactly an expert in the field of ‘virgin’ vs ‘refined’ vs etc. products. So, if you know more than me, please share your knowledge in the comments. That way I can update the post and share the wisdom.
I actually have two homemade coconut oil recipes to share on my blog post. Initially, I thought this recipe was regular coconut oil, whereas the cold-processed version I will be uploading shortly is ‘virgin coconut oil’. However, I’ve since found out that although ‘virgin’ usually means without heat, that is not the case when it comes to coconut oil ( as far as I can tell anyway).
In fact, the difference between what is and isn’t considered ‘virgin’ coconut oil comes down to what is used to extract the oil. As both the recipes I will be sharing use coconut milk to extract the oil, this is considered virgin coconut oil, even though a low heat is used.
How to use virgin coconut oil:
I could write another entire blog post dedicated to the many ways that people use coconut oil. For hair and beauty to home use, health use, food uses etc.
In terms of hair and beauty uses, coconut oil is a wonder ingredient. From face masks, moisturiser, toothpaste, oil pulling, body scrubs, to grow eyelashes, to reduce scarring, help heal bites & scratches, soaps, lotions, deodorant, eye cream, shampoo bars, hair care, For nail cuticles, bath salts, to remove make-up, anti-ageing uses, for scalp health and psoriasis… the list goes on and on.
Not to mention that, due to its high smoke point, it’s perfect for cooking as it won’t release harmful free-radicals as easily as many other oils. As well as being great for baking, salad dressings or even to add to a cup of tea daily. In fact, I’ve read that those having thyroid issues a tsp per day can improve thyroid health.
There are even some people swearing by coconut oil to help soothe sore throats and fighting colds & the flu.
Honestly, this is just the tip of the iceberg!
How to make Virgin Coconut Oil:
The process to make homemade coconut oil is ridiculously simple. It takes quite a long time to extract the oil, however, the majority of the process is fairly hands-off. Meaning it’s super simple.
The basics of the process is to make homemade coconut milk, then heat this over low heat to extract the oil! ( Remember. I’ll be writing a cold-process version to make Virgin Coconut oil soon!)
In this recipe, I’ll be showing you how to make virgin coconut oil from scratch.
Beginning with your whole coconuts, you’re going to want to crack them open. You can then save the coconut water within to drink or use within smoothies.
The next step is to extract the coconut meat from the shell. To make this super easy-peasy, simply place the coconuts in the oven for 10 minutes at 170 degrees Celcius. You can then use a coconut tool to easily remove the meat. However, feel free to simply use a knife if that’s all that you have to hand.
The next step is to make coconut milk. To do this, you need to blend the coconut meat and filtered water in a high-speed blender for between 1-2 minutes. Although there will still be lots of coconut pulp, you’ll find there is also a lot of coconut milk now too.
To separate the mixture, simply use a nut milk bag and allow the homemade coconut milk to gather in a large bowl. The remaining coconut pulp can then be dried out and used within all sorts of baked recipes.
This is then the mixture that is going to be used to create your homemade coconut oil. By pouring this milk into a large, heavy-based pan and heating on low, consistent temperatures, you will begin to see coconut oil forming on the top of the mix.
The key to making the perfect homemade coconut oil is the low, consistent temperatures. If you try to use higher temperatures, to cut down the time it takes to make this oil then you run the risk of ruining the oil. Unfortunately, high temperatures can ( and will) change the composition and properties of the coconut oil. So don’t be tempted to up the heat tooooo much!
The low-temperature heating process can easily take between 1-2 hours, if not more. So just be patient! ( All good things come to those who wait, after all!)
While heating, the water will evaporate from the coconut milk mixture. The coconut will begin to get crumbly in texture and solidify. This is when you’ll begin to notice the oil separating from the solids.
Once the mixture has completely separated into the solids and the oil, simply gather all the solids and discard them if they are too ‘burnt’. Alternatively, these can be snacked on, used over deeserts etc.
You then pour the remaining oil through a strainer, into an airtight container, making sure to press down on the solids to release as much oil as possible. This can then be kept in the fridge.
Remember: Coconut oil will go solid when kept in the fridge. However, it remains fairly soft and will melt again at warm temperatures.
I think it’s also worth noting that this oil can be gathered at an earlier point in the recipe too ( photograph below) . Whereas I have allowed the coconut solids to brown, thus colouring the oil and yielding an oil that is more-often used within hair & beauty applications ( although it is still edible. It will just have a stronger flavour, which I happen to like!). I have also learnt that if you turn off the flame just before the solids begin to brown and leave the oil to still be gently heated for a further 10 minutes or so, then you will have a ‘water-like’ clear oil that is more neutral taste-wise.
This homemade coconut oil can then easily be kept in the fridge for between 8-10 months!
You can then use the coconut oil for all your hair & beauty needs. You can also use it for frying and roasting veggies. It would also work within my tart recipes e.g. this Two-layer Vegan Strawberry Tart or my Vegan Earl Grey Blueberry Tart.
This post contains affiliate links which means, at no additional cost to yourself, I may earn a commission- to help purchase ingredients for my next recipe- if you purchase an item having clicked a link to a product, from this page.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments. Also, feel free to tag me in your creations @AlphaFoodie.
The DIY Homemade Coconut Oil Recipe:
Coconut Oil DIY
Ingredients
- 5 mature coconuts
- 7 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Beginning with your whole coconuts, you're going to want to crack them open with a small hammer.*
- The next step is to extract the coconut meat from the shell. To make this super easy-peasy, simply place the coconuts in the oven for 10 minutes at 170 degrees Celcius. You can then use a coconut tool to easily remove the meat. However, feel free to simply use a knife/ any sharp tool, if that's all that you have to hand.
- The next step is to make coconut milk. To do this, you need to blend the coconut meat and filtered water in a high-speed blender for between 1-2 minutes. Although there will still be lots of coconut pulp, you'll find there is also a lot of coconut milk now too.
- To separate the mixture, simply use a nut milk bag and allow the homemade coconut milk to gather in a large bowl. The remaining coconut pulp can then be dried out and used within all sorts of baked recipes.
- Pour this coconut milk into a heavy-based pan and heat it on a low, consistent heat.** .
- While heating, the water will evaporate from the coconut milk mixture. The coconut will begin to get crumbly in texture and solidify. This is when you'll begin to notice the oil separating from the solids. This process can easily take between 1-2 hours, if not more. So just be patient! (All good things come to those who wait, after all!)
- Once the mixture has completely separated into the solids and the oil, simply gather all the solids and discard them. Then pour the remaining oil through a strainer, into an airtight container, making sure to press down on the solids to release as much oil as possible. This can then be kept in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- * You can then save the coconut water within to drink or use at a later point within smoothies, to make a coconut-almond blend nut milk etc.
- ** If you try to use higher temperatures, to cut down the time it takes to make this oil then you run the risk of ruining the oil. Unfortunately, high temperatures can (and will) change the composition and properties of the coconut oil. So don't be tempted to up the heat tooooo much!
- Remember: Coconut oil will go solid when kept in the fridge. However, it remains fairly soft and will melt again at warm temperatures.
- I think it's also worth noting that this oil can be gathered at an earlier point in the recipe too. Whereas I have allowed the coconut solids to brown, thus colouring the oil and yielding an oil that is more-often used within hair & beauty applications (although it is still edible. It will just have a stronger flavour, which I happen to like!). I have also learnt that if you turn off the flame just before the solids begin to brown and leave the oil to still be gently heated for a further 10 minutes or so, then you will have a 'water-like' clear oil that is more neutral taste-wise.
Pin this Virgin Coconut Oil DIY for later!
Hello Samira,
Please when is the Cold Pressed method of coconut oil extraction coming out?
Great article btw.
Hello,
Thank you!
The method for cold-pressed coconut oil is already here on the blog. Here is the direct link: https://www.alphafoodie.com/diy-extra-virgin-coconut-oil-cold-pressed-coconut-oil/
Thanks a lot. How many cups of Water will I use for 2no. of coconut
Hi Tina,
For 2 coconuts you can use just 2.5-3 cups of water.
This is a great article, thank you!
You’re very welcome Fred, glad you liked the article!
Loved this! I live in Barbados with coconuts everywhere in my back yard. Def. going to do this today. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Susan. I hope you gave this recipe a try.
Thanks for the recipe, you explained elaborately. I just have an issue with preservation…can I just store the oil in a container without keeping it in the refrigerator?
Hi Izzy,
Yes, you can store it in a cupboard or pantry.
Yes. That’s what I do. It stays for months.
Please after blending the coconut do I add water? Or its before blending. And please how many cups of water?
Hi Gloria,
You can blend the coconut meat first, then add the water (7 cups) and blend again. All the details are on the recipe card, here on the post, with an option to save and print if wanted for easy access.
What if I bought 10 coconut….how many cups of water will I use
Hello. For 10 coconuts, you’d need 14 cups of filtered water. I hope this helps.
I made butter it was amazing .
Thank you so much for your comment, Aasia.
How long does it last?
This coconut oil can then easily be kept in the fridge for between 8-10 months!
thank you for the recipe.i thought it was difficult but the way u explained it seems to be easy.i will surely try it.
Thank you so much for your comment, Shakila. I hope you give the recipe a try 🙂
Thanks,
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly
great post on our website. Keep up the good writing.
thank you so much Sallie :).
Very good oil, tasty and very good smell, and very healthy.
Thank you for your comment, Yuswe. Glad you tried and liked the coconut oil 🙂
Hi beautiful. I like your blog. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi Vanessa, Thank you so much, glad you liked the recipe. The extra version coconut oil is going to be published this week 🙂
Wonderful
thanks so much, so kind of you 🙂
Nice..
I haven’t done it but I hope it works
Thanks
Thank you Ese, it’s really easy to follow, I hope you like it, the extra virgin coconut oil is coming soon!
Once you have the coconut cream in the pan do you have to keep stiring while it’s boiling continuously. Or leave it to boil itself ???
Hi Aarti,
You can just stir it occasionally but it can boil on itself.
Thanks so much I enjoyed your recipe God bless you
Thank you for your comment. Glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
Hi!
This looks great! If I do not put the oil in the fridge would it stay a liquid or still solidify? Looking to find a way to keep the oil a liquid.
Hi!
Coconut oil solidifies at around 78ºF/25ºC so even at room temperature it is possible it would be rather soft to solid, but not liquid. If you need to liquify it, you can put the jar in a bowl with warm water or keep it near a warm air source. I hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing! Gonna try it. You are wonderful.
Thank you, Bilqees. I hope you like the recipe 🙂
Wow this is Amazing!!!
Thank you so much :).
Yeah.
Nice idea
Thank you so much. I hope you gave this recipe a try 🙂
This is great and easy to understand.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your comment. So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Great.
The process is sequential and simply logical.
You are highly appreciated for sharing this knowledge.
Best Regards.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for your feedback. Glad you are trying the recipes. Best wishes 🙂
I’ve just prepared coconut oil following your recipe. Can’t wait to use it tonight. I hope I’ll have a good experience of using this 100% natural oil
Thanks for trying the recipe, Arzoo. Hope you like it 🙂
Wow thank you so much. I love your recipe. You were so down to earth.
Thanks, Chizy! You’re so kind :). I’m glad you liked the recipe 🙂
How much oil from 5 coconuts?
5 coconuts yielded for me about 1 cup of oil. I hope this helps.
Thanks so much I enjoyed your recipe God bless you
You’re very welcome, so glad to hear :).
Can I add fragrance to my coconut oil?? Thanks for the recipe
If you want to use the coconut oil for cosmetic purposes, you could add fragrance to it. Just make sure the fragrance is safe to use on your skin.
I hope this helps 🙂
Hello,
I understand too that cold press is also, another method to get Virgin oil.
The method sounds good, however what is the quantity of oil from the amount of coconut used. Great job
Hi Kingsley,
I used 5 coconuts and that made about 1 cup of coconut oil. I hope this helps. 🙂
wow…nice write up…thanks
You’re very welcome Idris.
The step by step procedures are amazing, am trying mine today so I just want to know if I should stir the coconut milk when am heating it or I should just allow it to boil slowly in low heat without stirring?
Hi Jessica,
You could stir it from time to time but that is not necessary. It is fine to let it boil down slowly on low heat – as time passes, the water will evaporate from the coconut milk mixture. The coconut will begin to get crumbly in texture and solidify. This is when you’ll begin to notice the oil separating from the solids. This process can easily take between 1-2 hours, if not more. I hope this helps.
Hey. Can we store it outside at room temperature. If yes then what will the shelf life be?
Hi Veerti,
Yes, you can store the coconut oil at room temperature in an air-tight container for a few months (6-8 months).
I can’t wait to use your method of extracting coconut oil.
Glad to hear!Good luck 🙂 I have a method for EXTRA virgin coconut oil coming to the blog very soon too 🙂
Do I have to cover the pot when heating the coconut milk
Hi Khansaa.
No need to cover the pot while heating the coconut milk.
Your recipes are so good, I tried making the coconut oil it came out fine. Thank you for your recipe.
Thank you so much, so glad you like them :).