You don’t have to keep a coconut whole just to save it for later! In fact, prepping the meat in different ways actually gives you a lot more flexibility for long-term storage. Here’s the lowdown on how to keep your coconut fresh and tasty.
Storing a Whole Coconut
If you can, try to keep the coconut unopened. When left in its shell, a coconut can easily last up to a year—as long as you keep it in a cool, dry spot. A pantry is perfect, but avoid the basement, as it’s usually a bit too damp. Just keep in mind that even in the shell, it won’t stay fresh forever. The shell isn’t 100% airtight, so over time, the moisture inside evaporates and the meat eventually dries out.
Methods for storing coconut meat:
- In water in the fridge
- In the freezer
- Dried/Dehydrated
Storing in the Refrigerator
The fridge is your best bet if you’re planning to use the meat within a few days. This is a great option if you’re snacking on it slowly or if you like to feed coconut to your dog (it’s actually a healthy little treat for pups in small amounts!). In these cases, there’s no need to go through the trouble of freezing it.
To keep the meat fresh for a few days, place the pieces in a container and cover them completely with water. Put a lid on it and pop it in the fridge. Bonus tip: the water will soak up some of that delicious coconut flavor, so don’t toss it! You can drink it or use it for cooking.
Freezing
If you want your coconut to last up to nine months, the freezer is the way to go. You can freeze the meat in large chunks quite easily. Pro tip: let the pieces air-dry for a few hours before putting them into a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together in one big frozen clump.
When you’re ready to use it, make sure to catch any liquid that releases during thawing—just like the fridge method, that liquid is great for cooking!
Drying
Another great way to preserve coconut is to turn it into shredded coconut or flakes. Once shredded, you can store them in airtight containers. Just let the shreds air-dry naturally; try to avoid using high heat during the drying process so you don’t lose those healthy oils and flavor.
