When (And Why) You Should Be Using Ghee Instead Of Butter
Looking to expand your butter horizons? Super versatile and uniquely flavored ghee is a great place to start. In many dishes, it can be used in place of butter or oil. Learn more about this cooking tool and how you can incorporate it into your meals.
Jump to:
What Is Ghee?
Where Does Ghee Come From?
How To Use Ghee
How To Store Ghee
How To Make Ghee
Ghee Recipes
What Is Ghee?
Ghee is a clarified butter that has been simmered and strained to remove all water and milk solids. Thanks to the low and slow cooking process, the milk solids have a chance to brown, imparting a nutty, slightly caramelized flavor to the ghee. Once the milk solids are strained, the ghee is shelf stable and has a much higher smoke point than typical butter.
Where Does Ghee Come From?
Ghee originated in India. It's most commonly used in dishes from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, and has been utilized in Ayurvedic practices for thousands of years. Thanks to the clarification process, it's virtually lactose- and casein-free, making it a popular choice in recent years among those following the paleo diet.
How To Use Ghee
Thanks to its high smoke point, ghee is incredibly versatile. (Think vegetable oil, but with way better flavor.) You can use it to sauté, roast, and even fry. Try swapping it in for olive oil while roasting vegetables, or use it to cook an omelet. Bloom your spices in it. And if you don't feel like improvising, try it in this aromatic Curry Rice.
How To Store Ghee
Keep ghee sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dark part of your pantry. Once opened, it will keep at least three months, and even longer if it's in a particularly cool spot. You can also store your ghee in the fridge to maintain freshness. Always use a clean utensil when scooping ghee from your container to avoid contamination. To store ghee for long periods of time, throw it in the freezer! It'll keep more than a year there—just make sure to thaw it completely before using.
How To Make Ghee
Yes, you can make it yourself. Making ghee at home is a fairly simple process: melt butter, skim the milk solids that float to the top, and continue to simmer until any remaining milk solids on the bottom of the pan darken and begin to smell nutty. After one more strain, you've got ghee!
Ghee Recipes
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