Ghee (clarified butter)

घी / ghī · ghee

Flavor and role

Pure butterfat made by simmering butter until the water and milk solids are removed, with a nutty aroma. Its high smoke point means it does not burn even over high heat.

Smoke point

250℃

Typical dishes and uses

Chicken biryani, dal tempering (tadka), misir wot (in place of niter kibbeh), Indian desserts

Substitutes

1 tbsp ghee = 1 tbsp half butter, half vegetable oil. You can make it yourself by simmering butter on low heat for 15-20 minutes and straining off the brown solids.

Storage

With no water, it keeps 3 months sealed at room temperature and 6 months or more refrigerated. Never put a wet spoon in it.

Main countries

India · Pakistan · Ethiopia

Used in this book

Chicken BiryaniDal Tadka (Tempered Yellow Lentils)Doro WatGarlic NaanPalak Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese)Aloo SamosaDurban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaChicken Tikka Burrito with Mint RaitaTandoor-Style Murgh MakhaniPindi CholeHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlDesi Ghee Chicken Karahi with Charcoal SmokeRoyal Chicken Machboos with Saffron Rice, Daqoos and Crispy OnionsCharcoal-Skewered Chicken Tikka MasalaMasala Cornbread with Green Chilli, Cumin and Coriander (American x Punjabi)Dhaba-Style Double Tadka Dal with Coal SmokeSizzling Tadka Lentil HummusDoro Wat Ramen with Berbere Chicken and AjitamaEgusi Chicken Korma (Nigerian x North Indian)Cold-Fermented Roasted Garlic NaanOven-Braised Lamb Shank Ghormeh SabziSaffron Lamb Harira with Egg RibbonsIndian Tadka Hummus with Curry-Leaf GheeTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarPodi Idli Fries with Coconut Yogurt DipLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusClarified-Butter Kartoffelpuffer with Smoked Salmon and Horseradish CreamKhichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaMysore Masala DosaJuicy Pork Jhol MomoLamb Seven-Vegetable Couscous with TfayaSeared Paneer Palak with Garlic TadkaBrown-Butter Buttermilk Pancakes with Whipped Whites and Maple ButterKeema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Keema Pastitsio with Garam Masala BéchamelOvernight Buckwheat Poffertjes with Brown Butter and Flaky SaltSlow-Braised Lamb Shank Rogan JoshRogan Josh Keema Loaded FriesCrisp Raw-Grated Rösti with Bacon, Shallot and GruyèreMasala Rösti with Mint-Yoghurt ChutneyHalwai-Style Punjabi Samosas with Two ChutneysKeema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashSaag Feta Phyllo SamosasSaag Aloo Stamppot with Tadka and PaneerGhee-Seared Syrniki with Warm Berry Compote

Updated 2026-10-10