Ghee (Indian Clarified Butter)
Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 28 Jan 2026
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This homemade ghee is a versatile vegetarian staple that brings a deep, nutty aroma to your kitchen. By slowly simmering unsalted butter to remove the water and milk solids, you are left with a pure, golden fat that boasts a much higher smoke point than standard butter. It is an essential component for authentic Indian curries, though its rich flavour also makes it an excellent choice for roasting vegetables or searing steaks.
Crafting your own clarified butter is surprisingly simple and far more cost-effective than buying jars from the shop. Because the milk solids are toasted and filtered out, ghee stays fresh for much longer and is often better tolerated by those with minor dairy sensitivities. Store your finished batch in a cool, dark cupboard or the fridge to keep this golden liquid ready for your next culinary creation.
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Ingredients for Ghee (Indian Clarified Butter)
1 stick (110g ) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
How to make Ghee (Indian Clarified Butter)
Back to contentsLine a sieve with 3 layers of cheesecloth and set over a jar.
Bring butter to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Once foam completely covers butter, reduce heat to very low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a thin crust begins to form on surface and milky white solids fall to bottom of pan, about 8 minutes. Continue to cook butter, watching closely and stirring occasionally to prevent burning, until milk solids on bottom of pan are light brown and liquid is golden, translucent, and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and strain through cheesecloth-lined sieve into jar.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
28 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
UK recipe editors
Peer reviewed by
UK recipe editors

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