Ghee vs. Butter: How are They Different and Which is Healthier?
Article at a Glance
- Ghee has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic therapies and Indian cooking.
- Ghee and butter are both made from cow’s milk.
- Ghee is highly clairified butter with a nutty, earthy flavor.
- Both butter and ghee contain butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid that has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and promote gut health.
- Ghee may be easier to digest than butter for those with sensitivities to milk sugars and/or proteins.
- Ghee has a higher smoke point than butter.
- You can make ghee at home from unsalted butter.
Contents
How are ghee and butter the same?
Ghee and butter are both made from cow’s milk. In fact, butter is a precursor to ghee, so it’s no wonder the two get so easily confused. Because they come from the same source, their nutritional profiles don’t vary wildly. They’re both composed of mostly fat, lending to their smooth and creamy textures.How are ghee and butter different?
While they share similarities, ghee and butter are not one and the same. Rather, ghee is a type of butter — specifically, it is highly clarified butter. It goes through a process to remove some of the milk solids and water. This process makes for a shelf stable product that doesn’t require refrigeration. It also gives ghee a higher smoke point than regular butter and adds a nutty, enhanced flavor that you won’t find in regular butter. If you’re concerned about cooking in easily damaged fats, ghee is a better choice than butter. Butter has a smoke point of 350°F (177°C), but ghee can take heat of up to 485°F (252°C) without burning. The higher smoke point and lower protein count means ghee won’t damage when you cook with it like butter will. As such, it’s a healthier option for the sauté pan.Ghee vs. butter fat content
| Ghee | Butter |
| 3g saturated fat in one tbsp. | 2.5g saturated fat in one tbsp. |
| 0 g carbs | 0 g carbs |
| Fat 5 g | Fat 4.1 g |
| Higher smoke point | Lower smoke point |
How is ghee made?
Ghee starts with unsalted butter. When the butter is heated, the fat naturally separates, leaving behind a liquid with the signature bright gold color of ghee. The golden liquid is then drained, separating out the milk solids, which are then discarded. What’s left is the liquid gold we know as ghee.What does ghee taste like?
Ghee tastes like butter’s older, more sophisticated brother. The clarification process adds a nutty, earthy flavor that really shines in both cooking and baking. It adds an intensity to the flavor reminiscent of a good, hearty olive oil. Because of this pungent flavor, a little ghee goes a long way.Which is healthier: butter or ghee?
Since “healthier” is not exactly a technical term, let’s instead break down the composition of these two versions of butter. Both butter and ghee are mostly fat with minimal protein or carbohydrates. Because ghee is a concentrated form of butter, it has slightly more fat than butter, including the healthy unsaturated fats. These fats contain butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid that has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and promote gut health by directly influencing the gastrointestinal flora. While further studies are needed, it has shown promise for improving IBS and other GI disorders 1.Ghee is better for lactose intolerance
The winning argument for using butter over ghee comes for those that are sensitive to milk’s sugars and proteins. Many people have a sensitivity to lactose (a milk sugar) and casein (a milk protein). The process of making butter already limits most of the lactose and casein in butter, and only a small amount can be found in regular butter. The clarification process to make ghee further reduces this number to zero, making it an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitivities.How do I swap ghee for butter in cooking and baking?
This part is easy. The ghee to butter swap is one to one. So if a recipe calls for 1/4 cup of butter, you can substitute that butter with ghee. Note that ghee does have a slightly nutty taste and will alter the taste of the end result. But most people don’t notice a big difference. Ghee’s smoke point is notably higher than that of butter. The smoke point of a fat refers to the temperature at which it — yep you guessed it — starts to smoke. This high smoke point makes it ideal for cooking at very high temperatures.How to make ghee
Yes, that’s right! You too can make ghee at home. First, simmer chopped up unsalted butter over medium-low in a heavy bottomed pot. Once melted, increase the heat to medium. This heat increase will add to the nutty flavor and also encourage separation. If you have a thermometer, stick it in the butter to make sure you don’t exceed butter’s smoke point of 350°F. Let the butter roll through the foaming and bubbling process. After a few minutes, you’ll notice that the butter is beginning to separate. The milk proteins will rise to the top. As it separates, skim it from the top and discard. Here is where you need your patience. It takes time for all the butter to separate. As you remove the solids from the top, you’ll notice the butter becoming more and more clear with a golden hue. Once you’ve gotten as much of the surface skimmed as possible, you can pour it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids. Now you’ve got ghee that is stable at room temperature for about a month.
