When it comes to great cuisine, you can’t look much further than France. French food is well known for its quality and its taste, and part of this might have something to do with their use of clarified butter.
Clarified butter is composed purely of butterfat, which is unlike other forms of butter which is commonly made up of milk fat, water and milk solids.
As a result of its unique composition, it is ideal for cooking with a higher smoke point and resistance to burning.
However, clarified butter is not a simple thing to purchase in your local grocery store, so if you’re hoping to use it at home, you’re best off buying a clarified butter substitute – but what are the best clarified butter substitutes?
Luckily, we’ve got the answers for you. We’ve compiled this helpful list which shows you the very best substitutes for this beautiful butter product.
Ready to find out more? Then read on for much more information!
What Is Clarified Butter?
So, it’s best that we start off by clarifying what clarified butter is (pun intended!). It’s a type of butter that has been heated and then strained to remove all of the milk solids.
This process is what allows the butter to have a higher smoke point.
This is one of the reasons that it makes for an ideal butter product in cooking, but it’s not the only reason.
Another is the fact that it has a more unique and intense flavor than other butters and this is a perfect choice to use for sauces and dressings.
Now, while making clarified butter might sound a little complex, it’s actually much more simple than you might think. All you need to remember is:
The butter is melted originally over a low heat
Milk solids are allowed to rise so you can skim them away
Pure butter is poured into a separate container (keeping impurities in the first)
Once you’ve done this, you’ve got yourself an amazing and unique cooking product, ready for some of your most favorite creations!
The Best Substitutes For Clarified Butter
So, without any further delays – let’s dive into the best substitutes for clarified butter. We hope you enjoy all of these choices.
1. Ghee
Ghee is a traditionally Indian version of clarified butter which is used a lot in Asian cuisine, and has in fact been used for decades. It’s incredibly similar to the French version of clarified butter, right from the way it is made.
Ghee is made by simmering butter until the water evaporates and the milk solids separate. As a result of this process, ghee can remain useful (store shelf life) for much longer than usual butter.
Not only this, but by removing the milk solids, the product is much easier to digest – which is important in Indian cuisine.
Originally, ghee was made from cow’s milk – but nowadays, locals and guests alike can make it from goat’s milk and even buffalo milk.
Bizarrely, it doesn’t matter where the milk comes from because the taste is absolutely glorious.
2. DIY Clarified Butter
Of course, one option you may go for is to make your own clarified butter. It’s really not too difficult to do as long as you have time and a bit of patience.
You will need to source yourself some unsalted butter – about a pound should do.
Slice the butter into small cubes and then put them into a saucepan, using a burner on a low heat. Slowly melt the butter and occasionally stir it. Foam will begin to arise from the surface when the butter melts.
Get rid of the foam by using a wooden spoon – but be careful not to touch the butter underneath.
Keep heating the butter until it turns golden and clear. Once it has been cooked, pour the butter into a jar or other container.
If needed, strain out any milk solids that remain in the bottom of the pan. You can then store your clarified butter in the refrigerator for around six months!
3. Olive Oil
Let’s face it – everybody knows that olive oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils you can use when it comes to your homemade cuisine, partly because olive oil is packed full of healthy monounsaturated fats – which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
But it’s not just these reasons why olive oil is so great in cooking, but it can actually be a great alternative to clarified butter, and one of the reasons for this is because olive oil does not lose any of its flavor during the cooking process.
While clarified butter is still highly flavorful, a small amount of its flavor is certainly lost when the milk fats are removed.
Of course, one of the biggest advantages of olive oil as a substitute is the fact that it can be found in a whole host of grocery stores and other places – so you’ll easily be able to find it!
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last decade or so. Not just for cooking, but for beauty and bathroom products too.
This is partly due to its aroma, which adds a bit of tropical feelings to your skin, but also because of its health benefits.
However, when it comes to cooking,coconut oil has a distinct, welcoming smell but it also has a beautiful taste to it. While the flavors might be different to that of clarified butter, as a substitute it definitely holds up.
Let’s not forget too that coconut oil has been known to improve your body and mind’s energy levels and overall increase your brain functionality!
5. Canola Oil
Canola oil is an extract of vegetable oil from canola plant seeds. It is one of the healthiest types of oil to use in cooking, and once again – this is an oil that has several other uses, especially in bathroom products and skin care products.
While canola oil is one of the healthiest choices to make when substituting clarified butter, the taste is not for everyone. As a result, you may need to add some salt and other seasoning to the oil when you’re cooking.
6. Low-Fat Butter
Low-fat butter or even margarine is a choice that people will likely overlook when they want something to substitute clarified butter for – but you’d be surprised at some of the options out there which have an incredible taste with little calories and no fat.
Of course, one of the major downsides of low-fat butter is the fact that it still includes dairy and lactose sugars. So for those of you who are lactose intolerant, this isn’t the right choice. However, for others – this could be ideal.
Not only do some of these butter choices taste fantastic, but they can be cooked to your specifications, as long as you are careful not to burn it.
You may wish to keep stirring the butter and take it on and off the heat frequently.
Final Thoughts
Clarified butter is one of the best choices to make when it comes to cooking, but it’s not easy to find in stores – so if you’re looking for an ideal substitute, hopefully our list has given you a great idea or two. Good luck with your dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are your most asked questions – we hope to answer them fully.
Is Clarified Butter Good For You?
It’s not necessarily good for you, but it is certainly healthier than regular butter. Not only this, but it has been known to be much better on the digestive system due to its lack of milk solids and lactose sugars.
Is Clarified Butter Easy To Make?
While the process may sound complex, it really isn’t. As with many other things in the kitchen, the more you try the process, the easier it will be in the long run. You simply need to follow a couple of steps and you’ll be good to go.
Can I Buy Clarified Butter In Stores?
You can likely find clarified butter online, but it is difficult to find it in most grocery stores. You could get lucky in specialty stores though or in French restaurants.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
