Ghee is a wonderful ingredient that is used in lots of different recipes to create beautiful rich, nutty flavors. It is very popular in Indian cuisine, but its popularity in the West continues to grow and grow.
Ghee is often considered to be a healthy fat and this is one of the reasons why it’s so popular to cook with. But when you can’t get hold of any and you need to use some for a specific dish, finding a suitable substitute can be a bit of a challenge.
If you are making a recipe that calls for Ghee but you are unable to get any, then you have come to the right place! We have put together a list of 6 amazing substitutes for Ghee that you should definitely consider using! Read on to find out more about them!
What Is Ghee?
Ghee is a kind of clarified butter that is most commonly found in Indian cuisine. It is known for its rich, nutty flavor and it can really enhance any dish it is added to.
Unlike regular butter, Ghee is actually made by simmering butter until the water evaporates, which makes it a lot healthier than butter that is made using milk fat and water.
Because it is a bit more healthy, lots of people prefer to use it in place of regular butter, but some people do find Ghee a bit too rich as well.
Ghee is also rich in nutrients and minerals, which is another reason why it is so popular to use.
6 Amazing Substitutes For Ghee
Finding the best substitutes for Ghee can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you don’t know where to start your search. We have put together a list of 6 amazing substitutes for Ghee that will work perfectly for you, so if you don’t have any Ghee on hand, you can easily use one of these options instead!
1. Avocado Oil
Our first substitute comes in the form of avocado oil. Avocados are an extremely popular fruit that can be used in a variety of different ways, but avocado oil is one of the lesser-known ways that deserves a lot more attention.
Avocado oil has a similar smoke point to ghee, which makes it a perfect substitute, especially if you are cooking something that needs high heat.
One thing to keep in mind when using avocado oil is that it doesn’t really have a flavor, so if you are making a recipe where the flavor of ghee is important, you may want to try a different substitute instead!
2. Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is a kind of vegetable oil that has been extracted from soybeans. You will find soybean oil in many different foods all over the world and it is a very common ingredient found in processed foods.
If you are using soybean oil in the place of ghee, it works especially well in salads and it is great for frying and baking too. Bear in mind, however, that soybean oil is quite high in saturated fats and it can raise cholesterol levels in some cases. Soybean oil isn’t the most healthy substitute for ghee out there, but it’s great if you can’t find anything else to use.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many uses, and being an amazing substitute for ghee is one of them! It is rich in antioxidants and has lots of anti-inflammatory properties that make it a wonderful ingredient that has lots of health benefits.
It makes for a wonderful substitute for ghee, but it is important to keep in mind that it has quite a distinct flavor, which is quite a bit different from ghee.
It’s perfect for dishes where the flavor doesn’t matter so much, but if you are using it in a dish where the flavor of ghee is important, you might want to consider using one of the other alternatives on this list.
Other health benefits of coconut oil include being beneficial to fighting off infections and strengthing the immune system, as well as being really effective in treating colds and flu.
Even if you are not using it as a substitute for ghee, coconut oil is a fantastic ingredient to keep in your kitchen.
4. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is one of the most common oils you will find in any kitchen. It is used in many different dishes and recipes and works well as a substitute for many different ingredients.
Vegetable oil has a higher smoke point than ghee and it also doesn’t solidify at room temperature like ghee does, so you may want to keep this in mind when you are using it as a substitute.
It is also lower in saturated fats than ghee is, and in most cases, it’s actually a healthier option than ghee.
That being said, ghee contains butyrate which is a type of fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties and vegetable oil does not, so even though it is technically a healthier option, there are some cases in which ghee is better.
Vegetable oil is incredibly common and easy to get a hold of. You will find it in most grocery stores and it’s a great alternative when you need something quick and easy.
5. Butter
Regular butter may not be the most healthy alternative, but it is incredibly convenient and the closest thing in texture to ghee on this list. Butter actually has a lower smoke point than ghee, so this is important to keep in mind when you are using it as a substitute.
Butter is also full of lactose, whereas ghee is not, so if you are making a dish for someone who is lactose intolerant, this is not a good substitute to use.
It really depends on what sort of dish you are making and who you are making it for if you decide to use butter instead of ghee.
6. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is one of the best substitutes you can use for ghee. Like vegetable oil, it is incredibly easy to get hold of and you can easily find it in any grocery store.
It is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, in a similar way to ghee, which is another reason why it’s such a good substitute.
Sunflower oil also has a high smoke point, so it’s perfect to use if you are making a dish that needs to be fried. It also has a very neutral flavor, so if you aren’t a fan of the taste of ghee, this is a great alternative to use.
It’s quite a healthy substitute as well, making it perfect if you are watching your diet or trying to only consume healthier things.
Conclusion
So there you have it! 6 amazing substitutes for ghee that you can use today! Each of these substitutes is quite easy to get hold of and in most cases, you will probably have them in your kitchen already.
Next time you make a recipe that calls for ghee and you don’t have any, try some of these substitutes out in its place. You won’t be disappointed, and in some cases, you may even prefer the substitute over the real thing!
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.
