Ghee has become more common to see on grocery store shelves over the past few years, and for good reason. The liquid gold, as I like to call it, is a staple in my pantry and I use it to cook almost anything that hits the pan. Since I love it so much, I’ve rounded up a list of recipes with ghee for you to try. You’ll find traditional Indian dishes, seafood recipes, quick and easy recipes with minimal ingredients, desserts, and even instant pot friendly options.
Scroll to Bottom for the Recipes with Ghee ⬇

What Is Ghee?
Ghee is a staple in Indian cooking, but is used in cuisines all over the world. It is made from butter that has been simmered down to separate the milk solids and the butterfat and remove the water content. The pure butterfat is strained to remove the milk solids. In Indian technique, the milk solids are caramelized before straining to impart a nutty flavor and create a deeper golden color. In French technique, the butterfat is strained right away and is more pale in color.
Ghee is similar to clarified butter. What’s the difference? Ghee is cooked longer, and sometimes at a lower temperature, to remove all the moisture.
Flavor wise, ghee is a bit stronger than regular butter with a nutty, roasted flavor. Texturally, it is not creamy like regular butter. In liquid form at room temperature, it is oily. When it is stored at cooler temperatures, it hardens slightly and is slightly grainy until it is melted again.
Ghee Shelf Life and Storage: Ghee can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature in your pantry, or in your refrigerator. Ghee, once opened, can be properly stored and kept in the pantry for up to three months, and in the refrigerator for up to a year. As always, if you’ve purchased store-bought ghee, it’s best to refer to the expiration date on the package.
How To Use Ghee
Ghee is a versatile product that can be used in place of butter and oil in many recipes. You can swap it out for regular butter, coconut oil, vegetable oil, etc. in baked goods.
Ghee is great for deep-frying, searing, and sautéing because it has a high smoke point, making it less likely to burn or turn carcinogenic. Regular butter has a smoke point of 350 degrees, while ghee has a smoke point of 450.
When you add butter to your sauté pan, if it heats too long or at high temperatures, the butter often burns and leaves that icky brown stuff on your pan (and your food if you’re not careful). With ghee, you can cook for a longer time and at higher temperatures without damaging or burning the oil so you get that rich, buttery flavor, and perfectly golden pan-fried food.
Some people use ghee much the same as regular butter, for everything, but keep in mind that it is stronger in flavor and greasier in nature, so experiment with ghee by starting out with smaller doses to see if you like the flavor for things like spreading on your toast or topping your baked potatoes. Personally, I use ghee most frequently for stir fries, sauteing, frying, and adding to soups, stews, and casseroles. I use it less frequently in baking.
Is Ghee Good For You?
Ghee is made from butter so it’s bad for you right? Well, that’s debatable. Ghee is high in fat. Some of that is healthy fat, but there is a significant amount of saturated fat as well, so use it in moderation. When made properly, ghee is simmered at very low heat. This low heat method allows it to retain more of the vitamins and nutrients that are present. It is rich in Vitamins A and E, as well as antioxidants and Omega-3s, and eating ghee with other fat-soluble nutrients allows your body to better absorb those nutrients.
Ghee has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, and is known to have anti-inflammatory effects both internally and topically. We are not professionals, so always consult your doctor before using alternative treatments, but some studies show that ghee contributes to healthy digestions, reduced obesity, improved memory, better flexibility, and has healing properties that can reduce the effects of skin rashes and burns.
As far as diet and allergies go, ghee is made from cow milk, but the milk solids have been removed. Because of the removal of the casein and lactose, many people with dairy allergies and lactose intolerance have no issue or reaction to ghee.
One popular lifestyle diet, Whole 30, frequently uses ghee in place of butter thanks to the anti-inflammatory nature of the product, and the absence of allergenic ingredients.
Where To Buy Ghee
Ghee is now available in most major grocery stores, international markets, online grocers, and sites like Amazon. Some of our favorites are:
- Trader Joe’s Ghee
- Thrive Market Organic Ghee
- Simple Truth Organic Ghee (Ralph’s)
- Vital Farms Ghee
Recipes With Ghee
Here is a list of recipes using ghee, also known as clarified butter.
Paleo Lemon Butter Chicken
This lemon ghee chicken is paleo and whole 30 friendly, but that's just one of the great things about it. You'll add this to your favorites list and it's versatile enough to serve with rice, pasta, or potatoes.
Texas Chili - Award Winning Chili Recipe
This award-winning chili recipe is one you must try! It makes a LOT, so feel free to cut the recipe in half if you're not feeding a crowd. Ghee is used to sear the beef and vegetables.
Butter Poached Lobster
Lobster tails poached in rich, flavorful ghee is simple and delicious but tastes extravagant.
Melt-in-Mouth Butter Cookies (Egyptian Ghorayebah)
These perfectly sweet bite-sized treats are made with just three ingredients.
Semolina Ghee Balls
Semolina ghee balls are a traditional Indian dessert with ghee-roasted cashews for a rich, nutty flavor.
Ghee Caramelized Banana Oatmeal
Take your breakfast to a new level with caramelized bananas in this quick and delicious oatmeal recipe.
Savory Zucchini Fritters
These savory zucchini fritters are fried in ghee to crispy perfection, made with just eight ingredients, they're perfect as a side, appetizer, or for breakfast.
Brown Butter Ghee Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you love chocolate chip cookies, give these brown butter ghee chocolate chip cookies a try.
Healthy Garlic Scallops Recipe
If you love scallops as much as I do (or even just a little bit), this recipe will make your mouth water. So simple, but so delicious!
Maple Bacon Doughnuts
Maple. Bacon. Donuts. Is there anything else we need to say? You'll just need 5 ingredients to make these delicious, airy, sweet and salty donuts.
Authentic Chicken Curry Recipe Made Easy
You'll love this authentic chicken curry recipe. This version is a thick, flavorful gravy with tender skin-on chicken drumsticks.
Homemade Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a popular traditional Indian dish with tender chicken in a flavorful sauce. Serve it over rice and soak up the extra sauce with naan.
Ghee Rice Recipe
If you haven't tried ghee rice, you should. This South Indian dish is aromatic and tasty. Made with ghee, onions, raisins, cashews, and spices, this rice dish is perfect on its own or as a side and can be made on the stove or in an instant pot.
Mysore pak recipe, Soft Mysore pak
This is a traditional Indian sweet recipe. This version is made with just three ingredients and can be made in just 20 minutes!
Lamb Curry Recipe
This traditional lamb curry recipe with a ghee base is a perfect blend of spices and tender meat. Like other curries, it is best served with rice and naan.
Banana Ghee Pancakes
These pancakes are made with ghee and sweet, ripe bananas are moist with a rich, buttery flavor. Fry them in ghee for a golden, crispy finish and top them with a dollop of ghee.
Turkish Poached Eggs Recipe {Primal, GF)
Poached eggs are one of my favorite things, so eggs poached in ghee? Yes, please. Perfectly spiced butter with a chimichurri style sauce and a yogurt base can be served with bread or hash browns and make the ideal brunch dish.
Herbed Ghee Pasta
If you love buttery pasta, this herbed ghee pasta will be one of your new go-to dishes with a slight kick and from the chili peppers. Perfect served on its own or with chicken or fish and fresh veggies.
Ghee Mashed Potatoes – Instant Pot Recipes
This will be in your regular rotation. Flavorful, buttery mashed potatoes made in minutes with your instant pot. Make a batch to keep on hand for quick meals during the week.
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