Ghee is a type of clarified butter. Originated in India, it is a popular ingredient in cooking that adds layers of flavors to a recipe.
Ghee is made through simmering into a concentrate and removing the residue. The remaining is a pure combination of fats, without any milk residue.
Ghee is quite healthy and can last for months, even years without refrigeration. It’s an ideal choice to deep fry, sauté, and roasting without burning.
However, if you run out this nutty, aromatic type of butter in the middle of cooking, you can use some ghee substitutes to complete your dish.
This article looks into some ghee substitutes that you may use for deep frying, roasting, and other recipes.
8 Ghee Substitutes That You May Try
1. Olive Oil
While looking for a good alternative to ghee, extra virgin olive oil can be the healthiest option.
Olive oil is a good source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and monounsaturated fats.
A study was published in the Endocrine, Metabolic, & Immune Disorders Drug Targets. It shows the therapeutic properties found in extra virgin olive oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
You can use olive oil instead of ghee for sautéing and roasting.
READ ALSO: Olive Oil vs Coconut Oil – Which is Better for Your Hair?
2. Butter
Butter is salty in taste and can convert any bland meals into a delicious one.
It is rich in fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, E, and K2, and a good amount of healthy saturated fats.
According to reseach published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, high-fat dairy consumption could reduce heart disease by 69%.
The study also shows that icreased vitamin K2 intake was associated with the results.
Butter can be used inmost dishes that call for ghee. Also, frying with butter after adding olive oil may help avoid over-browning of food.
READ ALSO: 17 Benefits f Cocoa Butter You Need to Know
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be a good alternative to ghee if you want to give your dish an enriched aroma.
Coconut oil is extremely healthy and classified as one of the superfoods. It contains fatty acids that are beneficial for your health.
Using coconut oil for cooking may reduce seizures, improve memory, increase fat burning, and raise the level of good HDL cholesterol.
116 patients with coronary artery disease participated in a clinical trial that shows coconut oil could raise the level of good HDL cholesterol.
You can use coconut oil for frying, roasting, and even baking.
READ ALSO: Fractionaed Coconut Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Safety
4. Canola Oil
Canola oil is one of the most versatile oils that you can use for baking, grilling, frying, and even sautéing vegetables.
It’s a vegetable-based oil and contains a number of nutrients. Canola oil has a good amount of fatty acids that may protect you against heart disease and type-2 diabetes.
If you want to use canola oil in cooking, use it in the same quantity as ghee.
READ ALSO: Canola vs. Vegetable Oil: Which One Will You Choose?
5. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a lesser-known vegetable oil that possesses numerous health benefits.
The oil is relatively inexpensive and contains a good amount of vitamin K and vitamin E. The presence of fatty acids makes it a heart-friendly oil.
In an animal study, it was proved that the polyunsaturated fatty acids in sesame oil can lower bad cholesterol level in the rats.
Sesame oil has a nice aroma that makes it a good substitutes for ghee in salad dressing and stir-fry.
6. Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is one of the most used vegetable oils in the world. Due to the presence of a good variety of fatty acids, it is considered healthier than most other vegetable oils.
Soybean oil can improve your heart health, boost immunity, lower cholesterol level, and treat cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that soybean oil can prevent heart diseases like heart attack and strokes.
You can use soybean oil as a substitute for ghee while making mayonnaise and in baking.
7. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a non-volatile oil that you can use for cooking and frying.
This oil is a good source of vitamin K, vitamin E, phytosterols, and monosaturated fatty acids.
Sunflower oil can boost your energy, promote a healthy heart, improve the immune system, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol.
According to the research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the linoleic acid found in sunflower oil may lower the bad cholesterol level.
Sunflower oil can be used for salad dressing and pan frying if you fall short of ghee.
8. Clarified Butter
As ghee is a type of clarified butter, you can use it for cooking. It will give you the same caramel-like flavor in any recipe that calls for ghee.
You are suggested to add some olive oil to the clarified butter to make the dish more delicious and flavorful.
READ ALSO: 10 Reasons Why You Should Use Shea Butter For Hair
Bottom Line
Ghee is widely available and a popular choice for cooking. However, as it is purely made of fat, excessive consumption may cause some health problems.
However, most Indian dishes like curry and roast seem to be incomplete without this delicious fat.
Don’t hurt your tastebud only because you do not have ghee in your home. Use the substitutes mentioned above to get the same flavor and deliciousness in your dishes.
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