Ghee Substitute for Butter: Exact Ratio
Looking for a butter substitute? Ghee works as a direct replacement. Use 3/4 cup ghee per 1 cup butter in any recipe that calls for butter. This swap works best for sautéing, Indian dishes, baking.
Best Substitute
Ghee
3/4 cup ghee per 1 cup butter
Ghee is 100% fat vs butter at 80%. Use 25% less ghee. Adds nutty flavor.
Flavor & Texture Change
Adds a rich, nutty, caramelized flavor that is more intensely 'buttery' than butter itself. Baked goods will have a toasted quality.
When Not to Use
Not suitable if you need butter's water content (the 15% water in butter creates steam that helps leaven biscuits and puff pastry). Use 25% less ghee than butter since it is 100% fat.
Tips When Replacing Butter in Recipes
When substituting butter, consider its three roles: fat (for richness and tenderness), water content (for steam and leavening), and milk solids (for browning and flavor). Oil-based substitutes provide fat but not steam. For flaky pastry, use solid fats like coconut oil or vegan butter, not liquid oils.
What Is Butter and Why Substitute It?
A dairy fat made from churned cream, used for flavor, moisture, tenderness, and flakiness in baking and cooking. Contains about 80% fat, 15% water, and 5% milk solids.
Ghee is one of 6 alternatives you can use instead of butter. For a complete list of butter substitutes with ratios and cooking tips, visit the full butter substitute page.
What Else Can I Use Instead of Butter?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ghee instead of butter?
Yes, you can use ghee as a substitute for butter. Use 3/4 cup ghee per 1 cup butter. Ghee is 100% fat vs butter at 80%. Use 25% less ghee. Adds nutty flavor.
How much ghee equals butter?
Use 3/4 cup ghee per 1 cup butter to replace butter with ghee. Works best for sautéing, Indian dishes, baking.
What is the best substitute for butter?
Ghee is a popular substitute for butter. Use 3/4 cup ghee per 1 cup butter for a 1-to-1 replacement. See all 6 alternatives on our butter substitute page.
Does ghee change the taste when replacing butter?
Not suitable if you need butter's water content (the 15% water in butter creates steam that helps leaven biscuits and puff pastry). Use 25% less ghee than butter since it is 100% fat.