Best Ghee Substitutes: 5 Top Cooking & Baking Swaps
The best substitute for ghee is Butter at a 1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup ghee ratio. It works best for baking, sautéing, spreading. There are 4 other alternatives below, each with exact ratios and usage notes.
Best Substitute
Butter
1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup ghee
Butter has 20% water content. Use 25% more butter than ghee. Reduce other liquids slightly.
What are the other substitutes for ghee?
Coconut Oil
1 cup coconut oil per 1 cup ghee
Use refined for neutral flavor. Works 1:1 and handles moderate heat well. Produces a different flavor but works in Indian recipes as a vegan alternative.
Avocado Oil
3/4 cup avocado oil per 1 cup ghee
Use less since it is 100% liquid fat. High smoke point (520°F) matches ghee's high-heat capability. Neutral flavor but misses ghee's nutty richness.
Olive Oil
3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup ghee
Use less since it is pure liquid fat. Light olive oil works for cooking; extra virgin adds its own distinctive flavor. Not for high-heat frying.
Sunflower Oil
3/4 cup sunflower oil per 1 cup ghee
Neutral flavor with a high smoke point. Works for cooking where ghee's flavor is not essential. Common in Indian cooking as a vegetarian alternative.
What should you know before substituting ghee?
Ghee's high smoke point makes it excellent for searing and deep frying. Its nutty, caramelized flavor comes from browning the milk solids before straining. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate ghee since the milk solids are removed. To make ghee at home, melt butter slowly and skim off the foam until the liquid is clear and golden.
How do you substitute ghee in a recipe?
Clarified butter with milk solids and water fully removed, leaving nearly pure butterfat with a rich, nutty flavor and very high smoke point (485°F). A staple in Indian and South Asian cooking.
The best substitute for ghee depends on what role it plays in your recipe. Our top recommendation is Butter (1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup ghee), which works well for baking, sautéing, spreading.
If you need a different option, Coconut Oil (1 cup coconut oil per 1 cup ghee) is another reliable choice. Use refined for neutral flavor. Works 1:1 and handles moderate heat well. Produces a different flavor but works in Indian recipes as a vegan alternative.
When substituting ghee, consider the flavor profile, texture, and cooking method of your recipe. For vegan alternatives, look for the options marked with the vegan badge above.
Substitution ratios verified against USDA FoodData Central and American Heart Association. See our testing methodology for details.
What can you use instead of ghee in specific recipes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use butter instead of ghee?
Yes. Use 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon of butter per cup of ghee. Butter has a lower smoke point (350°F vs 485°F) so reduce the heat for frying. The flavor will be slightly different without ghee's nutty depth.
Is ghee healthier than butter?
Ghee and butter have similar calorie and fat content. Ghee has the advantage of a higher smoke point (less likely to burn), is virtually free of lactose and casein, and contains slightly more short-chain fatty acids.
What is the best vegan substitute for ghee?
Coconut oil works 1:1 and is the most common vegan ghee substitute in Indian cooking. For high-heat applications, avocado oil at 3/4 cup per cup of ghee matches ghee's smoke point capability.