Ghee is a very important ingredient in Indian Kitchen. Making ghee is an age-old process in which cow’s and buffalo’s butter is heated and milk solids are removed. Technically, Ghee is lactose-free, soothing, highly digestible, anti-inflammatory, and reduces our exposure to cancer-causing agents.
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What is ghee?
Ghee is a clarified butter originally an ancient Indain recipe. Ghee is the pillor of Indian cooking and has lots of benefits according to Ayurveda. Ghee is nothing but a butter that is cooked on low flame until milk solids turns slightly brown, nutty and caramelized.
Is ghee dairy free?
No, Ghee is not dairy free. It is made from cow’s or buffalo’s dairy butter. However, Ghee contains very low level of lactose because milk solids are cooked and separated. So, ghee may be a good choice for lactose intoleranants (Always ask your doctor or health care provider before consuming)
Ghee is not vegan as it is made from animal product. Those who are vegan, Use plant based substitutes.
Ghee vs Clarified butter
Ghee is an Indian version of clarified butter which has almost no milk solids. There is clarified butter in French cooking also. In france, clarified butter has some uncooked milk solids which gives mild sweet flavor to the clarified butter.
Ghee vs Butter
Ghee and butter both are made from milk, it’s fat content is very similar. The only difference I can say as of now is, ghee does not contain the same levels of dairy protein as butter, It may be a good choice for people who do not tolerate dairy products.
Instant pot Ghee
I personally find absolutely no difference in terms of texture and taste between instant pot ghee and traditional stove ghee.
I feel, Making ghee in instant pot is a more convenient choice as you don’t need to continuously watch your ghee and adjust the flame settings.
How much ghee you can make in a single batch in instant pot?
I thought this one another important point I should mention here. I observed that the size of your instant pot plays important role here. I have 3qt Instant Pot which I find perfect to make ghee from two(2) butter blocks(450g each in weight). If you add more butterblocks in 3qt inner pot, the chances are high that butter may come out from the pot while boiling and simmering and may cause a serious damage to your instant pot.
If you have Instant pot in bigger size, you can add more butter blocks but I highly recommend to start with one or two butter blocks.
Which butter is best to make ghee?
I have already shared traditional ghee method here where I used homemade butter. However, It is not possible always to make butter at home due to many reasons.
Do not use salted butter. Always use unsalted butter while making ghee. Any regular unsalted butter works fine for ghee. I use regular unsalted butter to make ghee whichever is cheap- no specific brand. However, If you fine grass-fed unsalted butter,use that. It will give better taste to the ghee.
How to store ghee?
Storing ghee is quite easy. Use a sterilized glass jar or an airtight container to store ghee. It stays good at room temperature for 2-3 months. Usually I prepare my ghee in monthly batches. If you want to store it for a longer period of time than store it in a refrigerator.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter – This recipe requires only one ingredient which is unsalted butter. Use the brands whatever you like.
No other ingredients are required.
How to make ghee in instant pot
Take 2 blocks of butter and add to the instant pot steel inner pot. Start your instant pot in “saute mode(normal)”. After 2-3 minutes, Butter will start melting.
After 7 to 8 minutes, the melted butter will start bubbling and milk solids will start to separate.
Initially, Milk solids will start to float on the top but they will settle down at the bottom after few minutes of boiling.
After roughly 12 minutes, You will notice that milk solids turn brown and settled at the bottom.
Turn of the instant pot and ghee will continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remember, We want the milk solids on the bottom to turn golden brown, but not blacken. Keep a close eye so it does not burn.
Remove the inner pot of instant pot after 5 to 10 minute and strain the ghee using fine strainer or cheese cloth into a sterilized glass jar.
Store and use as required.
More how-to’s on the blog you may like,
Instant pot ghee
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 blocks unsalted butter, 450g of each block apporx, unsalted preferably
Instructions
- Take 2 blocks of butter and add to the instant pot steel inner pot. Start your instant pot in "saute mode(normal)". After 2-3 minutes, Butter will start melting.2 blocks unsalted butter
- After 7 to 8 minutes, the melted butter will start bubbling and milk solids will start to separate.
- Initially, Milk solids will start to float on the top but they will settle down at the bottom after few minutes of boiling.
- After roughly 12 minutes, You will notice that milk solids turn brown and settled at the bottom.
- Turn of the instant pot and ghee will continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remember, We want the milk solids on the bottom to turn golden brown, but not blacken. Keep a close eye so it does not burn.
- Remove the inner pot of the instant pot after 5 to 10 minutes and strain the ghee using a fine strainer or cheese cloth into a sterilized glass jar.
- Store and use as required.
Great cornerstone content about ghee. So informative. This process is so much easier than doing this on stovetop.
Thank you so much dear 🙂
What a great recipe for getting the best quality ghee! Do you think I could make this in a traditional slow cooker? Or with the heat not be strong enough?
Hi David, I can’t say anything about the slow cooker as I have not tried it yet but you can definitely try this on low to medium stovetop flame. I used to prepare ghee on a medium stove-top flame when I didn’t have an instant pot.
Such an interesting post! Loads of info, and appreciate the distinction between ghee and clarified butter. Don’t have an IP, but I can use your stovetop method. Thanks!
Thank you so much John! Yes, the stovetop method will work just fine. I used to make it on stovetop.
Which instant pot do you have?
Hey, I am using Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-In-1 Multi-Use cooker currently.