How To Clarify Butter

It imparts a full, rich flavor to sautéed vegetables, and mellows the spicy hotness of such recipes.

What Exactly Is Clarified Butter?

Clarified butter is the beautiful yellow liquid you see in the photos. Similar to ghee in Indian cuisine (a little bit different but close), it comes from ordinary salted or unsalted butter you buy at the grocery store.

Butter is composed of milk solids, fats and water. When cooked, you remove the milk solids and are left with the fat which is golden delicious.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry! It’s super easy and pretty quick.

Why Clarify It?

Butter burns easily because the milk solids it contains cannot withstand high heat. Sometimes you want that browned butter taste, but other times you want to roast, fry or sauté on high and plain butter is out of the question. That’s when clarified butter becomes your cooking ally.

The other reason to clarify butter is that it prevents it from going rancid. You can store clarified butter for up to a year in the refrigerator, or in the cupboard for up to six months. Because it’s pure fat, it won’t spoil.

To Make Clarified Butter

Here’s how to get clarified butter:

Melt butter in a small saucepan on low heat until it starts to bubble, skimming the foam from the top.
Continue cooking on low until it stops bubbling and the liquid is clear.
When all the milk solids have cooked out and sunk, tip the pan and carefully pour off the fat into a glass or ceramic jar, leaving the solids behind. Cheesecloth or coffee filters are helpful when making clarified butter.
Cool and store in the refrigerator or cupboard.

How to Store It

Clarified butter should be stored in a tightly covered jar. It will solidify slightly in the refrigerator and will remain liquefied in the cupboard or countertop for use in cooking for months to come.

Use it for shrimp scampi, stir-fries or to for a drizzle over clams, mussels, and oysters.

Try Clarified Butter In These Delicious Recipes

Easy Grilled Asparagus (with Parmesan) – asparagus is the perfect side!
Microwave Corn on the Cob – better than regular butter
How to Cook Rice – delicious in rice
Honey Roasted Carrots – a great addition
Parmesan Roasted Leeks – just a drizzle!