We know what ghee is. In case some of you don’t – ghee is a type of clarified butter. It’s originally from India.
Ghee is present in many meals from Asia, especially in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Using ghee in a meal instead of vegetable oil adds a certain flavor to the meal.
Now, ghee isn’t exclusively popular in Asia only – it’s made its way into the United States and our hearts. Also, this is a healthier alternative to using vegetable oil.
Ghee is beneficial to human health and it’s even used in holistic, ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine uses only some specific types of ghee, but more on that later.
Since you only heard good things about ghee, you decided to stock up on it. There is only one problem though – how long does ghee last? Does ghee go bad?
You wonder and wonder but without the real answer. Luckily, we know all about ghee. In this article, we’ll cover topics like does ghee go bad, its shelf life, and how to store it. So, what are you waiting for? Read on!
Facts About Ghee
Ghee is a type of clarified butter, we already talked about that. It’s made by slowly simmering butter. In the end, butter becomes clear and liquid. Spices can be added for extra flavor – but this is most popular in western cuisine.
It’s simmered until milk solids and liquid start to separate from one another. Then, the milk solids are removed and the liquid is strained to create ghee.
The reason why ghee is so popular is that it has a relatively high smoke point – 485 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes ghee an ideal oil to stir-fry on. Did you know that the best-fried chicken is made with ghee? No? Well, now you do!
Traditionally, ghee is made from bovine milk, because cows are sacred in India. It can also be made from buffalo milk, but for ayurvedic purposes, it has to be made from bovine milk.
Let’s check out the nutritional value of 1 tablespoon of ghee:
| Nutrient | Value | Daily value in %* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 112 | 5% |
| Total fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated fat | 7.9g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 33mg | 11% |
| Vitamin A | 10mcg | 8% |
Another reason why using ghee is a great idea – it’s beneficial to your health!
Some of the benefits are:
- Ghee is good for intestinal health;
- Good source of fat – especially if you lead a keto or paleo diet;
- Reduces risk of heart disease and
- Gives your skin that healthy glow.
If you’re into healthy living, you must love avocado. Read our article to find out whether avocado can go bad!
Does Ghee Go Bad?
This is the most important thing you should know before you proceed. With this information, you will know whether stocking up on ghee is a good idea or a poor investment. So, does ghee go bad?
Unfortunately, ghee can go bad. Like pretty much all food products, ghee has a moment when it simply expires. But, why does that happen?
Well, ghee is mostly made of fatty acids. Fatty acids tend to go rancid after a while, and rancidity is a process of fatty acid oxidation.
Rancid ghee, like all rancid oils and fats, can ruin an entire meal and make it taste horrible. So, make sure your ghee is still good before use.
To make sure your ghee doesn’t go bad before its time, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and the advice we’re about to give you!
How Long Does Ghee Last?
Now, let’s talk about shelf life. We know that ghee has an expiration date, but how much do you have until it happens?
Pretty much every jar or bottle of ghee comes with a best-by or best-before date printed on the back label. A best-by date is simply the manufacturer’s guarantee that the product in question will retain the highest quality up to the printed date.
Afterward, the product may start to degrade in quality or remain unchanged for quite some time before it expires. What’s up with ghee?
Well, it will stay perfectly safe for use for around a month past the best-by date.
That is if kept at room temperature. If you keep it in the fridge, the cold climate will keep the ghee fresh for longer. It will still start to degrade over time, though. To finish it up while the ghee is still in peak quality, use it three to six months past the best-by date.
It doesn’t matter whether you opened the jar or not – it will go bad either way. It won’t happen any faster if by any chance you opened it a while ago. Just make sure to check it out before you add it to meals if it’s approaching the expiration date.
Storage Tips And Tricks For Ghee
Storage is the key factor when it comes to any food product. With correct storage, your food will stay fresh even longer and it will save you money in the process – because you won’t have to throw out anything.
Ghee is a pretty simple ingredient to store. It can be kept at room temperature, or colder – it’s good either way. Colder temperatures tend to prolong the shelf life, but the pantry works just fine.
Ghee was actually invented as a shelf-stable alternative to butter. In hot climates, like India, it was hard to keep butter fresh, because it would go rancid at 100-degree weather. Ghee can withstand warm temperatures because the milk solids are removed, and those solids are the reason why butter isn’t shelf-stable.
There are a few things to remember about the pantry, though. Pick a place away from the window or any sources of heat like an air vent or the radiator. Exposure to light or heat can affect the ghee in a way that the ghee can go bad way before its time.
Also, make sure to use an airtight container – original packaging works best. If using the original jar or bottle is not possible for any reason, use something that can be sealed tightly.
Close the container tightly after each use to prevent bacteria from getting inside. The same thing is if you decide to store the ghee in the fridge. In the fridge, an opened jar of ghee can soak up smells from its surroundings, so it’s best to always close it well.
Can You Freeze Ghee?
Yes, ghee can be frozen. It’s actually a great idea to freeze ghee because it retains good quality indefinitely when frozen.
There are a few things to remember first:
- Use an airtight container or freezer bag and seal them tightly. Ghee cannot be frozen in its original packaging because it’s usually glass – and glass will shatter at freezing temperatures;
- Wrap the container or bag with plastic wrap if you plan to store ghee in the freezer for a longer period;
- You can scope some ghee out and put it in the back in the freezer – just make sure that you use a clean utensil each time;
- Ghee is best thawed in the refrigerator overnight, but if you’re in a hurry, you can add some to a hot pan and just start cooking!
Miso lovers, do you know if it can go bad? Read our article to find out!
How To Check Out If The Ghee Is Still Fresh
There are a few basic steps to check out your ghee. Read this section carefully to learn how to do that.
Number one – mold. Mold is not likely to grow on ghee, but it can happen. If it does, by any chance, discard the ghee. We assure you there’s no way around it – it has to be thrown out.
If you did spot mold on your ghee, it’s likely due to external factors. For example, if the pantry is humid, it can affect the ghee and cause mold to grow on it.
Any discolorations are the same – if you can see them, ghee is not safe for use. Throw it out!
When butter goes bad, it gets a certain, foul smell – but ghee does not. Ghee only has changes in flavor. When it goes rancid, it gets a bitter or sour taste.
So, if you’re not sure about the state of your ghee, take a small bite. If it doesn’t have a pleasant taste, it’s best tossed out!
Does Ghee Go Bad – Conclusion
To conclude, ghee can go bad. Like all oils and fats, they can go bad at some point. It happens due to a chemical process called rancidity.
How long does ghee last, exactly? Well, the shelf life is mostly impacted by storage. At room temperature, you have no more than a month past the best-by date to use it up. If you store it in the fridge, you can cook with ghee up to six months past the best-by date.
Just make sure to store it in an airtight container – or a freezer-safe bag if you plan to freeze ghee. Pantry is fine if you keep ghee away from the window or sources of heat.
If the ghee looks and tastes fine – it’s fine to use! So what are you waiting for – start cooking!