Dairy
Vegan alternative to ghee: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace ghee with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Vegan ghee (coconut + sesame blend) (dal, curries, high-heat frying).
- Ratio: 1:1.
- Pro tip: A teaspoon of nutritional yeast in coconut oil gets you close to ghee's nutty aroma for tadka.
- 2 tested vegan alternatives to ghee in total.
Why ghee isn't vegan
Clarified butter from cow or buffalo milk.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Vegan ghee (coconut + sesame blend) | Dal, curries, high-heat frying |
| Refined coconut oil + pinch of salt | Everyday cooking |
How to substitute ghee, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Vegan ghee (coconut + sesame blend) — dal, curries, high-heat frying. If you need a different texture, Refined coconut oil + pinch of salt works for everyday cooking.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing ghee.
- 3
Adjust the method
A teaspoon of nutritional yeast in coconut oil gets you close to ghee's nutty aroma for tadka.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than ghee. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures ghee by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: A teaspoon of nutritional yeast in coconut oil gets you close to ghee's nutty aroma for tadka.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1.
Pro tip
A teaspoon of nutritional yeast in coconut oil gets you close to ghee's nutty aroma for tadka.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to ghee?
- Vegan ghee (coconut + sesame blend) is the closest all-round swap — dal, curries, high-heat frying. 1:1.
- Why isn't ghee vegan?
- Clarified butter from cow or buffalo milk.
- How much do I use instead of ghee?
- 1:1.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- A teaspoon of nutritional yeast in coconut oil gets you close to ghee's nutty aroma for tadka.
Not sure if a product contains ghee?
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