Does Ghee Go Bad? How Long Does Ghee Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on June 24th, 2022

Is it possible for ghee to go bad? How should ghee be stored to keep it as fresh as possible? How can you tell if ghee is spoiled?

Short answer: No, not at all. The date on the label serves just as a guideline for how long the fat should keep its optimal quality. Ghee may be kept correctly for months after the expiration date.

Perhaps you purchased ghee in order to prepare some delectable treats.

Maybe you used half a bottle to prepare crispy fried chicken for your visitors.

You’re probably here because you discovered some old ghee and are wondering if it’s spoiled.

The good news is that ghee has a very long shelf life and seldom spoils.

However, if your ghee has discoloration, mold development, strange odors, or poor taste, you should discard it to be on the safe side.

Let us go a bit further and learn everything there is to know about this amazing culinary ingredient.

What Exactly Is Ghee?

Ghee is a pure clarified butter that is popular all over the world for its lovely toasted umami flavor. It’s a clear, golden liquid that’s devoid of milk particles.

Do you want to know what the most exciting part is? The smoke point of ghee is 482 ° F (or 250 ° C), which is significantly higher than that of most other cooking oils.

Among the advantages are:

• Ghee is beneficial to intestinal health;
• it is an excellent source of fat, especially if you follow a keto or paleo diet;
• it lowers the risk of heart disease;
• and it gives your skin a healthy shine.

How Long Does Ghee Last?

On the container, look for the best before date. It will tell you how long you can anticipate enjoying the highest grade ghee. The expiration date does not suggest that your ghee will go bad shortly after.

Its quality deteriorates slowly. You can continue to use your ghee for several months beyond that date. That means you may enjoy high-quality ghee for a year after it is manufactured.

The greatest thing is that if you keep your ghee in the freezer, it will last eternally.

How Long Does Ghee Last If It Isn’t Opened?

If kept at room temperature, sealed ghee will last up to 24 months (2 years) in its original container. However, keep away from heat and intense sunshine to minimize moisture penetration. If it is handmade, keep it in an airtight container, such as this one from Amazon, following the same heat and sunshine precautions. This will result in a batch that will last between 6 and 12 months.

How Long Does Ghee Keep in the Fridge?

Ghee has been reported to survive 3-4 months at room temperature if stored in its original container after usage. The location and total exposure of the set storage define this duration. The timeframe will be shortened owing to moisture collection if the ghee is exposed to direct sunshine, heat, or a simple lid oversight (not fully fastened).

How Long Does Ghee Keep in the Fridge?

Once the ghee container has been opened (broken seal), it will keep in the refrigerator for about a year. Keep the lid tightly closed when removing ghee from the jar, and avoid using damp utensils. The idea is to keep moisture out of the house at all costs. If done correctly, your ghee will last until its expiration date and offer you a few more months of enjoyment.

Ghee expiration date chart

If kept at room temperature, sealed store-bought ghee will survive up to 24 months in its original container. Ghee will keep for 3-4 months at room temperature and up to 12 months in the fridge once opened. When properly kept in an airtight container, homemade ghee can keep up to 12 months.

How to Tell if your ghee has gone bad

Ghee, unlike ordinary butter, does not spoil very quickly.

Let us investigate why: When butter is hydrolyzed, the butyrate generates an unpleasant odor. However, your ghee contains no milk solids. Because there is no butyrate, there is no possibility of hydrolysis.

Does this imply that your ghee will last indefinitely? No.

Though your ghee will not deteriorate, it may turn rancid if stored for an extended period.

• A strange odor may replace its milky-sweet odor.
• Your ghee may have a sour flavor.
• There might be a minor hue shift, or it could look bad.
• There might be signs of mold development.

Before you toss it away: When ghee has that sour smell and flavor, it’s because the fats and oils in it have oxidized due to exposure to air. This is known as rancidity, and rancid ghee is not harmful.

As a result, if your ghee has become somewhat rancid, use it sparingly in a recipe, and you won’t feel the difference!

Can You Eat Ghee After It Has Expired?

Unlike butter, expired ghee can be consumed after its expiration date (unless it has visible mold). In truth, you will not become unwell but will notice and taste the difference. This is why ghee is such a flexible fat source. To achieve the optimum results, discard the expired ghee and either buy more or create a new batch. The freshest ingredients are always the best!

Ghee Storage Instructions

It is made entirely of fat and has a long shelf life. So storing it in your pantry alongside your other oils is not bad.

You may discover much-contradicting advice on how to keep ghee on the Internet.

Don’t be concerned. Follow the example of the supermarket shop. Was it kept on a shelf or in the store’s refrigerator? Then, when you go home, store your ghee similarly.

Still, have questions about how to store your ghee? First, keep it in a cool, dark spot that is not exposed to direct sunlight. That is the only sure method to keep its quality!

Homemade ghee: Do you want to put your culinary abilities to use and create ghee at home? Remember to store it in a heat-resistant glass container. Allow it to cool before carefully sealing the lid.

Before putting the jar in the fridge, note the date on it.

I’m curious if you can freeze ghee. Yes! If you use a small amount of ghee at a time and wish to store it for a long period.

Divide your ghee and store it in freezer bags or airtight containers. To avoid freezer burn, double bag the ghee. If you like, you can label them. Keeping your ghee in separate bags makes portioning and freezing much easier.

Is it necessary to keep ghee refrigerated?

Ghee does not need to be refrigerated, and many producers suggest storing it in the pantry. However, if you want to preserve your quality of yours for as long as possible, place it in the refrigerator. In this manner, it will last a few months longer.

On the internet is a lot of contradicting advice regarding keeping ghee.

According to several sites, you may store it in the pantry, and it will be alright. Others argue that it must be chilled to be safe. Of course, freezing is also an option.

Is it possible to freeze ghee?

Did you know you can get Full Moon Ghee in bulk? It is real, and it will save you money! If you enjoy ghee, purchasing in bulk may be the best option. On the other hand, a gallon of ghee may be too much for the ordinary ghee enthusiast to consume before it spoils. But don’t panic because it is possible to freeze ghee.

If you have a huge amount of ghee that you want to save for later use, it’s pretty simple. To begin, divide the ghee into smaller freezer-safe containers (freezer bags will do, but if you plan to keep the ghee frozen for months, you may want to double wrap it to prevent freezer burn). The containers should then be labeled and placed in the freezer. Voila! Ghee has been frozen.

How does Long Will Ghee keep in the Freezer?

Ghee may be kept in the freezer forever. However, the freezing temperature affects the taste, and thawing ghee is straightforward.

It is critical that if you want to freeze ghee, you split the ghee into weekly or monthly parts before freezing.

Otherwise, you’ll have to thaw out all of your ghee and refreeze what you don’t need, risking freezer burn on the ghee.

Because of its long shelf life and distinct flavor, ghee is an excellent substitute for butter. Whether kept at room temperature, in the fridge, or the freezer, ghee will remain fresh and ready for your next meal.

How to defrost ghee

When you’re ready to defrost the ghee, place it in the refrigerator and let it there overnight.

how to use ghee

Most oils can be substituted with ghee. It’s a substitute for coconut oil, but it has a deeper, nuttier, and more umami flavor than other oils, particularly coconut. In addition, ghee has a substantially greater melting point than butter and other oils. This implies that ghee is a fantastic butter substitute if you want a buttery richness but are concerned about the fat catching.

Ghee has recently gained popularity in the United States and Europe because of its suitability for lactose intolerant persons. It’s also Paleo and Whole 30 compliant.

Ghee is also becoming popular as a popcorn topping! Try it the next time you pop some popcorn at home. Furthermore, in nations where ghee is a staple of the diet, it is utilized as a basic spread. You may spread it on toast, crackers, or excellent bread.

In reality, ghee is utilized in many applications in India and Southeast Asia. It’s also used in certain medications and is delicious when blended with hot milk at night.

Whether you’ve just purchased your first packet of ghee or have been producing it at home for years, you must take good care of it to get the most out of ghee as an ingredient.

Conclusion

The following are the important takeaways:

• Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is extremely popular due to its culinary variety and health advantages.
• Ghee may be stored for at least a year, depending on how it is stored.
• Allow no moisture or other impurities to enter your jar of ghee to prevent deterioration.

Editorial Staff

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