Oil vs. Ghee — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 10, 2024
Oil is a liquid fat extracted from plants or animals, used for cooking and flavoring, whereas ghee is clarified butter from milk fat, offering a rich nutty flavor and high smoke point.
Difference Between Oil and Ghee
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Oil is derived from various sources, including vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and remains liquid at room temperature due to its unsaturated fat content. Whereas ghee, made by simmering butter to separate milk solids from the fat, is semi-solid at room temperature and predominantly consists of saturated fats.
Oils can vary widely in flavor, nutritional content, and smoke point based on their source and processing. For example, olive oil is known for its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, while coconut oil provides a high amount of saturated fats. On the other hand, ghee offers a uniform profile—rich in butyric acid and vitamins A, D, E, and K, with a smoke point suitable for high-temperature cooking.
In culinary uses, oils are versatile, used in everything from salad dressings to deep frying, depending on their smoke point and flavor. Ghee is prized in South Asian cuisines for its robust flavor and is typically used in sautéing, frying, or as a condiment.
Health-wise, the choice between oil and ghee may depend on dietary needs. Oils like olive and canola are preferred for their lower saturated fat content and benefits to heart health. Whereas ghee is often recommended for those following a high-fat diet like Keto, as it is lactose-free and contains no casein.
Sustainability and production methods also differ significantly. Plant-based oils can vary in environmental impact based on how the plants are farmed and processed. Ghee production is tied to dairy farming, which requires more resources and has a higher environmental footprint due to the inputs needed for livestock.
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Comparison Chart
Ource
Plants, nuts, seeds, or animals
Milk (butter)
State at Room Temp
Usually liquid
Semi-solid
Nutritional Content
Varies widely; can be high in unsaturated fats
High in saturated fats, vitamins A, D, E, K
Smoke Point
Varies; generally lower than ghee
High, suitable for high-temperature cooking
Culinary Use
Diverse; used in frying, baking, dressings
Common in sautéing, frying, flavoring
Compare with Definitions
Oil
A heart-healthy oil rich in monounsaturated fats.
Olive oil is a staple in Mediterranean cooking.
Ghee
Another term for ghee, emphasizing its purity.
Clarified butter is excellent for frying spices.
Oil
A plant oil with high saturated fat, used in cooking and beauty products.
Coconut oil is popular in vegan recipes.
Ghee
Traditional ghee made from cow or buffalo milk in South Asia.
Desi ghee is considered premium in Indian households.
Oil
Known for its low saturated fat content.
Canola oil is commonly used in baking and salad dressings.
Ghee
A technical term for ghee, indicating absence of water.
Anhydrous milk fat is pure butterfat.
Oil
A general term for oils extracted from plant sources.
Vegetable oil is often used for frying due to its neutral flavor.
Ghee
Often used synonymously with ghee, especially in culinary contexts.
Butter oil is used in high heat cooking due to its high smoke point.
Oil
Highly concentrated plant extracts, not used for cooking.
Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy.
Ghee
Clarified butter with milk solids removed, used in cooking.
Ghee is favored for its aromatic flavor in Indian dishes.
Oil
An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is a viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and is both hydrophobic (does not mix with water, literally "water fearing") and lipophilic (mixes with other oils, literally "fat loving"). Oils have a high carbon and hydrogen content and are usually flammable and surface active.
Ghee
Ghee (Sanskrit: Ghṛta) is a class of clarified butter that originated in ancient India. It is commonly used in cuisine of the Indian subcontinent, Middle Eastern cuisine, traditional medicine, and religious rituals.
Oil
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum, especially for use as a fuel or lubricant.
Ghee
A clarified semifluid butter used especially in South Asian cooking.
Oil
Oil paint
A portrait in oils
Ghee
A type of clarified butter used in South Asian cooking; usli ghee.
Oil
Information or facts
Young had some good oil on the Adelaide races
Ghee
(South Asia) Vegetable oil for cooking.
Oil
Lubricate, coat, or impregnate with oil
A lightly oiled baking tray
Ghee
Butter clarified by boiling, and thus converted into a kind of oil.
Oil
Supply with oil as fuel
Attempts should not be made to oil individual tanks too rapidly
Ghee
Clarified butter used in Indian cookery
Oil
Any of numerous mineral, vegetable, or synthetic substances or animal or vegetable fats that are generally slippery, combustible, viscous, liquid or liquefiable at room temperatures, soluble in various organic solvents such as ether but not in water, and used in a great variety of products, especially lubricants and fuels.
Oil
Petroleum.
Oil
A petroleum derivative, such as a machine oil or lubricant.
Oil
A protective or cosmetic liquid applied to the skin or hair.
Oil
Oil paint.
Oil
A painting done in oil paint.
Oil
To lubricate, supply, cover, or polish with oil.
Oil
Liquid fat.
Oil
Petroleum-based liquid used as fuel or lubricant.
Oil
Petroleum
Oil
(countable) An oil painting.
Oil
(painting) Oil paint.
I prefer to paint in oil
Oil
(attributive) Containing oil, conveying oil; intended for or capable of containing oil.
Oil barrel; oil pipe
Oil
(transitive) To lubricate with oil.
Oil
(transitive) To grease with oil for cooking.
Oil
Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin and of varied composition, and they are variously used for food, for solvents, for anointing, lubrication, illumination, etc. By extension, any substance of an oily consistency; as, oil of vitriol.
Oil
To smear or rub over with oil; to lubricate with oil; to anoint with oil.
Oil
A slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
Oil
Oil paint used by an artist
Oil
Any of a group of liquid edible fats that are obtained from plants
Oil
Cover with oil, as if by rubbing;
Oil the wooden surface
Oil
Administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing
Common Curiosities
Can people with dairy allergies use ghee?
Ghee is free from lactose and casein, making it generally safe for people with dairy allergies.
What are the health benefits of using olive oil compared to ghee?
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health, unlike ghee, which has higher saturated fat content.
How are oils and ghee used differently in cooking?
Oils are used in a variety of cooking methods including dressings and baking, whereas ghee is typically used for its flavor in frying and sautéing.
What is the primary difference between oil and ghee?
Oil is extracted from various plants, nuts, or seeds and remains liquid at room temperature, while ghee is clarified butter that is semi-solid.
Which is better for high-temperature cooking?
Ghee is better suited for high-temperature cooking due to its high smoke point.
Can the type of oil affect its nutritional value?
Yes, the source and processing of the oil can significantly affect its nutritional value, such as the presence of essential fatty acids.
Why might someone choose ghee over oil?
Someone might choose ghee over oil for its richer flavor, higher smoke point, or dietary preferences such as following a Keto diet.
Which has a greater environmental impact, producing oil or ghee?
Producing ghee generally has a greater environmental impact as it is derived from dairy and involves livestock, which requires more resources.
Are there any oils that are solid at room temperature?
Coconut oil can be solid at room temperature depending on the ambient temperature.
How does ghee contribute to traditional Indian medicine?
In traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, ghee is believed to promote digestion and enhance mental function.
Is ghee vegan-friendly?
Ghee is not vegan-friendly as it is made from animal-derived butter.
What type of fat predominates in ghee?
Ghee predominantly contains saturated fats.
Which is more shelf-stable, oil or ghee?
Ghee tends to be more shelf-stable due to its low moisture content and absence of milk solids.
How do the flavors of oils and ghee compare?
Oils can have a range of flavors from neutral to nutty or fruity, whereas ghee generally offers a rich, buttery, and slightly nutty flavor.
What are essential oils, and are they used in cooking?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts used primarily in aromatherapy and not suitable for cooking.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
