How to Clarify Butter
Edited by Viola Palmer, Brigitta M., Imperatrix, Ben Rubenstein and 19 others
Four Methods:Skimming the solidsStraining through clothUsing a plastic bagUsing a microwave and turkey baster
Clarified butter is melted butter with the solids and water removed. It is a delicious, simple ingredient that is often used in sauces and as a condiment for lobster and other seafood treats. Best of all, making it only takes a few minutes! See Step 1 below to get started.
EditSteps
EditMethod 1 of 4: Skimming the solids
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1Melt butter. Place any quantity of butter in a saucepan and melt it slowly over low heat. Don't let it brown.Ad -
2Remove the butter from heat and let it stand. The foamy solids will gather at the surface of the melted butter. -
3Skim the butter fat from the top. Use a spoon to remove the whitish solids, then strain the clear yellow liquid into a container.
EditMethod 2 of 4: Straining through cloth
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1Melt butter. Place any amount of salted or unsalted butter in a pan and melt it completely. Don't overcook it or it will brown.
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2Let the butter stand for a few minutes. The solids will rise to its surface.
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3Pass the butter through a cloth. Pour the butter through a clean tea towel or damp cheesecloth after melting. Let the liquid run through the cloth into a bowl.
EditMethod 3 of 4: Using a plastic bag
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1Melt butter. Melt whatever quantity of butter you wish in a saucepan over low heat. Don't let it get so hot that it browns.
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2Let the butter stand. Remove it from heat and let it sit until the solids gather at the top.
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3Pour the butter into a resealable bag. Use they type of food storage bag that has a zipper seal. Seal the bag, making sure it's locked.
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4Let the butter cool. Two distinct layers will form in the bag; a liquid layer on the bottom, and a solid layer on the top.
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5Snip off a corner of the bag. Snip off just enough of one of the bottom corners to make a small hole for the liquid to run through.
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6Let the liquid run into a bowl. The solids won't be able to pass through the hole.
EditMethod 4 of 4: Using a microwave and turkey baster
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1Put unsalted butter in a standard tall and wide drinking glass.
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2Put the glass into the microwave. Melt the butter slowly at mid-power until you see the three layers develop (top foamy solids; middle clear yellow liquid; and bottom heavy solids).
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3Let the glass stand for a couple minutes. Leave until the layer separation is complete. Remove from the microwave.
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4Squeeze the turkey baster bulb. Insert it into the middle layer and suck the clear yellow liquid (clarified butter) from the glass.
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5Transfer it into a separate container. Repeat until all the clarified butter is extracted, leaving the solids behind.Ad
EditVideo
EditTips
- Check the butter's package to see if the butter is salted or not and adjust accordingly the amount of salt added in your recipe.
- Store clarified butter in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
EditThings You'll Need
- Butter
- A pot of reasonable size
- A heat source
- A tea-towel or cheesecloth
Article Info
Categories: Butter and Ghee
Recent edits by: TJean, ElizabethD, Steve
In other languages:
Deutsch: Wie man Butter klärt, Italiano: Come Preparare il Burro Chiarificato, Português: Como Fazer Manteiga Clarificada, Français: Comment clarifier du beurre, Español: Cómo clarificar mantequilla, Русский: приготовить очищенное сливочное масло, Nederlands: Boter klaren
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