Roasted Potatoes Are Unbelievably Tasty When You Coat Them In This (It's Not Regular Butter Or Oil)

Everyone has their tricks for making the best roasted potatoes. Fluffing, steaming, smashing — some people even swear by certain trays for the crispiest spuds. Then there are the temperature variations and flavorings, and we won't even get into the timings. Another common way to experiment with roast potatoes is to change up the fat, and if you haven't tried using one specific type yet, it might be time to add it into the rotation: Ghee.

Ghee is a concentrated form of butter that has had all of the water and milk solids removed. What differentiates it from clarified butter is that the solids are allowed to settle and caramelize slightly during the preparation process. This creates a nutty, indulgent flavor that transfers beautifully to potatoes.

Unlike olive oil, ghee has a very high smoke point thanks to its lack of moisture, which is helpful for roasting at high temperatures. Plus, there is less of a chance of the potatoes steaming rather than crisping, which is a risk with normal butter. Ghee also coats potatoes perfectly and gives them a glossy finish, ensuring extra-crispy roasties with thick, golden edges and fluffy interiors.

Ghee and butter are pretty interchangeable for most methods of cooking. The one area you need to be careful with is baking, as ghee doesn't contain any water — and evaporation is necessary for a lot of pastry and bread recipes. But for roast potatoes, a 1:1 swap will do. The amount you use is up to preference, but a few tablespoons for every pound of potatoes should work. Just melt the ghee on the tray you plan to use and then toss the potatoes in it before roasting. 

The natural flavor of the ghee should be enough to make the spuds shine, but a little sea salt is always welcome. You can also add any other herbs or seasonings that you typically use to make mouth-watering roast potatoes, like garlic, rosemary, sage, or thyme. Ghee is a staple ingredient in Indian cooking, so you could lean into that further by incorporating cumin, fennel seeds, and fenugreek. Even a little curry powder can be lovely for a change.

Serve with any protein you'd like, like a simple roast chicken or perfectly grilled steaks. The flavor of ghee also pairs nicely with lobster. Just make sure you use the right type of potatoes for roasting for the best results, and par-boil them first to ensure a moist, fluffy interior. Here are more potato roasting hacks if you really want to up your game.