Golden turmeric ghee with black pepper

Golden turmeric ghee with black pepper: an aromatic recipe made with fresh turmeric root, organic grass-fed butter and pepper – golden yellow, spiced and intense.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 5 min
• Cooking time: 15 min
• Total time: 20 min
• Calories: 900 kcal per serving
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 100 g
• Carbs: 1 g

Ingredients

• 2 thick thumb-sized pieces of turmeric root
• 250g organic grass-fed butter
• 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

Method

You’ll need: frying pan · saucepan · chopping board · knife · sieve · grater · wooden spoon

1. Wash the turmeric root, peel it if needed and grate or chop it finely. Have the black pepper ready.
2. Melt the butter in a wide pan or frying pan over a gentle heat without letting it brown.
3. Add the turmeric to the melted butter and leave it to infuse over a low heat. Stir now and then so nothing sticks.
4. Stir in the pepper and keep warming briefly until fragrant. Don't let it boil hard.
5. Pour the mixture through a sieve if you want a smoother ghee, or leave the turmeric pieces in.
6. Serve the ghee warm or pour it into a clean jar. It goes well with vegetables, rice or warm dishes.

Good to know

A jar like this is handy to keep within reach in the kitchen. Warm, spiced and a deep golden yellow – small in quantity, big on flavour.

Swaps

Organic grass-fed butter → organic ghee (lower in lactose and casein, higher smoke point) Coarsely ground black pepper → freshly ground black pepper (more aroma, often more volatile plant compounds) Organic grass-fed butter → virgin coconut oil (plant-based alternative, heat-stable) 2 thick thumb-sized pieces of turmeric root → 1–2 tbsp organic ground turmeric + 1 tsp finely grated ginger (more practical and easier to dose evenly; the ginger adds a fresh heat)

Allergens

Contains milk components from the butter. For young children and people with a sensitive stomach, use it cautiously because of the pepper and turmeric; during pregnancy, normal kitchen amounts are generally fine – high-dose extracts are a different matter.

Frequently asked questions

What's in fresh turmeric root?

Fresh turmeric mainly contains curcuminoids, essential oils and small amounts of fibre. Levels vary a lot depending on origin and ripeness.

Why add black pepper?

Black pepper brings piperine and intense aromas. Its heat balances the earthy flavour of turmeric, and they're a classic pairing.

What nutrients does butter bring to this recipe?

Butter mainly provides fat, including saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, plus small amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin A.

Does turmeric suit everyone?

Not always. People with a sensitive stomach, gallbladder problems or a tendency to heartburn sometimes react to turmeric and pepper.

Is the black pepper in this ghee suitable for children?

In very small amounts, it can be fine depending on age and what they're used to. For young children, though, the heat is often too intense, so use it sparingly.