If you are clarifying butter on the stovetop, then stop! Why make clarifying butter a long and tedious task when you can make clarified butter in microwave within 10 minutes instead? But to that, you must know how to clarify butter in the microwave first.
Look:
I love cooking, especially seafood, and I am always trying to find a way to enhance the taste of crabs. So, you can understand how happy I was when I learned that clarified butter makes seafood taste much better.
However, when I tried to make clarified butter on the stovetop, all of my excitement got lost. It was messy, complex, and time-consuming.
I told myself that you could do anything in the microwave these days, right? Then let’s clarify butter in the microwave as well.
After some research and 11 butter sticks later, I found out the best way to clarify butter in the microwave. And today, I will share my secret with you.
So, what are you waiting for?
Can you clarify butter in the microwave?
Yes, you can clarify butter in the microwave. Microwaving butter to clarify it is the easiest way to do it.
Butters clarifies at 260 °F. Even if you have a 700 watts microwave, you are cooking at around 350 °F. And if you use 100% power setting, you will be able to heat the butter to 260 °F quickly.
However, if you have a microwave with a turntable, it is best to turn it off or remove it before the process. The butter clarification process separates the butter into 3 layers. And the turntable feature can mix the layers and ruin the process.
How do you clarify butter in the microwave?
To clarify butter in the microwave:
- Cut the butter stick (or sticks) into even pieces.
- Place the butter in a tall microwave-safe glass container.
- Microwave it on 100% setting till the butter separates into 3 layers.
- Turn off the microwave and let the container sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Take it out of the microwave, but do not stir it.
- Remove the milk foam layer from the top.
- Now strain the middle and bottom layers using cheesecloth fabric to catch any leftover milk solids.
The process looks daunting, but if I can do it, so can you.
My secret to quickly clarifying butter in the microwave is simple. Do not stir!
During the butter clarifying process, the unsalted butter separates into three layers. The bottom-most layer, white in color, is the clarified butter.
Alternatively, if you do not have cheesecloth fabric to strain the clarified butter’s leftover milk solids, you can also use your spoon and coffee filter.
First, take out the bottom layer with a spoon. Then place it on the coffee filter and wait till it has filtered out the liquid from the clarified butter leaving behind any milk solids. After that, you can store clarified butter in an airtight container.
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Is it safe to clarify butter in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to clarify butter in the microwave as long as you follow the proper recipe. Always keep an eye on the microwave, and just when layers start to form, turn off the microwave.
One of the huge risks when clarifying butter in microwave is the butter boiling and overflowing in the microwave. I always recommend clarifying butter in a big and tall container. Because, when the butter increases in its volume, it will not spill out.
Also, using a glass container is mandatory here as glass containers allow you to see the layers easily, and there would be fewer chances of butter overspilling.
How long does it take to clarify butter in the microwave?
The length of time it takes to microwave clarified butter depends on microwave wattage and the amount of butter you are clarifying. On average, 4 sticks or 2 cups of butter take 2 minutes to clarify in the microwave on 100% power.
For instance, if you have decided to clarify 3 cups of butter, it can take anywhere from 2 minutes and 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Similarly, if the amount of butter is less than 2 cups, then it will clarify faster.
This length of time does not include the prep and the resting time. In total, the whole process takes around 10 minutes to complete.
How do you know when butter is done clarifying in the microwave?
When the butter has clarified in the microwave, the most obvious sign would be the separate layers. During the butter clarification process, the unsalted butter separates into 3 layers. So, when you see the layers, it is time to turn off the microwave.
Due to different butter consistency, the time to clarify it also varies. But as it takes only two minutes, you can keep an eye on the microwave.
When the butter has completely melted and has started forming layers, it is time to turn off the microwave. It will turn into brown butter if you heat the butter anymore.
Tips to Clarify Butter in the Microwave
Clarifying butter in microwave involves several steps. And even if you miss one step, the butter would not explain.
The following tips will help you clarify butter ideally.
- When clarifying the butter, only use a microwave-safe glass container. The transparency of the glass will allow you to see the layers of butter during the clarification process.
- Chop the butter into equal pieces. Smaller pieces of diced butter are easier and faster to melt than entire sticks of butter.
- When the layers have started to form in the butter, turn off the microwave. Any heat exposure after this point will turn it into brown butter.
- Do not stir the diced butter while it is clarifying. Let it rest and separate.
- Cheesecloth is the best way to separate clarified butter.
- If you do not have a cheesecloth, spoon out the clarified butter first and then strain it using a coffee filter.
You May Also Read: How To Melt Chocolate Chips In The Microwave With Butter
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make clarified butter with salted butter?
Yes, you can make clarified butter with salted butter. However, the end product would also be salty. If you want salt-free clarified butter, it is best to use unsalted butter.
Are clarified butter and melted butter the same?
No, clarified butter and salted butter are not the same.
To understand the difference between clarified butter and melted butter, you need to know what butter is. Whole butter consists of; milk, milk solids, water, and butter fast.
The butter clarification process separates the butterfat from the rest of the whole butter components. And at the end, the clarified butter only has butterfat.
Are clarified butter and ghee the same thing?
Technically, both clarified butter and ghee are almost the same. Both of these products consist of only butterfat. And both of them are made by removing the water and milk solids from butter.
However, ghee is created by heating butter for a little bit longer. And due to this difference, ghee has a slightly deeper and richer taste.
Can I substitute ghee for clarified butter?
Yes, you can substitute ghee for clarified butter and vice versa. As both of these products consist of butterfat, they act similarly in recipes.
How to clarify butter quickly?
Clarifying butter is, in nature, a long process. You have to let the butter heat up and separate. Only then can you get the clarified butter. With that said, the quickest way to clarify butter is to microwave it.
Butter clarifies in 2 minutes at 100% power in an average wattage microwave. However, do not use the 100% power setting if you have a high-wattage microwave. The higher heat will not quicken the process but just burn the butter altogether.
What is the process of clarifying butter in the microwave?
The process of clarifying butter in the microwave involves heating regular butter in a microwave-safe measuring cup or container until the middle layer of milk solids and water separate from the clear, golden liquid butterfat.
How does making clarified butter in the microwave differ from traditional methods?
Making clarified butter in the microwave is a quicker and more convenient method than traditional stovetop methods, as it only requires a microwave-safe measuring cup or container and a few minutes in the microwave.
How much butter should be used when making microwave clarified butter?
The amount of butter used when making microwave clarified butter can vary depending on personal preference, but a good rule of thumb is to use one cup of butter per measuring cup.
Can the clarified butter obtained from the microwave method be used for Indian cooking?
Yes, the clarified butter obtained from the microwave method can be used for Indian cooking as it is the same product as traditionally made clarified butter.
What are the benefits of storing clarified butter in an airtight container?
Storing clarified butter in an airtight container helps to keep it fresh and prolong its shelf life. It also helps to prevent contamination from air and other substances.
How do you know when the butter is completely melted and ready for clarification in the microwave?
The butter is completely melted and ready for clarification in the microwave when it is fully liquid and can be easily poured from the measuring cup or container.
Can the clarified butter obtained in the microwave be used as a substitute for drawn butter?
Yes, the clarified butter obtained in the microwave can be used as a substitute for drawn butter in recipes that call for it.
Can you clarify butter in the microwave for use in bread dough recipes?
Yes, you can clarify butter in the microwave for use in bread dough recipes. The clarified butter will still provide the same rich flavor and texture to the dough as traditional methods.
Related: How to Defrost Butter in the Microwave?
Final Words
You finally know how to clarify butter in the microwave. But before you leave, remember never to stir the container while clarifying the butter. Any sudden movement can end up mixing the layers and ruin the process.
If you want to cook vegetables or make popcorn, clarify butter and add a different and unique flavor to every dish. So, let’s turn on the microwave and start clarifying the butter.