Butter vs Ghee
Both sides computed from the same table, at the serving each is actually eaten in.
Per 100 g, ghee is heavier — 900 kcal against 725 kcal for butter, about 24% more. Per real serving the picture changes: 1 teaspoon of butter is 36 kcal, while 1 teaspoon of ghee is 45 kcal, because the portions are not the same size. On protein, butter wins with 0.6 g per 100 g.
Side by side
| Butter | Ghee | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving assumed | 1 teaspoon · 5 g | 1 teaspoon · 5 g |
| Calories per serving | 36 | 45 |
| Calories per 100 g | 725 | 900 |
| Protein per 100 g | 0.6 g | 0.0 g |
| Carbs per 100 g | 0.5 g | 0.0 g |
| Fat per 100 g | 80.0 g | 100.0 g |
| Fibre per 100 g | 0.0 g | 0.0 g |
| Walking to burn one serving | 8 min | 10 min |
How to read this
Per-100 g comparisons flatter whatever is eaten in small portions. Ghee is denser per gram, but people do not eat by the gram — butter arrives as 1 teaspoon and ghee as 1 teaspoon, and that is where the real difference shows up.
Butter carries more protein, which matters more than the calorie gap if you are trying to stay full. Both figures assume home cooking with a measured amount of oil; a restaurant plate of either can run 30 to 60% higher.
Nutrient values are averages for the stated preparation, based on the Indian Food Composition Tables 2017 (ICMR–NIN) and standard recipe analysis. Energy is reconciled against the macronutrients with Atwater factors on every build. General information only — not medical or nutrition advice. Home-cooked Indian food varies enormously with oil, ghee and portion size; every value here is an average for a stated serving, with the assumption shown.