Hi Emma, 

Ghee can be stored in the same manner as most most cooking oils. Although ghee is made from butter, the process of clarifying it removes extra water and milk solids, allowing for much longer storage even at room temperature.

Unfortunately we do not have research on the length of time that ghee specifically will keep under different storage conditions. However, you can follow the same basic principles that apply to other fats and oils. 

When purchased commercially, cooking oils and fats are typically sealed in containers that will allow them to keep at room temperature for many months. Once the container is opened, oxygen starts to degrade the oils and turn them rancid. Opened containers of cooking oil will keep good quality for 1-3 months at room temperature.

To keep oils and fats from going rancid during longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer and thaw before use. Anecdotally, I've heard that ghee freezes well for up to a year, but I have not tried it myself or seen any studies on it. 

Thanks for using Ask Extension!

Jared

One more thing, Emma. I should have also mentioned that there are no safe instructions for canning ghee, butter, or cooking oils at home. Despite what you might see online from canning interest groups, there are no established processing times for canning ghee at home in a boiling water canner or a pressure canner. Consuming improperly canned low acid foods is a leading cause of botulism poisoning. Stick with refrigeration or freezing for safe long term storage of ghee an other cooking oils.