Ingredient Comparison
🫙
Lard
vs
🫙
Shortening
Lard vs Shortening
Both are common in the kitchen, but they behave differently. Here's how to choose between them for your next recipe.
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The short answer
Use Lard when you need it for biscuits, deep frying, frying. Use Shortening when you need it for biscuits, pie crust, tamales.
🫙
LardFats & Oils
Rendered pig fat used in traditional pastry, tamales, refried beans, and frying. Creates exceptionally flaky pie crusts.
4 substitutes available
🫙
ShorteningFats & Oils
A solid plant-based fat (usually hydrogenated oil) used in pie crusts, cookies, and frosting for flakiness and stability.
4 substitutes available
Key Differences
| Attribute | Lard | Shortening |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fats & Oils | Fats & Oils |
| Substitutes | 4 | 4 |
| Diet Options |
Diet Compatibility
Substitutes
🫙 Lard Substitutes
- Butter1:1
- Shortening1:1
- Coconut Oil1:1
- Vegetable Oil7/8 cup per 1 cup lard
🫙 Shortening Substitutes
- Butter1:1
- Coconut Oil1:1
- Lard1:1
- Vegetable Oil7/8 cup per 1 cup shortening
Which Should I Use?
Use Lard when…
✅ Best for
biscuitsdeep fryingfryinghigh-heat fryingpastry makingpie crustrefried beansroastingsautéingsearingtamales
⚠️ Not ideal for
dishes requiring specifically beefy flavordishes where bacon flavor is essentialvegan recipesvegan/dairy-free diets
Use Shortening when…
✅ Best for
biscuitspie crusttamales