Ingredient Comparison
Lard
Shortening
Lard vs Shortening: differences, swaps, and listed uses
Compare the curated descriptions, diet tags, substitute options, and listed recipe uses before choosing one.
At a glance
Lard is listed for biscuits, deep frying, frying and high-heat frying. Shortening is listed for biscuits, pie crust and tamales.
Rendered pig fat used in traditional pastry, tamales, refried beans, and frying. Creates exceptionally flaky pie crusts.
4 substitute options available
A solid plant-based fat (usually hydrogenated oil) used in pie crusts, cookies, and frosting for flakiness and stability.
4 substitute options available
Key Differences
| Attribute | Lard | Shortening |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fats & Oils | Fats & Oils |
| Listed uses | biscuits, deep frying, frying and high-heat frying | biscuits, pie crust and tamales |
| Watch out for | dishes requiring specifically beefy flavor, dishes where bacon flavor is essential, vegan recipes and vegan/dairy-free diets | recipe-specific texture and flavor changes |
| Substitutes | 4 | 4 |
| Diet tags |
Can you substitute Lard and Shortening?
Lard and Shortening are both in Fats & Oils, so the data may show overlapping recipe uses. The listed use cases are Lard for biscuits, deep frying, frying and high-heat frying and Shortening for biscuits, pie crust and tamales.
Shared diet signals: dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo and vegan.
Diet tags
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
Listed use cases
Lard is listed for…
✅ Listed for
⚠️ Not ideal for
Shortening is listed for…
✅ Listed for
Lard vs Shortening FAQs
What is the main difference between Lard and Shortening?
Lard is described as: Rendered pig fat used in traditional pastry, tamales, refried beans, and frying. Creates exceptionally flaky pie crusts. Shortening is described as: A solid plant-based fat (usually hydrogenated oil) used in pie crusts, cookies, and frosting for flakiness and stability. The curated use notes point to biscuits, deep frying, frying and high-heat frying for Lard and biscuits, pie crust and tamales for Shortening.
When do the notes point toward Lard instead of Shortening?
The curated notes list Lard for biscuits, deep frying, frying and high-heat frying. They list Shortening for biscuits, pie crust and tamales.
Can Lard and Shortening substitute for each other?
Sometimes. They are both in Fats & Oils, but check flavor, texture, and ratio before swapping them directly.
Do Lard and Shortening share diet tags?
Their substitute options share these diet tags in the data: dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo and vegan. Always check the specific substitute before using it for allergies or strict diets.