Lard has been used in traditional cooking for a long time, but it has become much more popular since it has been brought back into style. Homesteaders have made soap using lard, and a new generation of chefs is exploring ways to use this versatile fat. You can bake and fry with lard for various dishes, such as confit, fried chicken, and traditional biscuits. You can also use lard for homesteader soap-making.
Lard Nutrition Facts
Lard is an excellent choice for baking, sautéing, and frying, and it is perfect for KETO and homesteader cooking. Because it has a high melting point, it can be used for baking and marinades, and it also works well in marinades and roasting. This fat is sourced from small family farms in the United States and is non-hydrogenated, and the melting point makes it perfect for frying and making traditional biscuits.
What is Lard?
Lard is a semi-soft, white fat found in the pig’s fattest parts. When hydrogenated vegetable shortening was produced in the early twentieth century, lard, which had been used as a cooking fat for generations, fell out of favor. Hydrogenated fats, often known as trans fats, are now thought to raise the risk of heart disease. Lard has resurfaced as a popular cooking fat due to its lack of trans fats and other health benefits.
What is Lard Made of?
Lard is composed entirely of pork fat, and rendering is separating it from the fatty components of a pig. Pork belly, pork buttocks, and pork shoulder will produce the most lard. Around room temperature, the separated fat is solid and opaque, but at 95 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, it transforms into a clear liquid depending on its purity.
What is the Best Organic Lard for Cooking?
Here is some best organic lards for cooking:
EPIC Organic Pork Fat, Keto Friendly
Features:
- a staple cooking fat from organic pork with endless limitations, just like your culinary imagination
- a go-to, easy to grab ingredient to keep in your pantry
- use in recipes such as roasted veggies, fried chicken, and tamales.
- Gluten-Free, Keto-Friendly, Whole30 approved, Paleo-friendly
- 11oz jar
Fatworks Certified Organic Pork Lard
Features:
Features:Fatworks, Pasture Raised Leaf Lard
Features:
- It is made from 100% Pasture Raised Non-GMO Fed pigs sourced from Small Family Farms and crafted from the company that brought back fat—never hydrogenated, deodorized, or bleached. No BHT was used. Pigs are Organically Certified by USDA. Free-range, antibiotic-free, with no added hormones. Inhumanely raised CAFO pork is never used.
Fatworks, USDA Cage-Free Duck Fat
Features:
- No Preservatives, Antibiotic Free, Hormone Free Duck Fat from the recognized leaders in Premium animal fats and cooking oils. USDA approved.
- Adding Duck Fat’s rich flavor is the quickest way to add gourmet to your dishes. Perfect as a healthy alternative to industrialized seed oils or so-called “vegetable oils.”
- Fatworks brought back fat by sourcing from U.S. Family Farms. Since then, there has been a slew of “copy fats,” but true fat lovers know that no company matches the quality and passion of Fatworks. Our Duck Fat was the first Duck Fat specifically crafted for chefs and cooks who embrace fat-centric lifestyles like KETO, PALEO, Carnivore, GAPS, WAPS, AIP. Fatworks Duck Fat is Whole30 APPROVED. Note not just “Whole 30 friendly” but Whole30 approved!
- Fatworks Duck Fat is crafted for fat lovers who value quality above all. This product is sourced exclusively from small U.S. farms.
- Not only is Duck Fat good for you, it simply tastes great. Try using Duck Fat in simple dishes like roasted veggies, searing meat, delicious marinates, confit-style dishes, duck fat fries, popcorn, savory pies, or whip and serve on a “quacker” with a bit of sea salt.
Goya Manteca Refined Lard
Features:
The most popular form of lard for cooking is made from pigs raised organically on small family farms. It’s the ideal substitute for seed-based lard, and it has a high smoke point. It can also be used for sautéing and baking. Since lard won’t oxidize when cooked at high temperatures, it can even be used in candles. Because of its moisturizing properties, it is also a good choice for skincare products.
How to Use Lard?
Lard can be used for roasting, grilling, sautéing, frying, and baking, much like any other culinary fat. It can be used in baking recipes in its solid form, precisely like butter or shortening. Use a small amount to butter a pan, or pour it into a cast-iron skillet by the cupful for deep frying. It’s even good smeared on toast. Lard can be used to cook a wide range of foods, but here are a few of the more typical ones:
Fried Chicken
Because of its high smoke point, lard is great for frying chicken.
Tamales
For the most incredible texture, tamales are usually cooked with whipped lard.
Pie crust
Lard, according to many bakers, provides the flakiest pie crust.
Biscuits
For flaky, defined layers in your biscuits, use lard.
Donuts
Deep-fried lard donuts are crisp on the outside and mushy on the inside.
Is Lard Bad for you?
Lard isn’t always more harmful than other cooking fats when used in moderation. In reality, there are numerous advantages to cooking with lard, and more chefs are opting for it over other standard cooking oils or shortening.
- Pure lard has no pork flavor and a neutral taste.
- Lard has no trans fats, making it a healthier alternative to hydrogenated fats.
- Compared to butter, lard has less saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Lard, like olive oil, is high in healthful monounsaturated fats.
- It has a high smoke point, so it’s perfect for frying.
Conclusion
It’s essential to choose organic lard for cooking. Despite its high cholesterol content, it’s not as unhealthy as butter or olive oil. Moreover, it’s easier to store than other vegetable oils and is an excellent alternative to butter and olive oil. While it may be an expensive alternative, lard is an excellent substitute for many other types of fats in your diet. The best way to use lard is to prepare savory dishes.
