Is Crisco Lard Vegetarian? Debunking the Common Confusion

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

Crisco, a household name for baking, was created in 1911 as a vegetable-based alternative to expensive animal fats. This origin is key to understanding if Crisco is lard, or if Crisco lard is vegetarian. It's a common misconception, but Crisco is, in fact, an entirely plant-based product, unlike animal-derived lard.

Quick Summary

Crisco is an all-vegetable shortening and is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, as it contains no animal fat or lard. Its primary ingredients are plant-based oils like soybean and palm oil.

Key Points

Crisco is not lard: Crisco is a vegetable shortening made from plant oils, whereas lard is rendered animal fat.
Crisco is vegetarian and vegan: The all-vegetable formulation contains no animal products or dairy, making it suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Primary ingredients are plant-based: Crisco is made from soybean oil, palm oil, and fully hydrogenated palm oil.
Ethical concerns for some vegans: Ingredients like palm oil and mono and diglycerides may cause ethical concerns for stricter vegans due to sourcing issues.
Excellent substitute for baking: Crisco is often used as a substitute for butter or lard in recipes to create flaky pastries and tender baked goods.
High smoke point for frying: Its high smoke point makes Crisco a good choice for frying foods, yielding crispy results.

Understanding the Fundamental Difference: Crisco vs. Lard

To answer the question, "Is Crisco lard vegetarian?" one must first understand that Crisco is not lard. Lard is, by definition, rendered pig fat and is therefore never vegetarian. Crisco, on the other hand, was specifically developed as an alternative to animal fat and has always been made from plant-based ingredients.

What is Crisco made of?

Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening is made from a blend of hydrogenated vegetable oils. The standard ingredients include:

Soybean Oil
Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Palm Oil
Mono and Diglycerides (plant-derived emulsifiers)
TBHQ and Citric Acid (antioxidants)

These ingredients, which contain no animal products, make Crisco suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets. The hydrogenation process turns liquid vegetable oils into a solid fat at room temperature, giving it a texture similar to traditional lard, but with a different source.

Is Crisco vegan-friendly?

While Crisco is vegetarian, the answer for strict vegans is slightly more nuanced due to certain ingredients and manufacturing practices. The main points of consideration for vegans include:

Mono and Diglycerides: While Crisco states its emulsifiers are plant-based, some vegans are cautious about these ingredients as they can, in some products, be animal-derived.
Palm Oil: The sourcing of palm oil is a significant ethical issue for some vegans due to its links with deforestation and animal habitat destruction. Crisco's ingredient list includes palm oil, which may be a concern for those focused on sustainability.

For most vegetarians, Crisco is a perfectly acceptable cooking fat. For vegans, it depends on their level of strictness regarding sourcing and processing.

Comparison: Crisco vs. Lard


Feature	Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening	Lard (Rendered Pig Fat)
Source	100% plant-based (soybean oil, palm oil)	Animal-based (rendered pig fat)
Suitability for Vegetarians	Yes, it is explicitly vegetarian and vegan-friendly.	No, it is not suitable for vegetarians.
Primary Function	Vegetable shortening, used for baking and frying.	Animal shortening, used in baking and frying.
Flavor Profile	Neutral flavor, does not impart a distinct taste.	Distinct savory pork flavor.
Health Considerations	Contains saturated fats, though modern formulations are trans fat-free per serving.	High in monounsaturated fats, but also contains saturated fat.

Vegetarian and Vegan Alternatives to Crisco and Lard

If you're seeking a less processed option or an alternative for ethical reasons, a number of plant-based fats can replace Crisco or lard in cooking and baking. These alternatives offer various textures and flavors.

Coconut Oil: A solid fat at room temperature with a high smoke point, making it excellent for frying and baking. It has a distinct flavor that may not be suitable for all recipes.
Vegan Butter: Many brands of vegan butter are formulated to mimic the taste and texture of dairy butter. They work well in most recipes requiring a solid fat, though they have a higher water content than Crisco.
Refined Palm Oil: Often used in commercial products, refined palm oil is flavorless and a solid fat. Like Crisco, it shares the same ethical concerns for some vegans regarding sourcing and sustainability.
Mashed Avocado: For certain applications, like baking some breads or cookies, mashed avocado can serve as a healthier, whole-food substitute.

This list demonstrates that while Crisco is a viable vegetarian option, there are many choices available depending on your specific dietary and ethical preferences. For those with concerns about Crisco's processing or ingredients, these alternatives offer excellent flexibility.

Conclusion

In summary, the key takeaway is that Crisco is not lard. Lard is an animal product derived from rendered pig fat, making it unsuitable for vegetarians. Crisco is a vegetable shortening, made from plant-based oils, and contains no animal products. This makes it a vegetarian-friendly option for baking and frying. While the use of certain ingredients like palm oil raises ethical questions for some in the vegan community, Crisco's core formulation is entirely plant-based. For anyone adhering to a vegetarian diet, Crisco remains a reliable and accessible fat for the kitchen.

Crisco Canada confirms their product is plant-based and suitable for vegetarian and vegan bakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Crisco is not made from animal fat. It is an all-vegetable shortening made from plant-based oils like soybean and palm oil.

The main difference is their source. Crisco is vegetable-based, while lard is animal-based, specifically rendered pig fat.

Yes, Crisco is suitable for a vegetarian diet because it contains no animal products. It is explicitly advertised as being plant-based.

Yes, Crisco is generally considered vegan-friendly, though some strict vegans have ethical concerns about the use of palm oil and the processing of other ingredients.

Good alternatives include coconut oil, vegan butter, and mashed avocado, depending on the specific recipe and desired flavor.

Crisco has a neutral flavor, meaning it will not add a distinct taste to your baked goods or fried foods, unlike butter or lard.

Yes, the butter-flavored versions of Crisco are also vegetarian. The flavor is artificial and does not come from real butter or dairy products.