Tag: Baking with lard

Historically, lard was a more common cooking fat than vegetable oil until the early 20th century. Discover how to substitute lard for oil to achieve flakier baked goods and crispier fried foods while honoring traditional techniques.

According to research conducted by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a single tablespoon of lard from pasture-raised pigs can contain up to 1,100 IU of Vitamin D, making it a surprisingly nutrient-dense cooking fat. Selecting the healthiest lard to buy involves looking beyond the standard grocery store block and considering the source, rendering process, and type of fat.

In a 2018 report, researchers who analyzed over 1,000 raw foods ranked pork fat as the eighth most nutritious food, challenging the common perception that all animal fats are unhealthy. These surprising findings reveal that the benefits of pork lard extend beyond its culinary uses, offering nutritional advantages that modern diets often overlook.

According to cooking experts, lard is simply rendered pork fat. While the raw, unrendered adipose tissue is called pork fat, the pure, clean, and versatile cooking fat that results from heating it is called lard. Understanding this key distinction is the first step toward mastering the use of this versatile ingredient in your kitchen.

A single tablespoon of lard contains approximately 115 calories, with its entire energy content derived from fat. While historically a staple cooking fat, its role in a modern diet is often misunderstood, with many asking, 'How many calories are in a spoonful of lard?'. This article explores the full nutritional picture, its culinary uses, and how it fits into a balanced dietary approach.