Crisco substitute

Best substitute

Butter

Use the same amount as the crisco you are replacing

Best for baking

Different taste

The best substitutes for Crisco are butter, lard, coconut oil, or vegetable shortening depending on your dietary preferences and recipe requirements.

Other crisco substitutes

Ranked, with the exact amount to use

2Lard
Different taste
Use the same amount
Animal fat with similar texture and melting properties
What changes
Best for
pie crusts, baking, frying, biscuits
Traditional choice for flaky pastries, not suitable for vegetarians
3Coconut Oil
Different taste
Use the same amount
Solid at room temperature, works well in baking and cooking
What changes
Best for
baking, pie crusts, cookies, vegan recipes
May impart slight coconut flavor, solidifies when cold
4Vegetable Shortening
Close match
Use the same amount
Generic vegetable shortening with similar properties to Crisco
What changes
Best for
baking, pie crusts, cookies, frosting
Very similar to Crisco in texture and melting properties
5Margarine
Close match
Use the same amount
Plant-based spread with similar fat content and melting properties
What changes
Best for
baking, cookies, cakes, frosting
Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties
6Vegan Shortening
Close match
Use the same amount
Plant-based shortening made from palm oil or other vegetable oils
What changes
Best for
baking, pie crusts, cookies, vegan recipes
Check ingredients to ensure it's suitable for your dietary needs

What is Crisco?

Crisco is Vegetable shortening made from hydrogenated vegetable oils, used for baking and frying.

Cooking tips

Crisco is excellent for making flaky pie crusts and biscuits
It has a high smoke point, making it good for frying
The neutral flavor makes it versatile in both sweet and savory recipes
Crisco creates tender, flaky textures in baked goods
It's shelf-stable and doesn't require refrigeration
The shortening helps create light, airy textures in cakes and cookies
It's commonly used in traditional American baking recipes
Crisco works well in creaming method recipes
It's a good choice for making decorative frosting and icings
The shortening helps prevent gluten development in pie crusts

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Crisco and butter?

Crisco is made from hydrogenated vegetable oils and is solid at room temperature, while butter is made from cream and contains water. Crisco creates flakier pastries but butter has better flavor.

Can I use Crisco for frying?

Yes, Crisco has a high smoke point and works well for frying. It's commonly used for deep-frying and pan-frying in traditional American cooking.

Is Crisco healthier than butter?

Crisco has less saturated fat than butter but may contain trans fats. The healthiest choice depends on the specific product and your dietary needs.

Can I substitute Crisco in all baking recipes?

Crisco can be used in most baking recipes, but it works best in recipes that benefit from its flaky texture, like pie crusts, biscuits, and some cookies.

Related substitutes

More fats substitutes

Crisco substitute

Other crisco substitutes

2Lard

3Coconut Oil

4Vegetable Shortening

5Margarine

6Vegan Shortening