Out of Crisco, one case
Vegan Crisco substitute
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Coconut oil
Same amount as the Crisco
The best vegan Crisco substitutes are coconut oil (1:1 ratio) for baking, vegan shortening (1:1 ratio) for identical results, or plant-based margarine (1:1 ratio) for creaming methods. Each provides similar functionality without animal products.
- The tweak —
- Use room temperature coconut oil. If it's too hard, warm slightly to soften, then cool to room temperature.
- Best for —
- vegan baking
One casethe full Crisco card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Crisco |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coconut oilvegan baking | Same amount |
| 2 | Vegan shorteningvegan baking | Same amount |
| 3 | Plant-based margarinevegan baking | Same amount |
| 4 | Palm oil shorteningvegan baking | Same amount |
| 5 | Applesaucevegan baking | 1 part for every 2 parts½ cup applesauce for 1 cup Crisco |
Coconut oil
slight coconut flavor
Coconut oil is the most popular vegan substitute for Crisco. It's solid at room temperature and works well in most baking recipes. It has a slight coconut flavor that works well in many recipes.
- Best for
- vegan baking, pie crusts, cookies, cakes, muffins
- Texture
- tender, moist
- Prep
- Use room temperature coconut oil. If it's too hard, warm slightly to soften, then cool to room temperature.
Solid at room temperature, works well in most vegan baking.
Vegan shortening
neutral taste · similar to Crisco
Vegan shortening is made from plant-based oils and behaves almost identically to Crisco. It's solid at room temperature and has neutral flavor, making it the most direct vegan substitute.
- Best for
- vegan baking, pie crusts, cookies, cakes, frosting
- Prep
- Use exactly like Crisco - room temperature for creaming methods, cold for pie crusts.
Most similar to Crisco in texture and behavior.
Plant-based margarine
neutral to slightly buttery
Plant-based margarine works well as a vegan Crisco substitute. Choose stick margarine for baking, as tub varieties have too much water. It has similar fat content and melting properties.
- Best for
- vegan baking, cookies, cakes, muffins, frosting
- Texture
- tender, moist
- Prep
- Use room temperature stick margarine. Avoid tub varieties which have too much water.
Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties.
Palm oil shortening
neutral taste · tender, flaky
Palm oil shortening is solid at room temperature and works well in vegan baking. It has neutral flavor and creates tender, flaky results similar to Crisco.
- Best for
- vegan baking, pie crusts, cookies, cakes
- Prep
- Use room temperature palm oil shortening. For pie crusts, use cold shortening and work quickly.
Solid at room temperature, similar to Crisco.
Applesauce
slight apple flavor
Applesauce is a low-fat, low-calorie vegan substitute for Crisco. It adds moisture and natural sweetness to baked goods. Use unsweetened applesauce for best results.
- Best for
- vegan baking, cakes, muffins, quick breads, brownies
- Texture
- moist, tender
- Prep
- Use unsweetened applesauce. Reduce sugar in recipe by ¼ cup per cup of applesauce used.
Low-fat option that adds moisture and sweetness.
How it behaves in this recipe
Vegan Crisco substitutes must be completely plant-based while maintaining similar functionality. Coconut oil, vegan shortening, and plant-based margarine are the most popular options, each with their own characteristics and best uses.
Tips for substituting Crisco
10 tips- Coconut oil works best in recipes where a slight coconut flavor is acceptable
- Vegan shortening is the most direct substitute with identical properties to Crisco
- Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties which have too much water
- Palm oil shortening works well but consider the environmental impact
- Applesauce reduces fat and calories but may make baked goods denser
- For creaming methods, use room temperature vegan shortening or margarine
- For pie crusts, use cold vegan shortening and work quickly
- Test your substitution in a small batch before making large quantities
- Consider the flavor profile of your recipe when choosing a vegan substitute
- Some vegan substitutes may require slight adjustments in baking time or temperature
Notes on Crisco
- For most vegan baking, use coconut oil or vegan shortening
- For creaming methods, use room temperature vegan shortening or margarine
- For pie crusts, use cold coconut oil or vegan shortening
- For low-fat options, use applesauce
- For neutral flavor, use vegan shortening or palm oil shortening
- For rich flavor, use plant-based margarine
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best vegan substitute for Crisco?
Coconut oil is the most popular vegan substitute for Crisco, followed by vegan shortening. Coconut oil works well in most recipes and has a slight coconut flavor. Vegan shortening behaves almost identically to Crisco.
Can I use coconut oil instead of Crisco in vegan baking?
Yes, coconut oil works excellently as a vegan Crisco substitute. Use a 1:1 ratio and room temperature coconut oil. The baked goods will have a slight coconut flavor and be tender and moist.
Is there a vegan shortening that works like Crisco?
Yes, there are several vegan shortenings available that work almost identically to Crisco. They're made from plant-based oils and have similar texture and melting properties. Use them exactly like Crisco.
Can I use plant-based margarine instead of Crisco?
Yes, plant-based margarine can be used instead of Crisco in vegan baking. Choose stick margarine for baking, as tub varieties have too much water. Use a 1:1 ratio.
How do I make vegan pie crust without Crisco?
Use cold coconut oil or cold vegan shortening for vegan pie crust. Follow the same techniques as with Crisco - cut the fat into flour until pea-sized pieces form, add ice water gradually, and work quickly to maintain flakiness.