Out of Lard, one case
Vegetarian lard substitutes
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Coconut oil
Same amount as the lard
The best vegetarian lard substitutes are coconut oil, vegetable shortening, and avocado oil. Use 1:1 ratio for most recipes. Coconut oil works best for baking, vegetable shortening for pastries, and avocado oil for high-heat cooking.
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full lard card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of lard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coconut oilbaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Vegetable shorteningpie crusts | Same amount |
| 3 | Avocado oilhigh-heat cooking | Same amount |
| 4 | Palm oilbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Cashew butterwhen you want nutty flavor | Same amount |
Coconut oil
neutral (refined) or coconut (unrefined)
Coconut oil is the most versatile vegetarian lard substitute. It's solid at room temperature, has a high smoke point, and works well in both baking and cooking. Use refined for neutral flavor or unrefined for coconut taste.
- Best for
- baking, pie crusts, pastries, when you want plant-based option, tropical-flavored dishes
- Texture
- similar to lard when solid
Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. It's solid at room temperature like lard, making it good for baking. Unrefined adds coconut flavor that works well in many recipes.
Vegetable shortening
neutral taste · very similar to lard
Vegetable shortening is the closest vegetarian substitute to lard in terms of texture and baking properties. It's 100% fat with no water content, making it good for flaky pastries and pie crusts.
- Best for
- pie crusts, pastries, biscuits, when you want maximum flakiness, easy handling
Shortening creates the flakiest pastries but has a neutral flavor. It's easier to work with than butter because it doesn't melt as quickly. Check labels to ensure it's vegetarian.
Avocado oil
neutral taste · liquid at room temperature
Avocado oil is excellent for high-heat cooking and frying. It has a very high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it good for savory dishes where you don't want coconut flavor.
- Best for
- high-heat cooking, frying, roasting, when you want neutral flavor, healthier option
Avocado oil has a very high smoke point and neutral flavor. It's more expensive than other oils but works well for most cooking methods. It's liquid at room temperature.
Palm oil
neutral taste · solid at room temperature
Palm oil is solid at room temperature and works well as a lard substitute in baking. It has a neutral flavor and similar texture to lard, though it's less common in stores.
- Best for
- baking, when you want solid fat, traditional cooking, when coconut oil isn't available, neutral flavor preference
Palm oil has a neutral flavor and solid texture similar to lard. It's less common in stores but works well in most recipes. Choose sustainably sourced palm oil.
Cashew butter
nutty and rich
Cashew butter works well as a lard substitute in certain recipes, especially those where you want a nutty flavor. It's rich and creamy, though it has a distinct taste.
- Best for
- when you want nutty flavor, creamy textures, sweet recipes, when you want protein, nut-based dishes
- Texture
- creamy
Cashew butter adds a nutty flavor and creamy texture. It's rich and works well in sweet recipes or when you want to add protein to your dish.
How it behaves in this recipe
Lard is an animal product, so vegetarian substitutes must be plant-based. The best vegetarian substitutes work because they provide similar fat content and texture properties, or can be used in the same way to achieve comparable results in cooking and baking.
Tips for substituting lard
6 tips- For baking, use solid fats like coconut oil or vegetable shortening for best results
- For high-heat cooking, use avocado oil or refined coconut oil
- Always check labels to ensure your chosen fat is vegetarian
- Consider the flavor profile of your dish when choosing a substitute
- For flaky pastries, use vegetable shortening or very cold coconut oil
- For frying, use oils with high smoke points like avocado oil or refined coconut oil
Notes on lard
- Use a combination of different vegetarian fats for optimal results
- Try using nut butters for rich, creamy textures in certain recipes
- Consider using aquafaba (chickpea water) for some baking applications
- Use plant-based butter alternatives for recipes that specifically call for butter
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best vegetarian substitute for lard?
Coconut oil is the best vegetarian substitute for lard because it's solid at room temperature, has a high smoke point, and works well in both baking and cooking. Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor.
Can I use vegetable shortening instead of lard?
Yes, vegetable shortening is an excellent vegetarian substitute for lard. It's 100% fat with no water content, making it good for flaky pastries and pie crusts. Check labels to ensure it's vegetarian.
Is coconut oil a good lard substitute?
Yes, coconut oil is an excellent vegetarian lard substitute. It's solid at room temperature like lard, has a high smoke point, and works well in both baking and cooking. Use refined for neutral flavor.
Can I use avocado oil instead of lard?
Yes, avocado oil works well as a vegetarian lard substitute for high-heat cooking and frying. It has a very high smoke point and neutral flavor, though it's liquid at room temperature.
How do I make vegetarian pastries without lard?
To make vegetarian pastries without lard, use vegetable shortening or very cold coconut oil. Keep ingredients cold, work quickly, and use techniques like fraisage to create flaky layers.