Suet substitutes
Suet substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Vegetable shortening
Same amount as the suet
Solid vegetable fat with similar texture and melting properties. Best for traditional British recipes like suet pudding.
The best substitutes for suet are vegetable shortening, lard, or butter, depending on the recipe and dietary preferences.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- pastries
Updated 16 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of suet | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vegetable shorteningpastries | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Lardpastries | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Butterpastries | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Coconut oilvegan recipes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Beef tallowtraditional cooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Palm oilbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
Vegetable shortening
similar taste and texture
Solid vegetable fat with similar texture and melting properties. Best for traditional British recipes like suet pudding.
- Best for
- pastries, puddings, dumplings, traditional British dishes
Neutral flavor and similar melting point. Choose non-hydrogenated varieties when possible.
Lard
similar taste and texture
Rendered pork fat with similar solid texture and high melting point. Good for traditional cooking methods.
- Best for
- pastries, dumplings, traditional cooking, baking
Neutral flavor that won't interfere with other ingredients. Solid at room temperature.
Butter
different taste and texture
Rich dairy fat that works well in many suet applications, especially in baking and pastry making.
- Best for
- pastries, baking, dumplings, sweet dishes
Lower melting point than suet, so may affect texture in some recipes. Contains dairy.
Coconut oil
different taste, similar texture
Solid tropical oil with similar texture to suet. Good for vegan and vegetarian recipes.
- Best for
- vegan recipes, pastries, dumplings, baking
Has a coconut flavor that may not work in all recipes. Solid at room temperature.
Beef tallow
similar taste and texture
Rendered beef fat that's very similar to suet. Closest substitute in terms of origin and properties.
- Best for
- traditional cooking, pastries, dumplings, roasting
Very similar to suet as it comes from the same animal. May be harder to find than other substitutes.
Palm oil
similar taste and texture
Semi-solid tropical oil with similar texture and melting properties to suet.
- Best for
- baking, pastries, traditional cooking, dumplings
Neutral flavor and solid texture. Good for maintaining the traditional texture of suet-based dishes.
Questions
4 questionsCan I use vegetable shortening instead of suet?
Yes, vegetable shortening is the most common substitute for suet. It has similar texture and melting properties, though the flavor will be different.
What's the difference between suet and lard?
Suet is the hard fat around animal kidneys, while lard is rendered pork fat. Suet has a higher melting point and is more traditional in British cooking.
Can I make suet pudding without suet?
Yes, you can make suet pudding with vegetable shortening or lard, though the texture may be slightly different. The traditional flaky texture comes from suet's unique properties.
Is suet the same as beef tallow?
Suet is the raw fat around kidneys, while beef tallow is rendered suet. They're very similar but tallow is processed and may have a slightly different texture.
Tips for substituting suet
7 tips- Suet has a high melting point, which helps create flaky pastries and maintains structure in steamed puddings
- Traditionally, suet is grated or chopped finely before being mixed into dough or batter
- Suet is essential for traditional British dishes like Christmas pudding, suet pudding, and dumplings
- Store suet in the refrigerator and use within a few days, or freeze for longer storage
- Suet creates a unique texture in steamed puddings that's difficult to replicate with other fats
- When making dumplings, suet helps create light, fluffy texture that rises during cooking
- Suet can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, from mincemeat to steak and kidney pudding