5 Best Pork Fat Substitutes: What Can Be Used In Cooking Recipes Instead Of Pork Fat?

Pork fat is one of the popular kinds of fat available on the market.

That means if you are looking for a substitute for pork fat, there are numerous options for you to choose from.

Let’s accompany us and figure out what other ingredients can work as great pork fat alternatives in your next recipes.

What is pork fat?

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Pork fat is the fat that is taken from any cut of the hog.

Normally, pork fat is found the most in the fatback cut, pork belly, pork shoulder, or from organs like kidneys.

Pure pork fat is white and has a solid texture.

Rendered pork fat is called pork lard, which has a pale milky color, soft but solid texture at room temperature, and has a longer shelf life.

Pork fat can be used in different ways in cooking.

It can act as a cooking ingredient to add flavor, saltiness, and texture to many dishes from soups, stews, sausages, baked beans, or chowder.

Another use of pork lard is as a cooking oil that literally has a higher smoke point, making it ideal for deep-frying recipes.

Fresh pork fat is often found in local butchers rather than in a grocery store or supermarket.

Pork lard can be made at home by frying fresh pork fat until it all renders.

Otherwise, you can opt for the store-bought pork lard which is often contained in glass jars or plastic boxes.

Can you substitute pork fat in cooking recipes?

As already mentioned, it is not hard to look for a substitute for pork fat.

Thanks to the variety of cooking oil and fat on the market, you have many options when it comes to replacing pork fat in any cooking recipe, from other fat substitutes from other animals to a plant-based ingredient.

What can you substitute for pork fat?

In this section, we are going to go into details each ingredient that can greatly substitute for pork fat in your next dish:

1. Beef fat/tallow

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Beef fat is a similar ingredient to pork fat, but it comes from the cow instead.

Beef fat can also come in two forms: fresh and rendered (or known as beef tallow).

Beef fat or beef tallow can work in any recipe that calls for pork fat or pork lard, such as deep-frying, baking, or stewing.

2. Olive oil

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Another pork fat substitute option is olive oil.

This cooking oil is native to Mediterranean cuisine, but now it is available in any country in the world.

Olive oil is proven to be higher in healthy fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, along with a certain amount of vitamin E, K, and antioxidants.

Therefore, it is beneficial to our health in many ways, especially improving skin health and reducing the risk of heart disease.

High-quality virgin olive oil has a high smoke point, making it great for both cooking methods with high or low temperatures.

It can be used directly in many salad recipes.

However, olive oil, especially the extra virgin one, is relatively expensive.

3. Vegetable oil

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Vegetable oil can also be used as a great substitute for pork fat.

There are different kinds of vegetable oil on the market, such as sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or soybean oil to name a few.

These kinds of oil can come at different flavors and prices, so you have many options to choose from.

Vegetable oil has a lower smoke point compared to pork fat, so it is more suitable for stir-frying recipes or to baste the surface of the meat in baking dishes.

4. Vegetable shortening

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Another vegan substitute for pork fat is vegetable shortening.

This ingredient has a butter-like texture, but it is completely vegetarian.

Vegetable shortening is often bought from a grocery store or supermarket rather than being made at home because it requires specialized equipment.

It is typically used to add a rich flavor and texture to cooking recipes.

5. Butter

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Our last suggestion to substitute for pork fat is butter.

Butter is one of the staples in many Western and American cuisines.

However, it is available in any grocery store or supermarket throughout the world.

Butter is a dairy product that is perfect for baking recipes or used to marinate, make sauces, and as a cooking ingredient to add a buttery flavor and texture to any dish.

The bottom line

Pork fat is a staple in the kitchen.

Different forms of pork fat can work in specific recipes, such as cooking or baking.

However, chances are sometimes, you are unable to find this ingredient in your local grocery store and supermarket, but we got you covered.

With the aforementioned suggestions for the best pork fat substitutes, such as beef fat, beef tallow, or a variety of vegan options, you will never have to worry about running out of pork fat anymore.