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Lard

Lard is a cooking fat made by rendering pig fat, usually from the fatty tissue of hogs.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lard is a cooking fat made by rendering pig fat, usually from the fatty tissue of hogs. It has long been used in frying, baking, and pastry making, and is valued for its texture and flavour. The word also has verb senses meaning to cover something with fat or to add unnecessary material.

Definition

Lard is the rendered fat of pigs, especially from the abdominal or internal fat. It is a semi-solid white fat used in food preparation and is distinct from tallow, which comes from cattle or sheep.

Production and types

Lard is made by rendering pork fat, a process that separates the fat from water and impurities. Sources note different grades such as leaf lard, which comes from around the kidneys and is prized for its mild flavour.

Culinary uses

Lard has been used for centuries in cooking, frying, and baking. It is valued in pastry and other baked goods for its texture and its ability to produce flaky results.

Language and usage

In English, lard also functions as a verb. It can mean to insert fat into meat before cooking, to smear with fat, or figuratively to add excessive material to speech or writing.

Key facts

  • Lard is rendered fat from pigs used in cooking.
  • Leaf lard is considered a higher-grade form, taken from the fat around the kidneys.
  • Lard is especially associated with baking and frying because of its texture and performance in pastry.
  • The term can also mean to insert fat into meat before cooking, or to cover something with fat.
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Canadian context

Lard is relevant to Canadian cooking and baking traditions, especially in pastries and savory baked goods, and it remains familiar in food history, farming, and grocery contexts across Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is lard made from?
Lard is made from pig fat, usually rendered from the fatty tissue of hogs.
Is lard the same as tallow?
No. Lard comes from pigs, while tallow is rendered fat from cattle or sheep.
What is leaf lard?
Leaf lard is a high-quality type of lard made from the fat around a pig’s kidneys and loin.
How is lard used in cooking?
It is used for frying, baking, and pastry making, and was historically a common cooking fat.
Does lard have other meanings?
Yes. As a verb, it can mean to stuff meat with fat, smear something with fat, or add unnecessary material to writing or speech.
Is lard still commonly used?
It is less common than in the past, having been partly replaced by vegetable oils and shortening, but it remains used by some cooks and bakers.

References

  1. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/food-and-drink/food-and-cooking/lard
    Supports: Definition of lard as rendered pig fat; multiple senses of the word; notes on quality grades such as leaf lard.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/lard
    Supports: Description of lard as a soft white solid or semisolid fat obtained by rendering hog tissue; historical and modern culinary use.
  3. Bakepedia — https://www.bakepedia.com/baking-encyclopedia/lard/
    Supports: Rendering process, leaf lard definition, and baking uses.
  4. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lard
    Supports: Noun and verb definitions, including cooking and figurative meanings.
  5. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/lard_1
    Supports: Basic definition of lard as a solid white substance made from pig fat used in cooking.