Our society has shunned one thing our ancestors have used for many generations. We’ve turned down fat!
Around the time I was born, scientists began telling us fat was terrible, and we should eat a low-fat diet.
Recently though, we’re learning this isn’t the case. We should be eating a diet filled with healthy fats. Low-fat diets actually caused many health issues we face today because our bodies can’t absorb essential vitamins without fat.
Therefore, you should find what healthy fats you love and embrace them (in small doses.) Lard is one of those healthy fats you can render yourself and put to use in a multitude of ways.
Here’s how you can use lard as a healthy cooking fat:
1. Flakey is Better
I love to bake pies. Once I found this easy recipe for making pie crust, I can’t help but turn to a pie every time I need a dessert.
However, you can make your pie crusts even flakier by replacing the oil in the recipe with lard. Lard has a way of making a pie crust delicious and also gives you the opportunity to incorporate healthy fats into your diet.
2. Softer is Delicious
Do you enjoy soft, fresh baked cookies? It doesn’t take a specific recipe. Instead, you can turn to your lard.
I’m not kidding. Lard has a way of making your baked goods turn out softer and more delicious. Try it yourself!
3. Natural Grease
If you are looking for the perfect oil which is healthy for greasing your pans and also effective, ditch the oil and use lard instead. I struggled to decide which oil to use because I’m frugal. I want to buy the cheap oil, but I also want the health benefits from using a healthier oil.
Well, this decision is no longer on the table for me. I use lard. It works great when I must grease a pan, and I don’t have the guilt because I know it’s good for me.
4. A Friend to Cast Iron
I cook with cast iron regularly. I love it! The pans are durable. They’re a solid size when I’m cooking for my large family.
Yet, when I’m finished cooking with cast iron, they must be seasoned. With lard, this is no problem. Simply rub the pan down, wipe it clean, and you’re good to go.
5. Bathe with It
I’m not kidding. Lard makes great soaps. They’re inexpensive and all-natural. What more could you want?
If you’re going to rub something all over your skin, wouldn’t you like to know what each ingredient is? This is especially great because lard is an excellent moisturizer.
6. Bringing Cast Iron Back to Life
I’ve brought home quite a few cast iron items which needed some love to function properly.
If you have rusted cast iron, once you sand the rust down, coat them in lard, and they should be good as new. Follow these restoration steps, but use lard in place of oil.
7. Helps Ease Burns
When I was in high school and college, I worked in a restaurant. Some of the worst burns I’ve ever had came from working in a kitchen.
However, I learned oils and fats are great at reducing the heat from the burn. If you ever burn yourself, put a coating of lard on it to help ease the burning sensation.
8. Lard Uses by Candle Light
Did you know lard can also make easy and cheap candles? Years ago, when most people raised pigs, they’d rend the lard and use it as a type of oil to provide light for their lanterns at night or to make candles.
Try out this old-time tradition by using lard to make candles. It is a great skill to develop and a wonderful way to make your home feel even more welcoming.
9. Homemade WD-40
Do you have something in your home which squeaks or has become rusted? Don’t suffer from the annoying sound or give up on the rusted item.
Instead, pull out your lard. It’s a great way to stop items from squeaking. It’s also a great way to deter rust and even soothe small rusted patches.
10. Sizzle, Sizzle, Sizzle
I’m making homemade fried chicken tonight, and my family is extremely excited. They love it. Though frying chicken in cast iron does give it a unique taste (in my opinion.)
My secret weapon is frying the chicken in lard. It’s great for frying fish, vegetables, and even making fried rice with too.
11. Movie Night
My husband and I work long hours between our regular jobs and farming. When night time comes, we like to plop on our comfortable couch and watch a movie.
But no movie night is complete without popcorn. We pop our popcorn in a kettle on the stove. Instead of using oil, we like to pop our corn in lard. It gives it a delicious flavor. Try it once, and you probably won’t return to your usual way. We didn’t.
12. Natural Meat Tenderizer
Do you cook meats which tend to turn out tough? We eat a ton of venison around our house because our family hunts and the meat is free.
But venison can turn out tough if you aren’t careful because of the low-fat content. You can fix this by splitting the meat open and adding a dollop of lard inside the meat while it cooks. It will add the necessary fat and help to tenderize it.
13. Rub Your Hands in It
Don’t run away from this idea yet. Hear me out. Don’t visualize you rubbing your hands in pig fat, you’ll ruin the experience.
Instead, consider it more as a natural lotion. If you have dry or chapped hands, put a dollop of lard on them and rub it in. They’ll feel better in no time.
14. Lard Your Lips
This is another thought you have to overcome when thinking about what you’re actually rubbing on your lips. However I assure you, if your lips are chapped bad enough, you’ll be willing to rub anything on them to get some relief.
Lard has a way of sticking with you. It doesn’t absorb quickly and leave you needing relief again and again. Instead, rub lard on your lips and allow it to soothe and heal their dry and cracked condition.
15. Wood and Leather Protectant
We have a great deal of wood in our home. When you have a slew of boys, wood has a way of getting mistreated between running toy cars on tables to leaving cups on a table without a coaster.
Therefore, if you mix lard with beeswax, it can be rubbed on wood and leather to help protect it from further damage and give some of its shine back.
16. Make Your Hair Shine
I care about my hair. It doesn’t matter if I’m outside sweating over my garden all day, or I’m inside typing in front of a computer. I want my hair to look and feel good.
But I also prefer inexpensive, natural methods to treat my hair. If you mix two tablespoons of castor oil with two tablespoons of lard and apply it to your hair, it will make it shine. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap for an hour before rinsing the mixture out. It’s similar to applying mayonnaise to your hair for shine.
17. Roast Potatoes
I love to roast potatoes in the oven. They’re an easy side dish which requires only washing and cubing potatoes. Apply a little salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
However, you must coat the potatoes with oil. Instead of using other oils, I like to apply lard. Lard will give you delicious and crispy potatoes tasty enough to eat on its own.
18. Oil Your Cuticles
Many people assume because I dig in the dirt, care for animals, and drive a tractor I’m not into having nice hair or healthy nails.
That would be a wrong assumption. I simply prefer to use natural methods to achieve these things. If your nails are looking rough, add lard to your dry cuticles. It’ll add moisture and instantly make your nails look fresh and healthier.
19. Soothe Your Rough Edges
My feet are another big area for me. When I go to bed at night, I like to rub my feet together and not have my heels get stuck on the sheets.
Whether you have rough heels, elbows, or another trouble spot, rub lard on them. It will help to add moisture to the area. As mentioned above, lard is an excellent moisturizer because it doesn’t instantly soak in. Give it a try!
You now have 19 different ways to use lard. It’s easy to render, and whether you raise the pig or purchase grass-fed pig fat, it’s an inexpensive option to cook with or use around your home.
There are many natural ways of accomplishing things we do on a daily basis. You may surprise yourself, if you try these options, to find out lard could be your new go-to product.
