lard, soft creamy white solid or semisolid fat with butterlike consistency, obtained by rendering or melting the fatty tissue of hogs. Lard was once a highly valued cooking and baking fat. In the modern era, however, although still preferred for certain cooking and baking purposes, lard generally has fallen in and out of favour in food preparation; it frequently is replaced by various types of vegetable oils, many of which are lower in total and saturated fat content.
Lard varies with the production method and the fat-bearing animal parts used. Steam- or wet-rendered lard is made by injecting steam under pressure into a closed vessel containing hog fats. Open-kettle-rendered or dry-rendered (enclosed-system) lards, which are darker in colour, are made by melting hog fats in steam-jacketed vessels; the residue is called cracklings. Neutral lard is prepared by melting leaf fat (from around the kidneys) and back fat. Continuous rendering involves grinding, rapid heating, and separation of fat from the cells by centrifuging. Lard composition varies with the diet of the hogs. The predominant fatty acids are oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic.
Lard typically is blended, frequently after modification by molecular rearrangement or hydrogenation, with other fats and oils to make shortening. Antioxidants are usually added to protect against rancidity. Lard is also used in pharmacy and perfumery to make ointments and pomades.
Lard oil is the clear, colourless oil pressed from pure lard after it has been crystallized, or grained. It is used as a lubricant, in cutting oils, and in soap manufacture. The solid residue, lard stearin, is used in shortenings and as a source of saturated fatty acids.