Recently, pork fat has made its way as a substitute for many kitchen healthy fats. Centuries before, pork fat was a well-known and used fat. But as years have passed, the idea of pork fat being unhealthy spread.
As of recent, pork fat has once more regained its popularity. After all, its benefits and uses are vast. With its increase in use comes the process of storage. Pork fat can be stored for years.
But can you freeze pork fat?
Yes, of course, you can. Pork fat can be stored at room temperature. However, it is best to store it in the freezer. We know freezing helps store food for a longer time. Freezing pork fat can extend its storage life to up to 3 years.
In this article, we will be looking at how we can properly store and freeze pork fat to its best stability.
Pork Fat And Lard
Is pork fat the same as lard? Yes. Lard is pure pork fat made by rendering the fat from the fatty tissue.
Lard has several benefits. In fact, it is considered to be a healthier substitute than regular oil. It is rendered by steaming and boiling the fatty tissue of the pig.
This highly saturated fatty acid is odorless and tasteless if rendered properly. Improper rendering may cause the pork fat to become rancid quicker and build up mold.
How to Freeze Lard?
Freezing lard is actually quite easy. Here are some simple steps you can follow to freeze the lard properly.
Step 1
Render the fat from the pork first. Lard cannot be lard if the fat has not been rendered from the tissue.
Step 2
In order to get the best results, it is best to cut the lard into smaller portions first. You cannot re-freeze lard after it has been thawed once.
Cut the lard into smaller cubes and line them up on parchment paper. Freeze them for about 2-3 hours.
Step 3
Remove the parchment paper and put the cubes into a freezer bag. Toss it in the freezer and you’re all good to go.
If you don’t want to cut it into portions, you can also wrap it with wax paper and cover it with foil. Or simply use a jar. But make sure it is covered.
Precautions
As easy as it is to freeze pork fat, it is also necessary to take precautions while doing so. Here are some precautions you should know and take when freezing lard.
- Do not refreeze the fat after it has been defrosted. Once taken out of the freezer, use it up instead of trying to freeze it again. Otherwise, the quality and texture of the fat will deteriorate.
- Always cover the fat when storing, whether it be freezing or on a shelf. Pork fat attracts many mice and other insects. Exposing the lard to air may also cause it to become rancid quickly.
- Thaw the frozen fat completely before use. This will ensure the best taste and results.
- Render the fat properly before freezing. If it’s not rendered long enough, the lard will grow mold and cannot be used again.
Spoiled Pork Fat
Like any other food item, pork fat expires. One of the biggest problems with storing fat is that it oxidizes over time.
Lard can last from 6 months to even up to a year. But like any other fat, it will eventually turn rancid.
Spoiled lard will give off a sour smell when rancid. Not only will it smell rancid but it will also have a bad taste.
Moldy lard is also not good for use. Mold generally develops on lard that hasn’t been filtered properly after usage.
However, it does depend on the type of lard.
Regular lard, made from the back fat of a pig, has a more significant smell when rancid. Leaf lard, made from the kidney and loin of the pig, has a fainter smell.
Discard the lard the moment you see any signs of spoilage. If you’re not sure about it being spoiled, do not take any risks. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Types Of Pork Fat
Pork fat can be of 3 types. Each extracted from different parts of the body of a pig.
Belly Fat
The belly of the pig contains a large amount of meat along with the fat. This is why it is typically not rendered due to the high amount of meat attached.
Fatback
As suggested by the name, this is taken from the back of the pig. Underneath the skin of the shoulder and rump areas of the back resides a very thick layer of fat.
After rendering it produces a very strong flavorful lard. This is good for deep-frying.
Leaf Fat
This is known as the cleanest and healthiest fat from the pig. It is extracted from the kidney and loin area.
After rendering it produces lard that is very mild in both odor and flavor. It is perfect to use for pie crusts and pastries.
Benefits Of Pork Fat
While lard took a major hit in the 20th century, it is once again regaining its popularity. Lard is once again being appreciated for its versatility and sustainability.
Let us look at some of the best-known benefits of lard.
Vitamin D Rich
Lard is very high in vitamin D. As one of the best sources of vitamin D, it reduces the risk of many diseases. Such as cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
High In Choline
Choline is a very rare nutrient. People get about only 10 percent choline in their diet. Lack of choline may cause liver problems as well as lead to a higher level of fat and cholesterol.
Lard is a very good source of choline. Pasture-raised pigs are highly likely to have high levels of choline than conventionally raised pigs.
Healthy Heart
When talking about fat, the question of saturation comes to everyone’s mind. Well, lard contains 48 percent monosaturated fatty acids. This helps lower blood cholesterol levels and maintain healthy cells.
High Smoke Point
Most fats/oils oxidize at too high of a temperature. However, lard has a very high smoke point at 375 F. This makes it very convenient to use lard at high temperatures without worrying about oxidizing.
Choose The Best Products
It is best to render lard at home by yourself. Most storebought pig fat contains high amounts of toxic BHA and BHT. Most of them are also often hydrogenated.
However, if you have to buy lard from stores, make sure to get the best ones. We recommend the following products.
Armour Lard
Armour Lard is ranked number one among the lard products with 9.9/10 stars. It contains 0 grams of trans fat and is perfect for baking.
Morrell Snow Cap Lard
This product helps to deep fry in a healthier way. It is great for cooking and is great leaf lard for soapmaking. It has been given 9.8/10 stars.
US Dreams 100% All Natural Pork Lard
This product is 100% pure with absolutely no additives or preservatives. It is gluten-free and ideal for skin creams, soaps, cooking, etc. People have reviewed it to have 9.6/10 stars.
Others
There are some other options that might be helpful for you. Here you go!
| Product | Rating (out of 10) | Where to Buy? |
| SCP Wagyu Beef Tallow | 9.5 | Buy on Amazon |
| Rendering’s Gold Label Leaf Lard | 9.3 | Buy on Amazon |
| Canadian Tenderflake Pure Baker’s Lard | 9.1 | Buy on Amazon |
| SCP Iberico Lard | 9.1 | Buy on Amazon |
We hope you find these suggestions helpful.
FAQs
How Long Does Lard Last?
Lard generally stays best till 6 months at room temperature. Freezing lard will increase its shelf life by about a year. As lard contains mostly monosaturated fats, it lasts longer than other polyunsaturated fats.
How To Check Rancid Pork Fat?
When pork fat becomes rancid it gives off a very nasty smell. Take the frozen pork fat out of the refridgerator and thaw it completely. The smell of the lard will give away whether it is rancid or not.
Can You Store Pork Fat In Cupboards?
Yes, pork fat can be stored outside and inside the freezer. You can store the lard in the cupboard but make sure to cover it properly. However, the fat might become rancid a lot faster than usual.
Conclusion
Now that we have looked at all aspects of pork fat and how to use them, what do you think? Can you freeze pork fat? And how beneficial would it be for you?
As we have seen from the article, freezing pork fat may or may not be worth your time. If you’re using it up in a shorter time, it might be a better idea to store it at room temperature.
To store it for a longer period of time, freeze the lard and use it at times needed.
Best of Luck!
