Date: January 25, 1998 12:48 AM
Author: Noah Smith (noahsmith@usa.net)
Subject: How long will lard last?

I've got lard from John Morrell meats. It comes off the shelf in a cardboard box, no refrigeration necessary. How long before it goes bad?

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=11491)

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Date: January 25, 1998 06:06 PM
Author: UrthMomma (UrthMomma@aol.com)
Subject: Lard in storage


Although I haven't used lard much in the last 15 years, the lard that comes in plastic buckets seems to keep better than the cardboard box variety. You definitely need to keep pure lard, no hydrogenated fats added, in a cool place as it gets soft and a bit runny in the middle of a Midwestern summer.

On the farm we would keep metal lard cans in an unheated room in the winter and move them to the pantry on the northside of the house in the summer until they were used up. By the time plastic buckets were in general use we had a big freezer. It was not uncommon to go freezer diving and find a bucket of 3 or 4 year old lard. It was generally used for frying rather than piecrust.

I have been disappointed with supermarket lard, it seems too stiff, so I check to local meat processor or with a relative who is butchering for the "pure" stuff.

Lard will easily last a year if kept in a cool place and still have a good flavor. Older lard is good to mix with cooked grains and scraps for post 1999 cat and dog food.

Popping popcorn in lard has a great flavor -- or maybe just memories for me. . .

Urth

Madness takes it toll -- please have exact change.

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