Pasture Raised Lard Recipe (How To Render It)

Ingredients:

• Pasture-raised leaf fat (corn & soy free is best if you can find it)
  • Northstar Bison and Apsey Farms are great sources for corn & soy free pork. Use the code “ribeyerach” for a discount at either farm store.
  • Every 2lbs of leaf fat will render about 32oz of lard

Tools:

• Dutch oven (I really like this one) or large pot
• Fine mesh strainer
• Organic cheese cloth (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chop up the leaf fat into small pieces while its still partially frozen (this makes it easier to cut). The smaller the pieces, the more quickly it will render. It’s ideal to grind the fat, as it saves time and renders down more quickly.
2. Put the pieces of fat into your pot or dutch oven, then turn it onto the lowest heat setting you have on your stovetop. Make sure to LEAVE THE LID OFF (this is very important, as if the lid is on, moisture will be retained).
3. Let it melt down for several hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the little pieces of fat (the cracklings) are golden and crispy, the lard is done rendering.
5. Take it off the heat & it cool for 30 minutes, then pour carefully into glass jars through a stainless steel fine mesh strainer. If you want to make sure to get out all “impurities” then use a cheesecloth over the strainer (this is optional).
6. Keep at room temp or in the fridge for 6-12 months or longer. You’ll know if it’s gone bad!
7. Save the cracklings to eat!

Notes:

• Pasture-raised lard is a great source of dietary vitamin d!
• The lard will turn white when it cools
• Lard is a great nourishing and neutral tasting cooking (and baking) fat. Replace those seed oils with lard or tallow!
• Rendering your own lard will save you lots of money and is really fun. Buying pasture-raised lard is very expensive, and it’s likely not going to be corn and soy free.
• This recipe can be enjoyed by anyone, and it fits in great with these diets: the carnivore diet, keto diet, lion diet, paleo diet, animal-based diet, low carb diet, Weston A. Price diet, etc.

We hope you love this simple and pasture-raised lard recipe. Tag us on instagram @realfoodprojectco if you try it!