Top Lard Brands for Culinary Delights: A Savory Selection

Lard, a traditional cooking fat, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as more people seek natural and flavorful alternatives to processed oils. With its unique properties for baking, frying, and adding richness to dishes, choosing the right brand of lard can significantly impact the quality of your culinary creations. Various brands offer high-quality lard that caters to both traditional recipes and modern cooking needs. To explore some of the best brands available for lard, read on below.

Illustration of lard

Best brands of lard in 2025

Armour

Armour is a renowned brand for producing high-quality lard, made from pure, high-quality blended pork fat that adds depth and richness to various culinary dishes. Armour Lard is ideal for baking, frying, and seasoning, and it is particularly praised for its sweet, clean flavor and odor, as well as its creamy, white appearance. Each 16-ounce container of Armour Lard contains 34 servings, with each serving providing 120 calories, 13g of total fat, and 6g of saturated fat, which is 30% of the daily recommended value. The lard is also enhanced with ingredients like BHA, Propyl Gallate, and Citric Acid to protect its flavor. Armour Lard is a versatile kitchen staple, especially for baked goods like pie crusts, biscuits, and pastries.

Snow Cap Lard

Snow Cap Lard, produced by John Morrell, is a leading brand in the U.S. refrigerated lard market, known for its high quality and widespread availability. In 2020, it was the top-selling refrigerated lard brand in the United States, generating about $1.21 million in sales over a 12-week period. This lard is U.S. inspected and passed by the Department of Agriculture, ensuring its quality and safety. It contains 20% of the daily value for total fat and 25% for saturated fat per 13g serving. Snow Cap Lard is also praised for its texture and melting point, making it ideal for baking and cooking. For more details, visit the Snow Cap Edible Lard product page.

Fatworks

Fatworks is a renowned brand, celebrated for its premium, pasture-raised lards that cater to the needs of gourmet cooks, bakers, and health-conscious consumers. Since 2011, Fatworks has been dedicated to providing high-quality, non-GMO, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free lard products, including Pure Lard and Leaf Lard, which are rendered using low-heat techniques to preserve nutritional integrity. Their Leaf Lard, made from the prized "leaf" fat of pigs, is particularly prized for its light, delicate flavor and ability to create the flakiest, most moist pastries. Each serving of Fatworks lard contains 14g of total fat, with 4.5g of saturated fat, and is free from artificial trans fats and other alterations. The company's commitment to traditional, artisanal rendering methods ensures that their lards are not only nutritious but also exceptionally flavorful.

Manteca El Rey

Manteca El Rey is renowned for its high-quality lard, a staple in many traditional cuisines. Known for its rich flavor and versatility, this lard is often preferred by chefs and home cooks alike. With a high-fat content of around 90%, it ensures excellent cooking results. Established in [year], Manteca El Rey has built a reputation over the years for its consistent quality and purity. Whether used for baking, frying, or making traditional dishes, Manteca El Rey lard is a trusted choice. For more information, you can visit their official webpage.

Smithfield

Smithfield Foods is a leading producer in the pork industry, but it is not specifically renowned for lard production. However, as the largest pig and pork producer in the world, Smithfield processes a vast amount of pork, which includes the production of various pork products. In 2013, Smithfield reported $3.4 billion in sales, with hog production earnings nearly tripling due to higher hog prices. The company operates over 500 farms in the US and contracts with another 2,000 independent farms, producing over six billion pounds of pork annually. While lard is not a highlighted product, Smithfield's extensive pork processing capabilities make it a significant player in the broader pork market. For more information, visit their official website.

Tenderflake

Tenderflake, a brand owned by Maple Leaf Foods, is renowned for producing high-quality, non-hydrogenated lard, making it a preferred choice for baking. Introduced in 2005, Tenderflake lard contains only 1% trans fat, significantly lower than the 35% found in some vegetable shortenings. This pure pork lard, derived from exceptionally lean Canadian pork, is ideal for baking due to its natural solidity and minimal processing. Available in 454 gram bricks and 1.36 kg tubs, its use results in flaky, moist pie crusts. Tenderflake lard is valued for its rich flavor and superior baking performance.

Ole Tyme

Ole Tyme Produce, although not specifically known for lard production, is a reputable brand in the fresh food distribution industry, specializing in domestic, local, and international fresh produce, as well as dairy products, including butter and cheese. They source produce from locally-owned farms and premium national growers, ensuring high quality and sustainability. With over 25 years of outstanding customer service, Ole Tyme Produce is highly recommended for its fresh and expertly packaged products. However, for lard, one would need to look into specific rendering methods and producers that specialize in pork fat rendering. The quality of lard is often determined by factors such as the type of fat used (e.g., leaf fat or back fat) and the rendering method (open kettle, prime steam, or dry rendering). For more information on their offerings, visit the Ole Tyme Produce product page.

Morrell

Morrell, particularly through its Snow Cap brand, is a leading producer of lard in the United States, known for its high-quality and pure products. In 2020, John Morrell Snow Cap was the top-selling refrigerated lard brand, generating about $1.21 million in sales. This brand is favored for its excellent flavor in baked goods and its health benefits compared to shortening, with ingredients including lard, BHT, and BHA. The lard is highly valued for its ability to produce flaky, moist pie crusts and is part of Smithfield's extensive line of premium lard products. Morrell's commitment to sustainability and culinary excellence makes it a trusted choice among consumers. You can find more information about John Morrell Snow Cap Lard.

Epic Provisions

EPIC Provisions stands out as a pioneering brand in the production of high-quality lard, committed to regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. Since its founding in 2013, EPIC has been dedicated to improving animal welfare, human health, and environmental regeneration. The brand's products, such as their Pastured Pork Lard and Grass Fed Beef Tallow, are made from humanely-raised animals and are free from harmful processing deviations. EPIC's partnership with the Savory Institute and its Land to Market program ensures that their products carry the Ecological Outcome Verification seal, reflecting positively trending outcomes in biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem function. This commitment has earned EPIC the Savory Institute's Frontier Founder Award, highlighting their leadership in regenerative sourcing.

Farmer John's

Farmer John, a renowned brand under Smithfield, is esteemed for its high-quality lard products, such as Premium Lard, which is U.S. inspected and passed by the Department of Agriculture. Each serving of Farmer John Premium Lard contains 120 calories, 13g of total fat (20% of the daily value), and 5g of saturated fat (25% of the daily value). This lard is free from common allergens like crustaceans, sesame seeds, wheat, eggs, fish, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, and peanuts, making it a versatile choice for various cooking and baking needs. The product is available in convenient sizes, including 16oz and 4lb cubes, catering to different user preferences. With its rich nutritional profile and high-quality ingredients, Farmer John's Premium Lard is a trusted choice among consumers.