Can Lard Go Bad?: Have you ever baked biscuits or pies and used Lard for Crispiness? If so, you might have bought it to bring some crunchiness to your biscuits. We agree Lard is an excellent ingredient to use and you will love it for sure.
Wanna use it next time and wonder Can Lard Go Bad, How Long Does Lard Last, What is the Shelf Life, etc. Here you will find answers to all your questions like Storage Techniques, How to Tell if Lard has Gone Bad, etc.
In this article, we have listed some quick tips on how to store lard to ensure maximum shelf life. Before going to discuss whether Lard has an expiry date and all let us tell you What Lard is exactly in the below sections.
- What Is Lard?
- Can Lard Go Bad?
- How to Store Lard?
- Does Lard Go Bad? How Long Does Lard Last?
- How to Tell if Lard has Gone Bad?
- Can You Freeze Lard?
- Can you use Outdated Lard?
- What does Rancid Lard Smell Like?
- Can you Freeze Lard?
What Is Lard?
Lard is a pig fat i.e. obtained from large amounts of adipose tissue. Then Lard is rendered by using either boiling or steaming technique. Rendering is a technique where insoluble fat is separated from protein and bone. After further processing, this fat is made suitable for cooking. You can use it for almost everything such as fried or baked meals.
Can Lard Go Bad?
Yes, Lard Can Go Bad just like any other fat. Since it is predominantly made of saturated fat molecules it stays solid & stable at room temperatures. You can store it in a larder, or crock to keep it safe. However, if the room temperature is not maintained stable there are chances of spoilage or deterioration. Based on the room temperatures kept Lard can stay up around 4 – 6 months. You can extend the shelf life of Lard by even storing it in a Refrigerator.
Must See: Can Chicken Broth Go Bad
How to Store Lard?
One of the most authentic ways to store Lard is to leave it in the Pantry at Room Temperature. This is an age-old technique and we can store it in the fridge now to extend its shelf life. Follow the simple hacks over here to store Lard for a long time without losing its quality.
Keep it in a Tightly Sealed Container: Store it in a sealed container so as to limit the oxygen exposure thus extending its quality for a long time. This is needed especially when you are storing at room temperatures. Mice are fond of Lard and will not stop if not closed and packed properly. If you find any rodent activity it is better to store it in Refrigerator.
Avoid Sunlight: Make sure to keep Lard out of the heat or direct exposure to sunlight. If got exposed to sunlight it can become rancid lard.
Store it in a Refrigerator: The Best way to preserve Lard is to Keep it in Fridge. By doing so, it will last for about a year. However, remember while storing in the fridge Lard is prone to absorb flavors in the air around it.
Place on a Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper: Cut the Lard into small Pieces and wrap it in a baking sheet with Parchment Paper. This should be placed in the fridge for about 3 hours and then transfer to a freezer bag and let it settle. Keep in mind if Lard is unfrozen for once then it shouldn’t be kept in the freezer again as there are chances of losing its flavors.
Does Lard Go Bad? How Long Does Lard Last?
Lard lasts around the best date that comes with the packaging. The time Lard is going to last depends on how you store it. Usually, proper storage of the Lard extends its shelf life by a few more months. After the manufacturer’s date is completed we can’t guarantee the freshness.
With Lard, it is not a concern whether you keep it open or unopen as it doesn’t come with air suction or any other added preservatives. If you wrap it properly and store it within room temperature it would be perfectly alright. It is difficult to estimate whether using Lard is preferred or not after completion of the manufacturer’s date without falling sick.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Lard (unopened or opened) | Best-by | Best-by + 3 – 6 months |
How to Tell if Lard has Gone Bad?
Smell is the best indicator by which we can tell if Lard has gone bad or not. When you smell if you get a sour or off odor it’s an indication that Lard has become rancid and it’s time to discard it. You get to see this when you store it at room temperature.
If you are unable to figure out whether your Lard has Gone Bad you can simply give it a quick taste. Rancid Lard will have an unpleasant taste and you shouldn’t consume it. If you see any bite marks on the packaging it is better not to consume it as mice or other pests have got into it.
Read More:
Can You Freeze Lard?
It is not mandatory to freeze Lard but you can do so to extend its life further. Keeping in the fridge will retain the quality of the product for a long time and some brands recommend doing so. Shelf life varies depending on whether you keep it fridge or not. So better check out the label of Lard Packaging.
Freeze Lard in small portions so that you don’t have to defroze the whole thing at once. As this might affect the quality better avoid it.
FAQs on Can You Still Use Lard After it’s Bad
No, you shouldn’t consume Outdated Lard and throw it away especially if it has gone bad.
2. What does Rancid Lard Smell Like?
Rancid Lard smells sour or soap like and it’s an indication that you shouldn’t eat it.
Yes, you can Freeze Lard but this is not mandatory. Freezing your Lard will retain the freshness and quality of Lard for a long time.
Key Takeaways
We as a team believe the knowledge shared on our page with regards to Can Lard Go Bad has been extremely useful. For any other information like How to Store Lard Long Term, Can You Freeze Lard or not you can always write us? Stay tuned to our site to avail latest info on Can Margarine Go Bad in a matter of seconds.