Rendering Lard In a Crock Pot
Rendering Lard In a Crock Pot
This simple crock pot lard rendering recipe transforms fresh pig fat into smooth, creamy lard, perfect for cooking and baking. By slowly cooking the fat on low heat, you’ll achieve a clean, mild-flavored lard with crispy cracklings left behind. It’s an easy, hands-off method that requires minimal ingredients and yields a versatile, shelf-stable fat for your kitchen.
Ingredients
- Fresh pig fat (leaf lard, back fat, or belly fat) - thawed if frozen
- Water (optional, to prevent burning)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fat: Cut the fat into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Add to Crock Pot: Place fat in the crock pot. Optionally, add 1/4 cup water to prevent burning.
- Cook on Low: Set the crock pot to low and cook for 4-8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Render: Continue cooking until fat is fully melted, leaving crispy cracklings behind.
- Strain: Strain the liquid lard through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a container, discarding the cracklings.
- Cool and Store: Let lard cool, then store in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer.