Butter Substitute for Lard: Exact Ratio
Looking for a lard substitute? Butter works as a direct replacement. Use 1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup lard in any recipe that calls for lard. This swap works best for pie crusts, biscuits, cookies.
Best Substitute
Butter
1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup lard
Use 25% more butter to compensate for its water content. Produces excellent flavor but slightly less flaky results than lard. Keep very cold for pastry.
Tips When Replacing Lard in Recipes
Leaf lard, rendered from the fat around pig kidneys, is the premium choice for baking—it has almost no pork flavor and creates the flakiest pie crusts. Regular lard has a slight pork taste that works well in savory recipes. For the flakiest pastry, keep lard and all solid fat substitutes as cold as possible.
What Is Lard and Why Substitute It?
Rendered pork fat used in traditional baking and cooking. Prized for creating exceptionally flaky pie crusts and tender baked goods. Available as leaf lard (from kidney fat, mildest flavor) and regular lard.
Butter is one of 5 alternatives you can use instead of lard. For a complete list of lard substitutes with ratios and cooking tips, visit the full lard substitute page.
What Else Can I Use Instead of Lard?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use butter instead of lard?
Yes, you can use butter as a substitute for lard. Use 1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup lard. Use 25% more butter to compensate for its water content. Produces excellent flavor but slightly less flaky results than lard. Keep very cold for pastry.
How much butter equals lard?
Use 1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup lard to replace lard with butter. Works best for pie crusts, biscuits, cookies.
What is the best substitute for lard?
Butter is a popular substitute for lard. Use 1 1/4 cups butter per 1 cup lard for a 1-to-1 replacement. See all 5 alternatives on our lard substitute page.