Does Lard Go Bad?

Lard is a fat source that you get from the pig source. It is a traditional and old type of fat, and its use is still practiced in some households. It is the most suitable fat for your pie crusts and other savory cookings. It elevates the flavor of your dishes.

Lard can be bought from a grocery store. It needs special storage conditions, unlike other oils and butter. It will go bad easily if it is not properly stored. Everything you need to know about its storage is mentioned in the article, so you do not have to worry about storing it.

How to store lard?

Lard will go bad like any other cooking fat if it is not stored properly. Having low moisture content, it will not spoil too soon. It can stay perfect at low temperatures. If you keep it at room temperature, it can go bad before its date.

You should be aware of basic points that help extend the life of your lard. The following points will guide you the best in saving your lard and extending its shelf life.

Do not leave your lard open in the air

Lard should never be left exposed to the air. The air can readily oxidize your lard; hence, it can spoil too soon. Whenever you buy your lard from the grocery store, make sure you keep it in the wax paper that you buy it in. If it can not be re-sealed, you can try storing it in an airtight container.

The use of ziplock bags can also be taken into account. The only focus is to keep your lard away from air contamination.

Keep it away from warm places

The lard shows different physical states depending upon the temperature it is provided. If you keep your lard at war temperature, it will melt down and make your workplace messy. Even if it is kept in some container, you will not want to use it after some time as it will develop a rancid smell.

The lard requires a low-temperature place and should be kept in so. It should be kept away from sunlight as sunlight also provides warmth.

Refrigerate your lard

The best place to keep your lard is your refrigerator. The refrigerator provides you the optimum temperature scale for your lard. There will be no mold or bacteria formation in the fridge to set for a longer time.

The refrigerator also extends the shelf life of the lard. You will have to ensure that your lard is properly sealed while you keep it in the fridge. The lard may absorb fragrances of other food products in the fridge.

Can you freeze your lard?

If you have plenty of lard and there is no chance of consuming it in the upcoming months, you can keep it in your freezer for a prolonged time. It does not go bad in the freezer. The lard can be stored for up to two years in the freezer.

Your lard should be properly sealed, so it does not get a freeze burn. You can store all of the lard together in a single airtight box. You can also store it in an ice cube tray and transfer it to a ziplock bag later. The lard can also be infused with different herbs while freezing it.

How long does the lard last?

The lard can stay perfect for three months on your shelf. It will not spoil on the shelf if it is kept away from warm places and sunlight. It can go bad in a month if it gets consistent warmth.  The lard stored in the fridge can sustain for a year if it is properly covered.

You can use your frozen lard for about three years. The only condition it requires that it should be thawed repeatedly. Your lard should be put in ziplock bags, so it does not get an ice burn.

How to tell if the lard is bad?

It is advised to use the lard before its given expiry date. If the expiry date is passed, you can still not confirm its rancidity until you know some key points. The lard spoilage can be confirmed if it shows the following symptoms.

• The bad lard changes its color from off-white to pale.
• You might notice an off smell coming from the lard that may seem unnatural to you.
• If there is no bad smell, you can taste it. If it goes sour or tastes unpleasant, it is not good to be used.
• There may also be a presence of molds and black spots on the lard. If it is present, you should throw the lard away.
• If your lard gets attacked by rodents in your pantry, you should not use it any further.

Sources

• Does it go bad
• Can it go bad
• Healtholino
• The dairy dish