Palm shortening is one of the most common forms of shortening. It is a semi-solid fat derived from palm oil that is frequently used in baked products across the globe.
However, no matter how ideal it is for baking, you do not have to abandon your baking plans just because you do not have palm shortening on hand.
Palm shortening replacements such as butter, lard, vegetable shortening, margarine, and coconut oil may all be used to make cupcakes, pies, and pastries.
So, without further ado, here are the best palm shortening replacements you may use in your culinary masterpieces without compromising taste or quality.
Contents
- What Does Palm Shortening Taste Like?
- Nutritional Value of Palm Shortening
- Substitutes for Palm Shortening
- Popular Recipes That Call for Palm Shortening
- Questions & Answers
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Can coconut oil replace palm shortening?
- Is Crisco a palm shortening?
- What is the difference between palm shortening and vegetable shortening?
- What is the healthiest substitute for shortening?
- What can be used in place of palm shortening?
- Can you use olive oil instead of palm shortening?
- What do vegans use for shortening?
- What shortening does not contain palm oil?
- Can you substitute ghee for palm shortening?
- What is the best shortening for baking?
What Does Palm Shortening Taste Like?
Palm shortening is an unsaturated fat-free semi-solid palm oil. It has a bland taste and does not add flavor to meals as butter or other oils do.
However, palm shortening has a thick texture and is often used in baked goods such as bread, cupcakes, cookies, and cakes.
Palm shortening also has a high smoke point, which resists burning even at high temperatures. As a consequence, it is often employed in grilled meat dishes as well as deep-fried items.
Nutritional Value of Palm Shortening
One tablespoon of palm shortening contains:
- 120 calories
- 14g fat
- 0g carbs
- 0g proteins
- 0g fiber
When we look at the nutritional profile of palm shortening, we can see that one tablespoon, or 15 grams, has around 120 calories. Despite this, none of these calories include trans fat.
Trans fat overconsumption may result in weight gain, followed by an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. So, despite the fact that palm shortening lacks essential vitamins and minerals, it’s easy to understand why people prefer it to other types of shortening.
Substitutes for Palm Shortening
- Vegetable Shortening
- Coconut Oil
- Margarine
- Lard
- Fresh Butter
| One tablespoon of: | Calories | Fat | Carb | Protein | Fiber | SubstituteRatio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable Shortening | 113 | 12.8g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
| Coconut Oil | 117 | 13.6g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
| Margarine | 75 | 8.46g | 0g | 0.09g | 0g | 1:1 |
| Lard | 115 | 12.8g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 1:1 |
| Fresh Butter | 102 | 11.52g | 0.01g | 0.12g | 0g | 1:1 |
Vegetable Shortening
The fundamental contrast between the two is that vegetable oil is derived from cottonseed or soybeans, whilst palm oil is made from palm oil.
Nonetheless, vegetable shortening is an excellent substitute for palm shortening. This is because they both offer the same firm texture and bland taste to baked foods.
Because it does not melt at room temperature, vegetable shortening is often used in frostings. Cookies prepared with vegetable shortening have a crisp texture, and pie crusts made with this replacement, like those made with palm shortening, are flaky.
Coconut Oil
Cooking with coconut oil is a delicious and healthful way to add flavor to your favorite meals. Because it works well at higher cooking temperatures, it is a good replacement for frying, baking, and sautéing.
Furthermore, coconut oil is high in beneficial fats, which support a healthy immune system.
When purchasing coconut oil, pick an unprocessed, 100% natural oil since it tastes better and has more heart-healthy fats.
The natural taste of coconut oil might be overbearing, yet there are times when it compliments the flavor profile of the meal. Recipes that incorporate additional coconut-based products, such as coconut cream and coconut milk, work well with coconut oil.
Margarine
Margarine is another great alternative to palm shortening in your recipes.
Margarine, like shortening, is now a product generated from vegetable oil. It does, however, contain a lot of water. As a consequence, you can expect baked meals to become more moist in texture.
Margarine has the look and taste of butter, but it is not a dairy product, making it ideal for individuals who follow a dairy-free diet.
If you want your recipes to taste like they use butter but have a palm shortenings veggie foundation, we recommend using margarine as a substitute.
Lard
Lard is a pig fat substitute that is widely used in traditional meals such as Mexican Carnitas.
Because of its high smoke point, lard is ideal for frying. It lends the same flavor to all baked goods and has no distinct flavor of its own.
Food made with fat often has a crispy surface and a succulent interior. However, since it is completely made of animal fat, it is not the preferred option for palm shortening among vegetarians and vegans.
It is critical to choose a high-quality fat while shopping. Avoid lards that include chemicals or preservatives, and instead seek for items produced solely of hog fat.
Fresh Butter
Fresh butter is one of the most popular dairy products worldwide.
One of the primary differences between the two is that butter is less fatty than palm shortening.
As a result, butter-baked pastries are typically softer, while pie crusts may be less flaky than with palm shortening.
If the softer texture does not concern you, then use butter in your dish. In most circumstances, you won’t notice any difference, but the extra taste of butter, especially in baked items, is nearly irreplaceable.
Popular Recipes That Call for Palm Shortening
Reading about palm shortening, coconut oil, and other rich ingredients made us want to make something. As a result, it’s only fair to showcase a few of the best recipes that use palm shortening.
Each one tastes great and has a delicate, fragile texture. They are also specifically made for health-conscious consumers who follow grain-, dairy-, and gluten-free diets!
Chicken Pot Pie
This chicken pot pie is the perfect winter comfort food. It features a delicious buttery crust on the outside and a savory filling of chicken and vegetable broth on the inside. We enjoy this dish since it is gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free, as well as versatile in terms of ingredients.
You may also substitute anything else for the vegetables and meat; feel free to add whatever you and your family want!
Pumpkin Pie
If you follow a grain-free diet, you will really like this pumpkin pie. Cinnamon, pumpkin puree, and vanilla essence flavor the pie. The cake is then covered with a layer of pecan praline and served with whipped coconut cream. Ideal for Thanksgiving dessert!
Salted Caramel Apple Tart
This gorgeous salted caramel apple dessert is a delectable fall treat. You won’t believe how easy it is to make such a beautiful dessert. The recipe is ideal for those who do not consume dairy, gluten, or wheat.
The basis is a wonderful buttery pastry dough. What about the filling? Apples are juicy, and the sauce is salted caramel.
Chocolate Cupcakes
Birthdays and holidays are perfect times to whip up some creamy chocolate cupcakes. The cupcakes are delicious and delicate, with buttercream frosting on top.
However, there aren’t many recipes that utilize palm shortening while still being gluten, dairy, and nut free. Fortunately, this one has them all, and they’re delicious!
Questions & Answers
Palm shortening is good for you. Because it contains no trans fats, it is considered healthier than typical shortenings.
Palm shortening, on the other hand, is less healthful than extra virgin olive oil, which contains considerable amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
While palm shortening is not detrimental to your health, huge farms of palm trees in Malaysia and Indonesia may be. This is the major source of contention around palm shortening. The manufacturing of palm shortening may have an impact on hundreds of animal species, natural ecosystems, and tropical forests.
Palm shortening is really palm oil that has had some of its unsaturated fats removed. It has a higher smoke point than oil and is thus perfect for baking and frying.
Can one be substituted for the other? That depends on what you’re creating. In a pinch, these two might be replaced as cooking oil to stir-fry some vegetables, for example.
However, you may not receive the same results if you bake anything. Shortening has a distinct texture than palm oil and is recognized for making baked items more flaky and delicate.
Conclusion
Regardless of why you need palm shortening replacements, it’s useful to know which components work well together and which may be used interchangeably. We hope our guidance was useful to you in this respect.
If you’re still unclear about which alternative to palm shortening to use, here’s a refresher: coconut oil is the healthiest choice, while margarine is perfect for folks who avoid dairy. Furthermore, lard is an often-overlooked gluten-free choice, although vegetable oil is ideal for baking cookies.
Good luck with your recipes!