Vegetable shortening
About the ingredient vegetable shortening. Including 2,025 recipes with vegetable shortening, nutrition data, where it's found, and video.
Contents
What is vegetable shortening?
Vegetable shortening similar to animal derived shortening such as butter or lard, it is cheaper to produce; originally, lard was far cheaper and edible oils came at a higher cost.
Shortening also needs no refrigeration, which further lowers its costs and increases its convenience, especially for people who live in countries without refrigeration.
As a substitute for butter, it can lengthen the shelf life of baked goods and other foods. With these advantages, vegetable shortening gained popularity, as food production became increasingly industrialized and manufacturers sought low-cost raw materials. Vast government-financed surpluses of cottonseed oil,corn oil, and soy beans helped found a market in low-cost vegetable shortening.
Health concerns
Vegetable shortening has become the subject of some health concerns due to its traditional formulation from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which contain trans fat.
Trans fats have been linked to a number of adverse health effects. Usage of shortening lacking trans fats has grown.
Substitution
1 cup + 2 tablespoons of butter may be a substitution for 1 cup of vegetable shortening; butter has extra water content when compared to shortening.
Coconut butter may also be used and is viewed as a healthier substitution for vegetable shortening
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tablespoon (1 NLEA serving) (12g)Where found
Vegetable shortening is usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Vegetable shortening is a member of the Fats and Oils US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does vegetable shortening weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (1 NLEA serving) | 12 grams |
| 1 stick | 185 grams |
Related
Fats and Oils
| In Chinese: | 植物起酥油 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | la matière grasse | |
| en español: | la materia grasa |
Recipes using vegetable shortening
There are 2025 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Quick Pumpkin Muffins
Enjoy the Autumn season with these scrumptious muffins that don't take long to make!
Almost Whole Wheat Choco Banana Peanut Cookies
Almost Whole Wheat Choco Banana Peanut Cookies recipe
