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Vegetable shortening

What is vegetable shortening? About the ingredient vegetable shortening. Including 2,100 recipes with vegetable shortening, nutrition data, where it's found, and video.

About

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

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Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tablespoon (1 NLEA serving) (12g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 106Calories from Fat 107
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 12.0g 18%
Saturated Fat 2.8g 14%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium -1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0.0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 0.0
Protein 0.0g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0% Iron 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

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 USDA nutritional food group.

How much does vegetable shortening weigh?

measure grams
1 tablespoon (1 NLEA serving) 12
1 stick 185

In Chinese:植物起酥油
British (UK) term: Vegetable shortening
en français:la matière grasse
en español:la materia grasa

Recipes using vegetable shortening

There are 2024 recipes that contain this ingredient.

100% Whole Wheat Bread
100% Whole Wheat Cranberry Nut Muffins
Afternoon Tea Biscuits
Alice Almond Pound Cake
Alice's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alice's Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Cookies
Alice's Rolled Sugar Cookies
All-American Blueberry Muffins
All-American Chocolate Cake
All-American Chocolate Chip Cookies
Almost Whole Wheat Choco Banana Peanut Cookies
Amazing Cinnamon Snickerdoodles

All 2,024 recipes

References

See more about vegetable shortening about 13 years ago
Usda nutrition data over 8 years ago

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