If you make pie crusts on a regular basis, you most likely use shortening into your recipes. Despite this, there are a lot of different reasons why individuals look for an alternative to shortening. For instance, shortening is loaded with trans fats, which should be avoided since they are unhealthy. It’s also possible that you don’t have access to any shortening at the moment. In that case, I have something I want to share with you:

In general, there are three excellent options that may be used in place of shortening. Butter, lard, and coconut oil are the three items listed here. You are free to choose any one of these three options, but keep in mind that the taste will be altered somewhat regardless of which one you choose.

This post will guide you through all these three perfect alternatives for shortening when youre creating pie crusts. This manner, you may learn how to adapt your recipe if you dont want to use a shortening or you dont have access to it.

Let’s not waste any more time and get right in, shall we?

Can you use shortening instead of butter in the pie crust?

If you’re creating a pie crust, you don’t need to use shortening—you may use other things instead. Do not get frustrated, even if a recipe asks for shortening, even if you do not have any on hand or if you would rather not use it.

It will not be difficult for you to replace it with anything else that you currently have available to you. What properties you want from the shortening will guide your choice of fat to use in its production.

Shortening replacements for pie crust

When it comes to baking pie crust, the following are three excellent options that you may use instead of shortening. You may use these items, but your recipe will need to be altered to account for any necessary alterations.

Butter

You may substitute butter or margarine for shortening in a recipe, but you will need to add a few additional tablespoons of the substitute for each cup of shortening that the recipe calls for.

As a consequence of this, it is recommended that, for each cup of shortening that is asked for in a recipe, 1 cup of butter or margarine along with 2 tablespoons of shortening be used instead.

Because of this, butter often has a lower melting point than shortening does. Depending on how much lower butter’s melting point is than shortening’s, the final product of your recipe might seem more or less crisp, flaky, or fluffy.

It is highly recommended that you practice creating your meal many times before preparing it for a significant event like Thanksgiving dinner. For instance, prior to preparing the meal for the Thanksgiving feast, run it through a trial run.

Since butter is such a useful ingredient for baking and lubrication, one of the finest ways to put it to use is in the preparation of pie crust.

Cocoa Butter

Coconut oil may be used in place of butter and the vast majority of other fats when measured out in the same manner. As a result, you may substitute it for shortening while you’re constructing a pie crust with it.

In spite of the fact that it is solid while at room temperature, it may be spread like butter, despite the fact that its flavor is extremely distinct from that of butter.

It is feasible to utilize coconut oil in recipes either by melting it or beating it with sugar, exactly like you would butter or shortening.

People are increasingly turning to it as a healthier option to butter due to the fact that it contains fats that are favorable to one’s health rather than unhealthy fats.

You should not use coconut oil in recipes if you are attempting to limit the amount of fat included in the dish since it contains as much or more fat than butter or shortening does. Coconut oil may certainly be a bit more costly than butter.

Lard

When it comes to cooking, you can probably get away with using lard instead of shortening in the majority of recipes. You may, for instance, use this product in lieu of shortening when you are preparing a pie crust to go along with a savory filling.

You should be aware that lard is a product derived from animals, and if your goal is to reduce or eliminate the amount of animal fat in your diet, you should steer clear of consuming lard.

If you deep fried the fat, there is no risk to your health. Since it has a lower water content than butter, it has a higher smoke point and will splatter far less when it is heated.

On the contrary, you do not need that ingredient while preparing a pie crust. But, if your pie has savory ingredients, you should use lard rather than shortening since it will complement the flavor of the pie better.

Summary

In a nutshell, you need shortening to make a pie crust, although you may use other goods in its place if you choose. For instance, butter, coconut oil, and lard are all good shortening replacements that may be used in lieu of shortening in a recipe.

Do not allow yourself to get angry if a recipe does not call for shortening even if you want to avoid using it and do not allow yourself to become upset even if the recipe does not call for shortening. As was said before, you may replace it with anything else that is already in your possession that would serve the same purpose. You will be had to make a decision about the sort of fat that you want from the shortening depending on the attributes that you need from it.