Today I’m going to show you how to render lard {the easy way} in a Crock Pot.
When you only have one hundred dollars a month for groceries, you really have to think outside of the box when it comes to getting the most out of every food dollar.
Long story short; I needed something to fry eggs and sauté vegetables with. I didn’t have any extra money in my budget to buy butter or olive oil.
As I was looking at the {$0.99 a pound} ham in my shopping cart I realized I didn’t need to buy butter or olive oil.
I could just use the fatty bits from the ham for frying/sauteing.
I mean people save bacon grease, right? Why couldn’t I save the fat from the ham? It seemed like a reasonable idea to me.
So I did it! 🙂
When I got home from the grocery store I cut up my ham.
The plan was to use the ham bone for split pea soup, and to portion out the rest of the ham to use throughout the month. The fat was headed for the Crock Pot.
I don‘t know about you, but I LOVE split pea soup!!! It’s cheap and easy to make, plus it freezes well.
What’s not to love?
Wow! Who knew a ham bone weighed so much?
I bought an 8.74 pound ham and was shocked there was only 4 pounds 13 ounces left after tossing the bone {with some ham still attached} into the Crock Pot.
I wish I would have weighed the fat! Oh well. Maybe next time.
How To Render Lard In A Crock Pot
This is SO EASY. Seriously. All you do is put the fat from your ham in a small Crock Pot, put the lid on and cook it low and slow.
*The fat will melt quicker if it is cut up into small pieces.
Turn the dial to low, cover, and give it a few hours for the fat to separate and the last bits of ham to crisp.
Make sure you give it a stir every once in a while {every hour or so} to prevent scorching.
Look at all those glorious crispy bits!! If you like pork rinds, you’ll love these.
After the fat has turned to liquid {carefully} strain the liquid into a heatproof jar {I used a small canning jar} and let cool.
Once cool, store in the refrigerator or freezer.
So there you have it. How to render lard {the easy way} in a Crock Pot.
Have you done this before? What is your favorite way to use lard?
~Mavis
Jill A says
How long will it last if you keep it in the refrigerator? Just curious. I love reading about this challenge.
Mavis Butterfield says
6-12 months in the refrigerator. Must longer in the freezer.
Wendy C says
Thank you!
Kari says
I have rendered and saved beef fat before, put it in the fridge, then never used it. I think I ended up giving it away. Bacon grease, however, gets saved and used for frying eggs, frying tortillas, etc.. I have my grandma’s “Drippings” container that sits next to my stove that always has bacon grease in it for that purpose.
Thanks for the reminder on how to look for ways to be thrifty and better stewards of all we have. This challenge is fun to watch. The grocery and food posts have always been my favorite!
Lesley says
Mavis, what are you most looking forward to (foodwise) after January is over? Do you miss eating at your house? I think your January challenge is a really relatable way to show people that yes, it *can* be done if necessary. Our culture is all about eating for entertainment, and I think you’re shining a light on eating for necessity and freeing up funds for other things!