What Is Lard?

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posted on

September 22, 2021

I want to start a new trend!

I want to revive LARD again.

It's hardly calling it a new trend when that's what EVERYONE used to cook with, but it's been such a long time since most people have cooked with lard; most people born after 1970 don't even know what it is or how to use it.

What a shame.

The history is that lard and butter were framed for causing heart disease, which has proven not genuine.

Despite how we feel about the lie, it caused a significant shift away from people eating nutrient-dense fats, and now it's time to bring it back!

Here's a great list of reasons why lard is AMAZING from Empowered sustenance blog post: 10 reasons to bring lard back

Lard is heat stable
Lard is heart-healthy
Lard is neutral flavored
Lard is economical
Lard is high in vitamin D - 500 IU per teaspoon
Lard is sustainable
Lard is local
Lard is great for baking
Lard is a healthy source of cholesterol
Lard is traditional

Here's how we use lard every day

Frying Eggs or frying anything. Pan-fried eggs in lard are out of this world delicious. Nothing compares.
Use it in baking. Leaf lard is best for baking, but regular lard works as well

Join the new trend. Eating healthy, sustainable, locally raised fats is good for you.

You can purchase all your lard and lard making needs:

Pasture-Raised Lard (Best for frying/cooking with)

Pasture-Raised Leaf Lard (Best for Baking)

Pasture-Raised Pork Back Fat (Used for rendering into lard)

We have GREAT prices on our pork back fat!

Lard

Back Fat

pork fat

leaf lard

pastured pork

pastured pigs

cunningham pastured meats

Boise Pastured Pork

Pastured Pig

Boise Pastured Pigs

Pastured Meats

Halter Collars

Imagine the American West before fences. Endless grasslands stretched to the horizon, wide open and free. Livestock moved with the rhythm of the land, guided by skilled herders who understood how to work with nature—not against it. There were no steel posts, no wires, no grids—just animals, people, and a shared understanding of movement and timing. This was the original way of livestock management: intentional, responsive, and deeply in tune with the land. Fences, as we know them, are a relatively modern invention—useful, yes, but they’ve also made us more stationary and more separated from that old rhythm. At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we’ve found a way to return to those roots—while stepping into the future. We're excited to announce that we’re implementing virtual fencing through a company called Halter. Using GPS-enabled collars and gentle cues, Halter allows us to move animals exactly where we want them—no wire, no posts, no daily labor of setting up temporary fencing. Instead, we can offer fresh pasture every single day, ensuring the herd always has access to the cleanest, most nutrient-rich feed available. This also means animals no longer backtrack over soiled ground, which improves animal health, grazing efficiency, and soil vitality. What once took hours of manual fencing can now be done with a tap of a screen—giving us more time to focus on care, stewardship, and improving the land. See video of us putting collars on our cattle here<<<< Here’s what this means for you: Fresher feed = healthier animals and better quality meat.Daily movement mimics natural grazing, regenerating the land.Less stress, better welfare for the animals.Greater flexibility to adapt to weather, pasture conditions, and herd needs. This is a new chapter for us, and we’re excited to see where it leads. We’ll be learning as we go—and we’ll keep you updated as this journey with virtual fencing unfolds.

What Is Lard?

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Continuing a Tradition. Expanding the Vision.

Ever wondered how we care for our cattle on the Cunningham Ranch in Jordan Valley?

Halter Collars

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