Shortening
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite
Nutrition facts per 100 g · edible portion
Fats And Oils19 forms & preparations
Dietary labels are inferred automatically from Shortening, vegetable, household, composite's food group, name and nutrient profile — a helpful guide, not a guarantee. Recipes and brands vary, so always read the label on packaged foods.
Low nutrient density 6/100
How many beneficial nutrients Shortening, vegetable, household, composite delivers for its calories — scored across 24 vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber, minus saturated fat and sodium. See the most nutrient-dense foods.
Caloric ratio
Where the calories in Shortening, vegetable, household, composite come from — the split across carbs, fat & protein.
100% from fat
-
Carbs 0%0.0 g per serving
-
Fat 100%100.0 g per serving
-
Protein 0%0.0 g per serving
What Shortening, vegetable, household, composite is a good source of
Stand-out nutrients per 100 g, by share of your Daily Value. Bold figures are an excellent source (20%+ DV).
Full nutrition breakdown
- Beneficial
- Moderate
- Limit
- Neutral
Bars are shaded by how a high amount affects your diet — green for nutrients to seek out (fiber, protein, vitamins), red for those best kept low (saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol), neutral where it depends. Each bar shows the % of your Daily Value per serving.
| Carbohydrates | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrate | 0.0 g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | — |
| Fats & Fatty Acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 100.0 g | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.0 g | |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 41.2 g | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 28.1 g | — |
| Trans Fat | 13.2 g | — |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1,883.0 mg | — |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 26,213.0 mg | — |
| Butyric Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Caproic Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Caprylic Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Capric Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Lauric Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Myristic Acid | 167.0 mg | — |
| Palmitic Acid | 12,460.0 mg | — |
| Stearic Acid | 11,412.0 mg | — |
| Arachidic Acid | 428.0 mg | — |
| Behenic Acid | 367.0 mg | — |
| Palmitoleic Acid | 21.0 mg | — |
| Oleic Acid | 41,076.0 mg | — |
| Gadoleic Acid | 88.0 mg | — |
| Erucic Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Nervonic Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Linoleic Acid | 26,213.0 mg | — |
| alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) | 1,883.0 mg | — |
| Arachidonic Acid | 0.0 mg | — |
| Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) | 0.0 mg | — |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | 0.0 mg | — |
| Protein & Amino Acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0.0 g |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 0.0 mcg | |
| Vitamin C | 0.0 mg | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | |
| Vitamin E | 6.1 mg | |
| Vitamin K | 53.2 mcg | |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.0 mg | |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.0 mg | |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.0 mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.0 mg | |
| Folate (B9) | 0.0 mcg | |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.0 mcg | |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | 0.7 mg | |
| Choline | 0.2 mg |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 1.0 mg | |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | |
| Magnesium | 0.0 mg | |
| Phosphorus | 0.0 mg | |
| Potassium | 0.0 mg | |
| Sodium | 4.0 mg | |
| Zinc | 0.0 mg | |
| Copper | 0.0 mg | |
| Manganese | 0.0 mg | |
| Selenium | 0.0 mcg |
| Sterols | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol | 0.0 mg | |
| Phytosterols | ~ | — |
| Campesterol | 50.0 mg | — |
| Stigmasterol | 51.0 mg | — |
| Beta-sitosterol | 138.0 mg | — |
| Other | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.0 g | — |
| Caffeine | 0.0 mg | — |
| Theobromine | 0.0 mg | — |
| Ash | 0.0 g | — |
About Shortening, vegetable, household, composite
Shortening is vegetable oil processed into a solid, spreadable fat that stays firm at room temperature. Flavorless and pure white, it was created as a plant-based stand-in for lard and became a baking-cupboard staple for pie crusts, biscuits and frostings.
It is essentially 100 percent fat, at about 884 calories per 100 grams, with no water, carbohydrate or protein. Older shortenings were partially hydrogenated and high in artificial trans fats, but manufacturers have since reformulated them to all but eliminate trans fat — a meaningful improvement, though it remains a source of saturated fat to use in moderation.
Bakers reach for shortening because its solid, water-free nature produces especially tender, flaky results and stable frostings that hold their shape. For flavor, many cooks blend it with butter to get the best of both.
Nutrition data from USDA FoodData Central & FooDB. Values are per 100 g, edible portion.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Shortening, vegetable, household, composite?
There are 883 calories in 100 g of Shortening, vegetable, household, composite, or about 1,810 calories in 1 cup (205 g).
How much protein is in Shortening, vegetable, household, composite?
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite contains 0.0 g of protein per 100 g.
How many carbs are in Shortening, vegetable, household, composite?
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite has 0.0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
How much fat is in Shortening, vegetable, household, composite?
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite provides 100.0 g of total fat per 100 g.
What is Shortening, vegetable, household, composite a good source of?
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite is an excellent source of Vitamin K (44% DV) and Vitamin E (41% DV) and a good source of Pantothenic Acid (B5) (per 100 g). Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Related fats and oils
Margarine-like shortening, industrial, soy (partially hydrogenated), cottonseed, and soy, principal use flaky pastries
Margarine Spread, approximately 48% fat, tub
Margarine, 80% fat, tub, CANOLA HARVEST Soft Spread (canola, palm and palm kernel oils)
Margarine, regular, hard, soybean (hydrogenated)
Margarine, industrial, non-dairy, cottonseed, soy oil (partially hydrogenated ), for flaky pastries
Margarine, industrial, soy and partially hydrogenated soy oil, use for baking, sauces and candy
Margarine-like spread, SMART BALANCE Omega Plus Spread (with plant sterols & fish oil)
Meat drippings (lard, beef tallow, mutton tallow)
Compare Shortening, vegetable, household, composite with…
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine-like shortening, industrial, soy (partially hydrogenated), cottonseed, and soy, principal use flaky pastries
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine Spread, approximately 48% fat, tub
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine, 80% fat, tub, CANOLA HARVEST Soft Spread (canola, palm and palm kernel oils)
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine, regular, hard, soybean (hydrogenated)
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine, industrial, non-dairy, cottonseed, soy oil (partially hydrogenated ), for flaky pastries
- Shortening, vegetable, household, composite vs Margarine, industrial, soy and partially hydrogenated soy oil, use for baking, sauces and candy