Tallow vs Lard: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Both tallow and lard contain 0 g of protein and 902 calories per 100 g. Therefore, neither is higher in protein or lower in calories.

Tallow and lard are both animal fats used in cooking and baking. They share similar nutritional profiles, making them comparable in various dietary contexts.

What Is the Difference Between Tallow and Lard?

Tallow is rendered fat from beef or mutton, often used in cooking and soap making. It is known for its high smoke point and long shelf life. Lard is rendered fat from pigs, commonly used in baking and frying. It is prized for its ability to create flaky pastries and its rich flavor.

Tallow vs Lard: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of tallow and lard, highlighting their nutritional components.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Beef tallow	Lard
Calories	902 kcal	902 kcal
Protein	0 g	0 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	100 g	100 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	0 mg	0 mg

Which Is Better, Tallow or Lard?

For weight loss: Both tallow and lard contain 902 calories per 100 g, so there is no difference in calorie content.

For muscle and protein: Neither tallow nor lard contains protein, as both have 0 g of protein per 100 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both tallow and lard contain 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar per 100 g, making them suitable for low-carb diets.

How to Track Tallow and Lard Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when using cooking fats, as they are calorie-dense. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and are not intended as medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs when evaluating nutritional content. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, tallow or lard?

Both tallow and lard have 0 g of protein per 100 g.

Which has fewer calories, tallow or lard?

Both tallow and lard contain 902 calories per 100 g.

What is the fat content of tallow?

Tallow contains 100 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fat content of lard?

Lard also contains 100 g of fat per 100 g.

Do tallow and lard contain any carbohydrates?

Both tallow and lard contain 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Do tallow and lard contain any sugar?

Both tallow and lard contain 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Tallow contains 902 calories per 100 g.
• Lard contains 902 calories per 100 g.
• Both tallow and lard have 0 g of protein per 100 g.
• Both tallow and lard have 100 g of fat per 100 g.
• Both tallow and lard have 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
• Both tallow and lard have 0 g of sugar per 100 g.