Vegetable Shortening Nutrition: Calories, Fat & Vegan Suitability

Vegetable shortening, generally marketed under the brand name of Crisco, is made from vegetable oils, including soybean and cottonseed oil. It has been hydrogenated to achieve a solid state and withstand high oven temperatures.

Nutritional breakdown

• One tablespoon of vegetable shortening contains 113 calories, 12.8 grams of fat, and no significant amount of protein, carbohydrates or sodium.

Nutritional pros

• Vegetable shortening requires no refrigeration. It is considered acceptable for vegan diets because it contains no animal products and is made entirely of vegetable oil.

Nutritional cons

• Vegetable shortening contains trans fatty acids, made during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils, which have been shown to increase levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Uses

• Vegetable shortening may be used in the place of butter or margarine in baking items such as biscuits, pies, pastries and cakes. It delivers a crumbly, flaky texture and takes on the flavor of other ingredients used in the dish.

Storage guidelines

• Vegetable shortening can be stored at room temperature for up to one year.