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What is a Larding Needle?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A larding needle is a needle which is designed to push fat into meats for cooking in a process known as larding. Larding is a very old technique for keeping meats moist and flavorful during the cooking process, and it continues to be called for in some recipes. Lard is the traditional choice of fat for this cooking technique, since it is cheap and readily available, although other rendered fats may be used as well. A related cooking technique, barding, involves wrapping meats in strips of fat, rather than forcing the fat into the meat.

A typical larding needle has a very sharp tip and a hollow body. A strip of fat or lard is forced into the larding needle, and then the needle is pushed through the cut of meat to be larded. As the larding needle passes through the meat, it leaves the strip of fat behind. In a sense, larding could be viewed as a form of artificial marbling, lacing a meat with fat so that it will cook to perfection.

Chef
Chef

Some cooks use a U-shaped larding needle which works in much the same way as a regular larding needle. Many larding needles also come equipped with small teeth for gripping the piece of fat as it is run through the meat. Cooks can also accomplish larding by injecting lard into a cut of meat with a large-bore needle, as long as they remember to carefully pull the needle out as they force the lard through to avoid making a large deposit of lard in a small area.

As larded meats roast, the lard keeps the meat moist and infuses it with flavor. The fat will slowly render out of the meat so that it does not end up tasting greasy or fatty. Since dryness is a major issue with roasted meats for many people, especially large roasts, larding can be a useful kitchen technique to experiment with. Many classic cooking texts such as The Joy of Cooking and the words of Julia Child can help you learn larding techniques.

Seasoned fats are popular choices for larding since the seasoning will infuse the meat while it cooks. Lard can be blended with herbs, spices, or ingredients like garlic for a rich time released flavor. By using a larding needle, the cook can ensure that the seasoning penetrates the meat, rather than remaining on the surface as is the case with things like rubs.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

PinkLady4

At Thanksgiving, I know that Butterball turkeys come from the processing plant already injected with butter. These are delicious turkeys, but contain an awful lot of fat. They do come out of the oven very moist and flavorful, but all that extra fat isn't good for anyone.

On the other hand, Thanksgiving only comes once a year, so maybe we should just relax and enjoy.

Clairdelune

I wonder about the negative health effects that larding would have on us. It seems that quite a bit of fat would penetrate the meat, even though some will drain out of the piece of meat.

Most meat already has a lot of fat in it. If the concern is keeping the meat moist and flavorful, I would use other methods like covering it with foil part of the time, doing a slow cook, or using a rotisserie.

I'm kind of surprised that the techniques for cooking with a larding needle would be in The Joy of Cooking recipe book. I don't know how many people would want to cook with lard.

SZapper

@starrynight - You're right, using a larding needle does sound kind of disgusting. However I have tried it and it makes the meat very flavorful and tender. Also when I tried it the fat definitely did render out during cooking so I don't think it had much affect on the overall fattiness of the meal.

However if you don't want to try the larding needle I find slow cooking a is a great technique for tender meats. I actually have a roast slow cooking in my crock pot right now!

starrynight

This technique sounds gross and delicious all at the same time. While I do realize the fat renders out while cooking the idea of injecting a slab of meat with fat just seems kind of disgusting to me.

That being said I may still try this one day. I am quite the carnivore so perhaps I can get over the ick factor!

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