Classic suet is the crumbly kidney fat of a cow or sheep. There is a vegetable version that works just as well, but the boxes sit side by side, so read carefully.
Made fromRaw beef or mutton kidney fat
Plant versionVegetable suet exists
VerdictNot vegan
Where it hides
Suet puddings and dumplings
Mincemeat and Christmas pudding
Traditional pastry
Some stuffing and bird feed
What it is
Suet is the firm, crumbly fat from around the kidneys and loins of cattle or sheep, the backbone of a proper steamed pudding or dumpling.
Primary source 01 / 01
the raw, hard fat of beef, lamb, or mutton found around the loins and kidneys
Vegetable suet is a genuine like-for-like, usually a mix of palm oil and rice bran oil shredded to look the part, and it behaves the same in a pudding or a pastry. The only trap is the shelf: the beef box and the vegetable box look nearly identical, so it comes down to reading the label.
LardLard is pig fat with a friendlier name. It shows up in flaky pastry and old-school refried beans, and no amount of good technique changes what it is.
TallowTallow is rendered beef or mutton fat. It has had a small comeback in frying and skincare, and the comeback does not make it plant-based.
Palm oilPalm oil is a plant oil, so by the letter of the definition it is vegan. The asterisk is what growing it can cost: cleared rainforest and lost habitat for orangutans, tigers and rhinos, which leads many vegans to avoid it or seek a certified-sustainable version.
Frequently asked
Is vegetable suet vegan?
Yes. Vegetable suet is typically made from palm oil and rice bran oil, with no animal fat, so it suits a vegan diet. Check the pack, since brands vary, and see our note on palm oil if that matters to you.
What is the difference between suet and lard?
Suet is the raw hard fat from around the kidneys of cattle or sheep. Lard is rendered pig fat. Both are animal fats.
The same clear-eyed sourcing behind these verdicts, applied to each day’s news: what actually moved veganism forward, quoted and checked before you read it. One short brief, free.
