Margarine vs. Shortening — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 14, 2024
Margarine is a butter substitute made from vegetable oils, while shortening is a solid fat used in baking for its texture-enhancing properties.
Difference Between Margarine and Shortening
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Margarine is primarily made from vegetable oils and is created to be a healthier alternative to butter, offering a similar taste and texture for spreading on bread and cooking. It often contains added vitamins and is lower in saturated fats. On the other hand, shortening is made from vegetable fats and is designed to have a high melting point, which makes it ideal for baking purposes. It gives pastries and pies a flaky texture that is harder to achieve with other fats.
While margarine can come in various forms, including tub and stick, and is often used as a direct substitute for butter in spreading and light sautéing, shortening is typically found in a solid state and is favored in baking for its ability to produce a tender and flaky texture in goods like pastries and pie crusts.
Margarine often contains added salt, flavorings, and colorings to mimic the taste and appearance of butter, making it a versatile ingredient in both cooking and baking. Shortening, however, is usually flavor-neutral, which makes it a preferred fat in recipes where the taste of butter is not desired.
Both margarine and shortening are shelf-stable, but margarine may have a shorter shelf life due to the presence of water and emulsifiers. Shortening, being 100% fat, tends to have a longer shelf life and is less prone to rancidity when stored properly.
Comparison Chart
Base Ingredient
Vegetable oils
Vegetable fats
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Use
Spreading, light cooking
Baking, texture enhancer
Texture
Soft, spreadable
Solid, malleable
Flavor
Butter-like, with added salt
Neutral, no distinct flavor
Shelf Life
Shorter, due to water content
Longer, as it is 100% fat
Compare with Definitions
Margarine
Margarine is a spreadable fat made from vegetable oils.
I used margarine on my toast this morning for breakfast.
Shortening
Shortening is a solid fat used primarily in baking.
Shortening was the secret to her flaky pie crusts.
Margarine
It serves as a healthier alternative to butter.
She switched to margarine to reduce her saturated fat intake.
Shortening
Shortening is preferred for its lack of flavor.
The recipe required shortening to ensure the flavors weren't altered.
Margarine
Comes in tubs and sticks for different uses.
For baking, she prefers stick margarine for precise measurements.
Shortening
Made from hydrogenated vegetable fats.
He was surprised to learn shortening was made from vegetable fats.
Margarine
Margarine can be used in cooking and baking as a butter substitute.
The recipe called for margarine instead of butter.
Shortening
It is valued for its ability to make baked goods tender.
The shortening made the cookies exceptionally tender.
Margarine
It is an emulsified blend of oils and water.
Margarine's smooth texture is due to its emulsification process.
Shortening
Has a higher melting point than butter or margarine.
Its high melting point makes shortening ideal for certain pastries.
Margarine
Margarine (, also UK: , US: (listen)) is a spread used for flavoring, baking and cooking. It is most often used as a substitute for butter.
Shortening
Shortening is any fat that is a solid at room temperature and used to make crumbly pastry and other food products. Although butter is solid at room temperature and is frequently used in making pastry, the term shortening seldom refers to butter, but is more closely related to margarine.
Margarine
A fatty solid butter substitute consisting of a blend of hydrogenated vegetable oils mixed with emulsifiers, vitamins, coloring matter, and other ingredients.
Shortening
A fat, such as butter or lard, used to make cake or pastry light or flaky.
Margarine
A spread, manufactured from a blend of vegetable oils (some of which are hydrogenated), emulsifiers etc, mostly used as a substitute for butter.
Shortening
A shortened form of something, as a word.
Margarine
(dated) The solid ingredient of human fat, olive oil, etc.
Shortening
The act of one that shortens.
Margarine
A processed food product used as an inexpensive substitute for butter, made primarily from refined vegetable oils, sometimes including animal fats, and churned with skim milk to form a semisolid emulsion; also called oleomargarine; artificial butter.
The word margarine shall mean all substances, whether compounds or otherwise, prepared in imitation of butter, and whether mixed with butter or not.
Shortening
The act or process of becoming shorter.
Margarine
Margarin.
Shortening
Fat that is solid at room temperature, such as margarine or lard (not usually used of butter), used to make shortcrust pastry.
Margarine
A spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter
Shortening
Verbal noun of shorten: the process by which something is made shorter; a reduction in length.
Shortening
Present participle of shorten
Shortening
The act of making or becoming short or shorter.
Shortening
That which renders pastry short or friable, as butter, lard, etc.
Shortening
Fat such as butter or lard used in baked goods
Shortening
Act of decreasing in length;
The dress needs shortening
Common Curiosities
What makes shortening different from other fats?
Shortening has a high melting point and is flavor-neutral, making it ideal for certain baking applications.
What is margarine made of?
Margarine is primarily made from vegetable oils.
Can margarine be used for baking?
Yes, margarine can be used in baking, often as a substitute for butter.
How should margarine be stored?
Margarine should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and freshness.
What is the main use of shortening in baking?
Shortening is used in baking to create tender and flaky textures in pastries and pies.
Does margarine contain dairy?
Some margarines might contain trace amounts of dairy, so it's essential to read labels if dairy is a concern.
Is margarine healthier than butter?
Margarine is often considered healthier than butter due to its lower saturated fat content.
Can shortening be used for frying?
While possible, shortening is generally preferred for baking due to its texture-enhancing properties.
Does margarine taste like butter?
Margarine is designed to mimic the taste and texture of butter, though differences can be noted.
Is margarine available in different forms?
Yes, margarine comes in various forms, including tubs and sticks, to suit different culinary needs.
Is shortening vegan?
Most shortenings are vegan, being made from vegetable fats, but it's important to check the label for any animal-derived ingredients.
Can I substitute shortening for butter in a recipe?
Yes, but it may alter the flavor and texture of the final product, as shortening is flavor-neutral and has different melting properties.
Why is shortening called 'shortening'?
The term comes from its effect on dough, "shortening" it to make it more tender.
How does the melting point of shortening affect baking?
Shortening's high melting point helps maintain the structure of baked goods during the baking process, leading to a desirable texture.
Are there trans fats in margarine and shortening?
Some products may contain trans fats, though many brands now offer trans fat-free options.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
