Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Lard in Spanish: Manteca
Manteca · noun (feminine) · mahn-TEH-kah
The Spanish word for lard is 'manteca,' a feminine noun referring to rendered pig fat used in cooking and baking. In Argentina and Uruguay, 'manteca' means butter rather than lard, so the specification 'manteca de cerdo' clarifies the meaning. Lard remains a foundational ingredient in traditional Mexican and Central American cuisine.
Pronounce it mahn-TEH-kah, with three syllables and stress on the second. The word is straightforward to pronounce for English speakers.
Mi abuela siempre usa manteca de cerdo para hacer las tortillas de harina.
My grandmother always uses lard to make flour tortillas.
Lard in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for lard, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| manteca | lard | mahn-TEH-kah | Default, widely understood |
| manteca de cerdo | lard | specifies pork lard to distinguish from other fats |
How Native Speakers Use Manteca
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Traditional baking
Los tamales quedan más suaves cuando se preparan con manteca.
Tamales turn out softer when made with lard.
Sharing a cooking tip for a traditional dish.
Recipe instruction
Derrite dos cucharadas de manteca de cerdo en la sartén.
Melt two tablespoons of lard in the frying pan.
Following a step in a traditional recipe.
Shopping comparison
Prefiero comprar manteca pura en vez de la hidrogenada.
I prefer to buy pure lard instead of hydrogenated.
Choosing between fat options at the store.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Manteca
Confusing manteca with mantequilla
Incorrect: Unta manteca en el pan (meaning lard on bread).
Correct: Unta mantequilla en el pan.
In most of Latin America, 'mantequilla' means butter (for spreading on bread), while 'manteca' means lard (used for cooking), though in Argentina 'manteca' does mean butter.
Regional ambiguity in Argentina
Incorrect: Necesito manteca para freír (in Argentina).
Correct: Necesito grasa de cerdo para freír.
In Argentina, 'manteca' means butter, so saying 'grasa de cerdo' or 'manteca de cerdo' is necessary to specify rendered pork fat.
Lock in Lard Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Manteca used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Lard in Spanish
- Does 'manteca' mean lard everywhere?
- In most of Latin America and Spain, 'manteca' refers to pork lard, but in Argentina and Uruguay it means butter, which is why specifying 'manteca de cerdo' avoids confusion across regions.
- Is lard still used in modern Mexican cooking?
- Traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, refried beans, and flour tortillas still rely on lard for their distinctive flavor and texture, though some cooks substitute vegetable shortening for dietary reasons.
- What is the difference between manteca and grasa?
- The word 'manteca' specifically refers to rendered pork fat used in cooking, while 'grasa' is the general term for fat or grease, encompassing animal fats, oils, and even body fat.