Join 50,000+ subscribers for German recipes, stories, traditions & more!

German Pork Lard With Cracklings (Schmaltz / Griebenschmalz)

German schmaltz in small white bowlsJan's recipe for making Schmaltz, just like they have in Germany. Actually, quite easy to make at home.

If you've been looking for a schmaltz recipe, you're not alone! Thankfully, Jan Neumann, one of our Facebook fans, sent in this one, along with photos. He made these to use as gifts for Christmas. (What an awesome idea!)

The recipe's in German, and I've copied it below just the way he sent it. Perfect to practice your German, but I'll translate it below. Normally, it's something that's easy to buy in Germany and used as both a sandwich spread as well as a 'fat' for cooking. 

Jan's is a bit different than what my Mutti made. His is a flavored one, lightly spiced. This surely would be wonderful on some of my freshly baked sourdough bread. 

Tips on making this

  • Jan said that this will keep about 3 months in the fridge, so, unless you are making this as a gift, you may want to divide the recipe into half or less. Just adjust the amounts accordingly.
  • Using a "hand full" as a measure is very popular in Germany. However, one needs to be careful, since hands are different sizes :) I'd probably start with a 'small' handful  and then add more if needed.
  • You can always remove some of the hot schmaltz onto a little plate to let it cool to check if it has enough seasoning. If not, then re-season the hot batch, if necessary.

In the collage below in the lower right, you'll see what Jan uses for schweinespeck and schwieneschmalz. At the top, the hot schmaltz, and at the bottom, ready to eat.

How to make schmaltz at homeMaking griebenschmaltz with Jan! He does this recipe just wonderfully, deliciously, and best of all, German!

I recall my Mutti making this when we were little. My Papa would spread it liberally on his rye bread sandwich and sprinkle it liberally with celery salt. Heavenly!!!!

From Oma's heart to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

Just Like Oma cookbooks

Jan's Schmaltz Recipe — just the way he wrote it ...

  • Für diese Ladung habe ich 1,5 kg Schweinespeck gewürfelt, im großen Topf ausgelassen, bis die Speckwürfel klein und braun werden, dann 15 gewürfelte Zwiebeln dran getan und 1,5 kg Schweineschmalz.
  • Dazu eine Handvoll Salz, zwei Handvoll Majoran, 15 Pimentkörner, 3 kleine Lorbeerblätter und zehn gewürfelte Äpfel.
  • Das wird alles gekocht, bis die Zwiebeln braun werden, ca eine reichliche halbe Stunde.
  • Wenn das dann in den kleinen Töpfchen ausgekühlt ist, kann man das als Brotaufstrich essen, mit Röstzwiebeln und saurer Gurke drauf, das heißt in Sachsen "Fettbemme" :-D Oder man nimmt es zum kochen, z. B. an Rotkraut :-)

Here's the English for Jan's Schmaltz

Oktoberfest cookbook desktop ad
Oktoberfest cookbook mobile ad

Jan's Schmaltz Recipe (Griebenschmalz): German Pork Lard With Cracklings

If you've been looking for a schmaltz recipe, you're not alone! Thankfully, Jan Neumann, one of our Facebook fans, sent in this one. Normally, it's something that's easy to buy in Germany and used as both a sandwich spread as well as a 'fat' for cooking. 

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

40 minutes

Total Time:

50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3⅓ pounds slab bacon (not too lean), diced
  • 15 onions (cooking size), diced
  • 3⅓ pounds lard
  • handful salt
  • 2 handfuls marjoram
  • 15 allspice berries
  • 3 small bay leaves
  • 10 apples, diced

Instructions:

  1. In a large cooking pot, cook the cubed slab bacon until the pieces are small and lightly browned.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking until the onions have browned, about half an hour.
  3. Ladle into jars (see photo for quantity) and let cool.
  4. Use as a sandwich spread with caramelized onions and sour pickles on the side, or use it when making red cabbage, etc.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

What’s for Dinner?
Let Oma help! Join my Kaffeeklatsch for easy German recipes and a little taste of Germany in your inbox.
 
You’ll also get my free Most Popular Recipes ebook right away.
 
Thanks for joining!
Keep your eyes on your inbox for my email. 

Follow Oma on Social Media:

Buy Me Coffee - thank you!

Comments?  Questions?

You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Recent Articles

  1. Cucumber and Dill Pickle Salad (Gurkensalat mit Gewürzgurken)

    Sep 27, 26 01:04 AM

    Cucumber dill pickle salad in white bowl with fork on the side
    This cucumber salad with pickles is creamy, crunchy, and full of fresh flavor. It makes an easy side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite German-inspired meals.

    Read More

  2. Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe – Oma's Champignon-Cremesuppe Rezept.

    Sep 27, 26 12:27 AM

    Cream of mushroom soup recipe
    Looking for cream of mushroom soup recipe? Here's a quick one that's so delicious. AND, a super quick one you'll love to make!

    Read More

  3. Easy Cream of Celery Soup Recipe – Oma's Selleriesuppe Rezept*

    Sep 26, 26 10:51 PM

    Oma's celery soup is a wonderful hearty meal
    This creamy German Cream of Celery Soup recipe makes a wonderful light supper. Serve a salad on the side, some crispy crackers, and fruit to finish, and you'll have a happy and satisfied family!

    Read More

Jan's recipe for making Schmaltz, just like they have in Germany.

Words to the Wise

"Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest."

Proverbs 26:1 (NLT)

Across media platforms, the Just Like Oma family of websites are celebrated for making German cooking, travel, and heritage fun & simple to understand, and easily accessible for everyone!

  • BuzzFeed logo
  • Delish logo
  • Food & Dining logo
  • Samsung Food logo
  • Solo Build It! Blog logo
  • Tasting Table logo
  • Babbel logo
  • South Florida Sun Sentinel logo
  • BBC logo
  • Page Street Publishing logo
  • dasFenster logo
  • Business Insider logo
  • Rick Steeves Europe logo
  • Northwest Culinary Institute logo
  • FluentU logo
  • UK Podcasts logo
  • Canadian Cookbooks
  • Wikipedia logo
Oma Gerhild

Thanks for checking out this website and all the recipes. I hope you’ve found something wunderbar to make!

Let's continue the conversation... join me on your favorite social channel as we discover how making delicious German food can be simple and fun!

Tschüss!

Oma Gerhild
Quick German Recipes - Just Like Oma

Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | A Fulson Media Group Inc. Brand | All Rights Reserved

Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes is a brand of Fulson Media Group Inc., which participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. Additionally this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. We do not promote products we do not own or would not buy ourselves. Our goal is to provide you with product information and our own personal opinions or ideas. At times, we will showcase services, programs, and products. We aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Throughout this site, you'll find mostly photos that we've taken in our kitchen(s). We also feature some reader-contributed images and curated stock IMAGES BY Deposit Photos and others, offering further perspectives on recipes and all things German.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.

Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information