My grandparents grew up in the Depression. And like many people who came of age during that time, they are extremely frugal and reuse everything. Foil, Ziplock bags, plastic containers, glass jars, clothes, and anything else they can figure out a way to make last longer than its expected lifetime. If you’re riding in the car and you get thirsty, Grandpa will hand you an old syrup bottle filled with water.
If Grandma sends me a pecan pie, it’s sealed in a Ziplock bag that has also held vegetables, meat and cheese in its long life. You get the idea. And I am not mocking them, I think these are fine traits and in respect to my elders, I also reuse everything at least once. I have a cupboard filled with Chinese-takeout containers that I use to store leftovers–I haven’t had the urge to attend a Tupperware party in years.
And even though as a kid I was always embarrassed that the foil wrapped around my soda on field-trip day was wrinkled from many uses (the other kids always had smooth, shiny foil wrapped around their cans), as a frugal grown-up I reuse foil until it has holes in it, which can take a long time, it being metal and all.
But one of the finest reusable goods comes from a pig. Until I started cooking on my own, I always thought it silly that my mom and grandma poured bacon grease into a jar instead of just dumping it down the sink. They always said you couldn’t throw grease down the sink because it would mess up the pipes.
This may be true, I don’t know. But the real reason they saved the bacon grease is this: because it is the number-one secret ingredient you can use in certain dishes. I spoon it into beans, use a little when frying up eggs or steak, fold a bit into my biscuit dough, sizzle it up for my cornbread, drop a spoonful into my marinara sauce, toss a dollop in my cooked vegetables—anytime I need a little pork pick-me-up, nothing is easier than reaching into my jar of bacon honey (um, yeah, I realize that sounds kind of gross) and adding a pure shot of flavorful delight.)
I don’t know what it is about the stuff, but it’s amazing how so little can add so much luscious, velvety goodness to a dish. It’s not for everything, of course, but when it’s used well it easily lifts the mundane into the sublime.
If you don’t have already have a jar on hand and you cook bacon, next time you fry up a skillet, after the grease cools (wait at least half an hour) pour it into a container. I use an old mason jar, but you can use plastic, too.
The key is to make sure it’s at least room temperature or your container will either explode or melt. Store it in a cool place and it will last a long time. Don’t become frustrated if at first it doesn’t look like much. Just keep cooking bacon and you’ll soon have a substantial sum. And be sure and scrape the pan for the bacon bits, they add even more flavor.
Do you use use bacon grease? If you do, what dishes do you enhance with its scrumptiousness?
FAQs
They always said you couldn't throw grease down the sink because it would mess up the pipes. This may be true, I don't know. But the real reason they saved the bacon grease is this: because it is the number-one secret ingredient you can use in certain dishes.
Why did people used to save bacon grease? ›
Sure, saving bacon grease might sound strange, but it has its fair share of perks. Not only does it keep food from sticking to your pan, but it also pumps up the flavor when added to eggs, potatoes, greens, cornbread and other recipes. You can even bake chocolate chip bacon grease cookies.
Do people still save bacon grease? ›
After cooking a big pan of bacon, DO NOT throw out that leftover bacon grease. That rendered fat is liquid gold and can be used to season greens, beans, rice dishes, saute vegetables, make dressings, etc. But you'll need to clean it first to filter out any extra pieces of meat or fat.
Can I store bacon grease in a plastic container? ›
Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work well, as do plastic containers with screw-on lids. Make sure to label the container with the date so you know how fresh it is. Bacon grease will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. Frozen bacon grease will last longer than fresh bacon grease, use in a few months.
How did Cowboys keep bacon from spoiling? ›
Usually, thick slabs of smoked bacon would keep as long as it was protected form the hot temperatures. One way to preserve bacon was to pack it inside a barrel of bran. Also, eggs could be protected by packing them in barrels of corn meal – as the eggs were used up, the meal was used to make bread.
What are the benefits of saving bacon grease? ›
Known for its savory and smoky taste, it is an excellent addition to various recipes. One reason to save bacon grease is the unique flavor it imparts to dishes that are cooked with it. Using its drippings give meals a depth of taste that is difficult to replicate with other fats or oils.
Does bacon grease go bad if not refrigerated? ›
Though previous generations of home chefs kept bacon grease on the counter, experts recommend storing yours in the refrigerator or the freezer. "It's best to not keep the bacon grease at room temperature because any microparticles of the bacon can cause the grease to go rancid," says Abbott.
Why did they save fat during WWII? ›
The American Fat Salvage Committee launched an aggressive advertising campaign urging housewives to save every bit of excess fat from cooking and donate it to the war effort, as fats were needed in the production of glycerin, and glycerin was needed to blow things up.
Can bacon go bad? ›
The most notable sign of rancid bacon is a change in appearance. Bacon that has gone bad doesn't retain its redness and will instead take on a brown, gray, or greenish hue, and the color itself will seem faded. Rancid bacon also takes on an unpleasant odor and may become sticky or slimy.
Is bacon grease healthy? ›
So a lot of the unhealthy stuff associated with bacon isn't necessarily in bacon fat. And surprisingly, it does has some healthy qualities. Like canola and olive oil, bacon fat is high in oleic acid, which is thought to reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels, Quinn said. Also, bacon fat simply tastes great.
You can also deep-fry or pan-fry croutons or potatoes in bacon fat, if that's more your speed.
Should I throw away bacon grease? ›
Line a cup (or even the sink drain itself) well with heavy-duty foil. Carefully pour the hot fat into it and let it harden (or, if using a cup, place the cup in the freezer). Once the fat hardens, wrap the foil around the fat and toss it in the trash.
Can you save bacon grease in a Mason jar? ›
To safely store bacon grease, you must first get rid of any small bits of bacon that are left behind: Place a coffee filter or cheesecloth over the mouth of a glass container, like a Mason jar, or a container made for bacon drippings. Press the filter down so that it fits snugly inside the mouth of the jar.
Does bacon grease go bad in the freezer? ›
The best place to safely store bacon grease is in the refrigerator. Keeping grease in the refrigerator will also help it last longer; you can keep bacon grease in the refrigerator for three to six months and in the freezer indefinitely.
Can you freeze bacon? ›
Their recommendation is that unopened bacon only be frozen up to one month. To freeze unopened bacon, overwrap the store package with heavy duty foil or other freezer wrapping, being sure to push all the air out of the package and tightly close the wrapping around the inside package.
Is it necessary to strain bacon grease? ›
Pour the warm (not hot) grease through the strainer, which will catch all the pieces. You really don't want to skip this step: If you don't strain out the solid bits, the fat will go rancid quicker. Seal tightly and store in the fridge or freezer.
What is the purpose of bacon grease? ›
Bacon Grease for Nutrition
Use Bacon Fat as a Preservative: Fat seals the air out, which prevents food from spoiling. Cover hot food in a crock or mason jar with a layer of melted bacon grease and let it stand until the fat has hardened. The seal will help keep your food fresh longer.
What does strange bacon grease do? ›
Use this on a Frying Pan to make it track the number of enemies you kill with it. Normal Frying Pans will be upgraded to Strange quality.
Why can't we dump the bacon grease down the sink? ›
In reality, grease should never go down the drain. Even if it's hot and easy to pour out of the pan, it will eventually cool and solidify somewhere in your plumbing. This causes a gummy, goopy mess to form along the pipe walls, trapping other debris that flows down the drain.
