I share why bacon grease is GOLD along with the best ways to use it to take many foods and recipes to a whole new level of deliciousness!!!
Why bacon grease is gold.
Most avid cooks know that bacon grease is gold. It seasons food like nothing else, and it makes cooking “Southern-style” a piece of cake. It is not something that you can run to the store and purchase (like shortening). This is why saving bacon grease is so important. It is easy, and it pays huge dividends in the kitchen!
Is bacon grease bad for you?
Bacon fat is higher in monounsaturated fat (the good fat) than butter. Unlike margarine, bacon grease does NOT contain trans fat (aka “bad fat”). A comparison between a tablespoon of bacon grease, butter, and canola oil isquite interesting. Bacongrease has slightly less cholesterol than butter and only 2 more milligrams of saturated fat. It has the same number of calories as the oil, but more saturated fat and sodium.
Tips for cooking bacon and saving the grease.
Use your largest baking sheet (I use this extra-large USA ) to cook all the bacon at once. Place one large or two smaller cooking grids (these are an excellent choice ) onto the baking sheet. The bacon will cook evenly and grease will fall onto the pan (and bacon won’t be swimming in grease).
Line the baking sheet with heavy-duty foil before placing baking grids on the sheet. This will make clean-up way easier.
I cook most of my bacon in a 400-degree oven. If you are cooking thick-cut bacon, a lower oven temperature works better. I cook thick-cut and uneven bacon at 350 degrees.
I like to check my bacon after 10–15 minutes of baking. When it’s close to being done, I start checking it every few minutes. Bacon can burn very quickly once it is to the “almost done” stage.
It works best if you pour the grease out of the pan while it’s still warm. If you’re using a plastic container to hold the grease, make sure to wait until it cools a bit, otherwise, it will warp or melt the plastic.
If you like, you can flip your bacon halfway through the cooking time and rotate the pan so that it will cook more evenly. Most ovens have hot spots and are also hotter in the back, so this might help make baking more uniform.
How to make your own pre-cooked bacon.
If you want to have bacon (and bacon grease) readily available, consider making your own precooked bacon. In this short video below, I share how to make pre-cooked bacon in the oven to avoid having to make it before guests arrive. After all, even those of us who love bacon are not fans of the lingering smell after cooking it.
How to store bacon grease.
Once bacon grease is poured into a bowl, strain it to remove any burnt bacon particles. Pour grease into a glass or heatproof container. Strain if needed to remove bits. Cover and keep in the fridge.
How to dispose of bacon grease.
Pouring bacongrease or any cooking oil down the sink drain can cause major plumbing problems that can affect the entire sewer system in a home. Not only can grease cause backups and clogs, but it builds up over time and coat pipes. The best way to dispose of bacon grease is to let it solidify. Then put the solid fat in a container that won’t leak if the grease melts. Below are several options for disposable grease storage bags.
Some of the best ways to use bacon grease.
Southern-style peas. I love to saute chopped onion in a bit of bacon grease for Southern-style peas or beans. Here’s how I make peas in the Instant Pot. I share another recipe for perfect lack-eyed peas in this blog post.
Green beans. I can’t imagine green beans without bacon and/or bacon grease. Here how I use them in my recipe for Mississippi Green Beans.
Pancakes or waffles.Bacon and maple syrup are a winning flavor combo. You can either stir a tablespoon or two of liquid bacon fat into your pancake batter or add a bit of bacon grease to soft butter to make a spreadable bacon-flavored butter.
Cornbread, biscuits, pie crust. Bacon grease adds flavor to bread that just can’t be imparted through shortening or other oils. Cornbread is especially next-level if bacon grease is added.
Gravy. Use a mixture of bacon and butter instead of ordinary butter for making biscuit dough.
Salad dressing: Spinach salad if often served with a warm bacon vinaigrette made of apple or red wine vinegar and bacon grease. The vinaigrette is best made with warm bacon fat; otherwise, it might turn solid and ruin.
Skillet potatoes or hash browns.Savory breakfast potatoes or hash browns can be sauteed using bacon grease instead of butter or oil. I always reach for bacon grease to make breakfast potatoes taste richer and smokier.
Greens (collards, turnips, or mustard). Use a smidge of bacon grease to cook fabulous Southern greens. Here’s my Instant Pot greens recipe; here is my stovetop version.
Steak or burgers. If you fry up a burger on the stovetop or make a skillet sizzling steak, bacon fat is one of the best fats to use for flavor.
Bacon & eggs. Bacon and eggs are a perfect flavor duo. Make your bacon first, and use the leftover grease to cook the eggs. YUM!!!
Steamed or roasted veggies: Before you roast or grill veggies, try tossing them in melted bacon fat instead of EVOO.
Season cast iron. After you wash your cast iron, dry it well with a clean cloth. While the pan is warm, add a touch of bacon grease and rub it in with a paper towel to keep the skillet smooth and seasoned.
Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash. Bacon grease can add richness to mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash. A little dab will go a long way.
I hope this post has been helpful to you as you cook bacon, save the grease, and use it to make food taste next-level delicious!!! As always, feel free to leave comments or share your own tips below. I am so grateful to you for stopping by. Wishing you a joyful, blessed, and savvy day!!!
Bacon grease is full of flavor and will add a smoky taste to just about any vegetable you cook it with. It's also really good used in fried potatoes! Baking with it is also a really great way to elevate flavors. You can use bacon grease instead of butter or shortening in your savory baked goods.
The chefs recommend using bacon fat for a variety of dishes, including fried eggs, refried beans, roasted and sauteed vegetables, and vinaigrettes. "I especially like using it for a warm salad dressing on top of a classic bistro frisee salad, which includes bacon lardons and a poached egg on top," says Chavez.
Bacon grease, often called "liquid gold," has been a cherished ingredient in culinary traditions for generations. Its unique flavor and versatility make it a valuable component in a variety of dishes. Still, there are also health considerations to keep in mind when deciding to save and use it.
Although many of us grew up with relatives who stored their bacon grease in a jar or can set on the counter or on the back of the stovetop, food safety experts don't recommend storing it that way now. Instead, store bacon grease in the refrigerator (up to 3 months) or freezer (indefinitely).
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.
It turns out that cooking eggs in bacon fat (or "liquid gold" as we like to call it) allows the edges to become crispy and ensures the yolk stays soft and tender. The grease also infuses the eggs with a salty and smoky flavor, eliminating the need to add tons of salt afterwards.
Pour fats into a container, like a coffee can, and allow them to cool and harden. Pro tip: Open soup or vegetable cans, or baby food, pickle, and mayo jars, also make good disposable containers. Put your filled container into the freezer to help it cool even faster. When cooled, simply toss the container in the trash.
Sure, bacon fat gets a bad rap for its cholesterol level compared to “healthier” fats like olive oil, but calorie for calorie, they're virtually the same. And while olive oil likes to boast that it's more heart healthy, bacon fat is fine with that, because it brings loads more flavor to the table.
The fats in bacon are about 50% monounsaturated and a large part of those is oleic acid. This is the same fatty acid that olive oil is praised for and generally considered “heart-healthy” ( 1 ). Then about 40% is saturated fat, accompanied by a decent amount of cholesterol.
You can tell if your bacon grease has gone bad by checking the smell or color. We may refer to bacon grease as liquid gold, but if you notice your stored bacon grease turns from white to yellow, it's time to throw it away! Also, if it has a sour, fishy, or unpleasant odor, it needs to go in the trash.
Stored grease typically lasts one to two months in the cupboard and potentially several months if it's refrigerated. Cool, dark places are ideal for storage. If it looks gummy or turns food soggy, it shouldn't be consumed.
Dab a bit of bacon grease on a rag and rub it into your shoes, belts, and equipment straps to condition and nourish the leather. Waterproofing: You can use bacon fat as a water-repellent on boots, tents, waders, rain gear, and most other types of leather and canvas equipment.
A nutritional comparison between a tablespoon of bacon grease, butter and canola oil is kind of surprising. The grease has slightly less cholesterol than the butter, and only 2 more milligrams of saturated fat. It has the same number of calories as the oil, but tons more saturated fat and sodium.
While they come from the same animal, bacon fat and lard differ in taste and function. Bacon fat has a smoky taste, while lard—rendered fat from the pig—has a neutral flavor. You can use bacon fat to add flavor to baked goods, gravies, and sautés, but lard primarily adds texture to fried or baked foods.
Bacon fat can take the heat. While its smoke point isn't as high as frying oils like canola, it's perfectly suitable for sauteing and baking – the rich, smoky flavor stays intact. I like to combine it with olive oil or vegetable oil to give my dishes a hint of bacon flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
The overarching rule of thumb when it comes to grease and oil disposal is don't pour it down a drain. Toilets, sinks, and floor drains are all off-limits as gluey oils and animal fats will destroy your plumbing. Instead, turn to your garbage can.
Use Bacon Up Bacon Grease instead of butter, shortening, oil, even mayonnaise in almost any recipe. You love how it amps up the flavor in all your favorites from commonplace to irresistible! And it's PERFECT for cast-iron cookware, griddles, deep fryers, and more.
Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy
Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
