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If you’ve been tossin’ out that bacon grease after frying up a few strips — stop right there, fam! You’re throwin’ away pure flavor gold. Bacon grease is one of those old-school kitchen secrets your grandma probably swore by, and for good reason. It adds a smoky, salty richness that takes your food from “pretty good” to dang, that’s fire!
Today, we’re diving deep into what bacon grease is, how to store it, and all the ways you can use it in your cooking — from breakfast eggs to backyard BBQ. Let’s go!
What Is Bacon Grease?
Bacon grease is just rendered bacon fat — that beautiful liquid that sizzles out while your bacon cooks. Once it cools, it solidifies into a creamy, white fat that’s loaded with smoky, salty flavor.
Think of it as a Southern-style butter alternative — but with attitude. You can use it anywhere you’d use oil or butter: frying, baking, roasting, even seasoning your cast iron skillet. It’s an easy, natural way to build flavor in your cooking.
How to Store Bacon Grease (The Right Way)
Alright, now that you know it’s worth keepin’, let’s talk about how to store bacon grease the right way.
Step 1: Strain It
After you’re done cooking bacon, let the grease cool for a few minutes (don’t burn yourself, now). Then pour it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a heatproof glass jar or metal container. This removes any bacon bits — those little pieces can spoil the grease faster.
Step 2: Store It
- Room Temperature: Good for up to a week if your kitchen’s cool.
- Fridge: Lasts 2–3 months, easy.
- Freezer: Yep, you can freeze it for up to a year. Scoop out what you need when you’re cookin’.
Pro Tip: Use an old-school mason jar or even a bacon grease keeper with a built-in strainer. Label it with the date, and keep it sealed tight.
How to Cook with Bacon Grease
This is where the fun begins. You can use bacon grease in so many ways — here are some of my favorites:
1. Fry or Scramble Eggs
Instead of butter or oil, drop a spoonful of bacon grease in the pan. Your eggs will have that smoky, diner-style flavor that just hits different.
2. Roast Vegetables
Toss potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts in melted bacon grease before roasting. Crispy edges, deep flavor — guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
3. Sauté Greens
Collard greens, kale, or spinach get a huge upgrade when cooked in bacon grease. Add a little onion and garlic and you’ve got a side dish that’ll make Grandma proud.
4. Make Cornbread or Biscuits
Replace the butter or shortening in your recipe with a spoon or two of bacon grease. Adds moisture, depth, and a subtle smokiness that’ll have folks asking what your secret is.
5. Flavor Beans or Soups
A dollop of bacon grease stirred into pinto beans, black-eyed peas, or split pea soup brings that slow-cooked, soulful flavor to the pot.
6. Popcorn Upgrade
Drizzle melted bacon grease over popcorn instead of butter, and hit it with a little sea salt or BBQ seasoning. Trust me, you’ll never go back.
7. Season Your Cast Iron
After cleaning your cast iron skillet, rub a thin layer of bacon grease on it before heating. It helps keep your pan seasoned and ready for action — plus, that aroma?
Bonus: Bacon Grease Recipes You Gotta Try
If you’re ready to start cooking with bacon grease, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Bacon Grease Cornbread: Swap out half the butter for bacon grease. Bake it in your cast iron for that crispy edge.
- Smoky Fried Potatoes: Fry diced potatoes with a tablespoon of bacon grease until golden and crunchy.
- Green Beans with Bacon Grease: Sauté onions and garlic in bacon grease, toss in green beans, and cook until tender. Add crumbled bacon on top for the finish.
- Bacon Grease Gravy: Use it to make your roux for sausage gravy — breakfast game changer.
Tips & Tricks
- If the bacon you cooked was heavily seasoned (like peppered or maple), that flavor will come through in your grease.
- Always strain it to keep it clean and extend its shelf life.
- Don’t pour it down the sink — it’ll clog your drain.
- Mix it with butter or olive oil for extra flavor layers.
Bacon Grease 101
Equipment
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Heatproof glass jar or metal container (with lid)
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon for rendering the grease
Instructions
- Place your bacon in a skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside (you can crumble it later for toppings).
- Let the hot bacon grease sit for 5–10 minutes until it’s warm, not scalding.
- Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over your jar, and carefully pour the grease through to remove any bits or crumbs.
- At room temp: Up to 1 week.
- In the fridge: 2–3 months.
- In the freezer: Up to 1 year.
- Seal the container tightly and label it with the date.
- Use bacon grease anywhere you’d use butter or oil — for frying eggs, roasting veggies, or making next-level cornbread and gravy.
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