How To Store and Use Excess Bacon Grease (2024)

FAQs

How To Store and Use Excess Bacon Grease? ›

I keep mine in a glass jar in the fridge. If there aren't bacon bits in it, it won't really go bad as the fat itself is a preservative (like duck confit). I usually also keep a pan with a little bacon grease in it and that is what I cook my eggs in for the next few days. Finally, you can freeze bacon grease.

You can use excess bacon grease to fry up almost anything that you cook on the stove. Add a scoop of your preserved bacon grease to the pan when frying eggs, rice, vegetables, hash browns, grilled cheese, burgers, and more to add a savory accent to the meal.

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.

Whether you cook your bacon on the stovetop or in the oven, you can save the grease for future use. "Pan-frying gives little room for error with collecting bacon grease, because even a few burned solids will impart a burned flavor and dark color to the grease," says Chavez.

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.

If you ask us, the most delicious sunny-side up eggs aren't fried in butter or oil — but rather an unexpected ingredient: bacon grease. 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.

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.

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.

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.

No. You should never throw used frying oil outside. It may seem harmless, but the grease will still eventually end up in the sewer system and cause clogs and other issues. Dumping your used cooking oil into the ground is bad for the environment and is also detrimental to surrounding wildlife.

Is bacon grease better than olive oil? ›

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.

Why is Butter better than Bacon Grease? Substantially more proteins per 100g. Measurably more niacin per 100g. Noticeably higher water content per 100g.

Compared to bacon fat, vegetable oil contains significantly less saturated fat and no cholesterol. It also contains monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and promote heart health.

Bacon grease can replace butter, oil or other fats in recipes. It has a low smoke point, though, so it's not good for high-heat cooking. But it's great for roasting, moderate sauteing, and baking. Bacon grease livens up savory dishes, but don't limit yourself.