What to do With Bacon Grease
Bacon is one of the best flavors and nothing beats that delicious fry up or bacon and maple syrup pancakes to get you started in the morning – or any time of the day, for that matter!
But once your plate has been wiped clean, your bacon delight should not end there as there’s a whole host of bacon-y deliciousness just waiting to be had – and it’s still in your frying pan. What may seem to be unusable grease that’s usually thrown away is actually liquid gold to be re-used in a host of ways.
We want to let you into a Kitchenistic secret: bacon grease is the must-have ingredient to flavor up your food…and more! We look at some creative ways for reusing bacon grease.
How to Get Your Bacon Fat
Bacon grease is a delicious food byproduct that can easily be re-used. Not only does the natural fat from your bacon keep your pan moist and those rashers bubbling nicely, it can also be used to pump up the flavor in a host of recipes. But first you need to get it out of the pan and ready to be used or stored.
Rendering or removing the fat from bacon is simple to do, all you need is to cook your rashers slowly over a low to medium heat so the fat can slowly melt from the meat. Once your bacon is cooked, remove it from the pan and let the grease cool. As the grease starts to solidify, scoop it up with a spatula and transfer to a tin or jar and once cool, put on the lid. When it comes how to store bacon grease, the refrigerator is ideal if you are not planning to use it right away.
Does Bacon Grease Go Bad?
When asked do you have to refrigerate bacon grease, we say yes. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bacon grease can last for up to a month before it goes off. But always check the container before using and if it smells unpleasant then throw it out. You can also take steps to prolong the life of your bacon grease, including ensuring you have strained any bacon or food bits out of the liquid grease before it solidifies. Or you can freeze bacon grease by pouring the warm fat into ice cube trays then leave to cool, before popping into the freezer. This way you can also have conveniently sized portions to cook with.
How to Use Bacon Grease
Who knew that fatty residue in the bottom of your fpan could be a delicious ingredient to power up the flavor in your cooking! Here are six ways it can save your bacon when serving up at mealtime:
- Bake with it
Yes, you can – and should – use bacon grease in your baking! The rich fat from bacon is ideal as a replacement for butter or shortening in your baked goods. From biscuits to tortillas and cornbread, the flavor is subtle and adds a whole new taste dimension to your savory bakes. You can even use bacon grease in your sweeter treats such as cookies, just use half bacon grease and half butter for a delicious and very moreish sweet and salty flavor.
- Power up your popcorn
Take the sweet and salty taste sensation even further by powering up your popcorn with the essence of bacon. The ultimate sofa snack, this twist to the usual ‘corn is delicious, you need to trust us on that!
You can go one of two ways with the bacon power when it comes to popcorn and both taste amazing. If you’re a lover of hot, buttery popcorn then take it to the next level by melting your bacon grease and using the hot liquid to coat your freshly popped corn – indulgent, buttery and with a delicious smoky bacon and salty aftertaste. And if you want something extra special, top off with some grated parmesan. Or opt for a sweeter approach by making a caramel, using your bacon grease in place of the usual butter as the caramel base. Once ready, toss your popcorn in the warm caramel mix for a taste sensation that’s nutty, savory and sweet.
- Boost your roast potatoes
Can you really beat roast potatoes? Well try adding bacon grease and then decide! Take the flavor of your mom’s roast potato recipe and give it a smoky bacon twist that is absolutely delish. To bacon boost your potatoes, simply simmer your bacon grease on the stove for a couple of minutes until melted and warm. Now add your diced potatoes to the greasy mix and ensure everything is well covered. Pour your bacon greased potatoes into your roasting tin and roast in the oven as normal. You can also use a little bacon grease on leftover boiled potatoes in the morning, for a scrumptious bacony-potato hash.
- Make baconnaise
Who needs ordinary mayonnaise when you can have the taste sensation that is baconnaise!
With a delicious savory and salty flavor, bacon grease turns this everyday sauce into something special.
When making your own mayonnaise, swap out the olive oil for bacon grease. The fat will need to drizzle, so melt it slowly until liquid, then let cool a little before adding to the eggs, so the whole mixture doesn’t scramble. Lemon juice and a spoonful of Dijon mustard will then bring the baconnaise together. Add to salads, sandwiches or use as a side sauce for a larger meal.
- Add a smoky flavor to your greens
Raise your green vegetables for a special supper side dish, just by adding bacon grease. Sautéed greens such as kale, spinach, cabbage and leeks can be infused with a stunning smoky and salty flavor simply by cooking them in bacon fat. You don’t need much, a spoonful or two will be enough to add bags of bacon deliciousness to the dish.
- Bacon-up your bourbon
And finally, to raise a toast to your new-found love of porcine grease, why not create your own bacon-washed bourbon for an end of meal tipple. Sounds odd but it is a drink to surprise and is also surprisingly easy to do. To make this classic cocktail combine around 1 ½ ounces of hot, melted bacon grease with a 750ml bottle of bourbon then leave for 5-6 hours to infuse. Now pour the contents into a bowl and place in the freezer until the fat has solidified again. You will need to strain the mixture through a piece of cheesecloth to remove the fat and leave only the bacon-flavored bourbon behind. Serve over ice with a bowl of your bacon grease popcorn, and savor.
Sources:
- How to Dispose of Bacon Grease – WikiHow
- 7 Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Grease – My Recipes
