How to Store Bacon Grease: 5 Ways to Use Bacon Fat

Bacon fat, also known as bacon grease or bacon drippings, is a byproduct of cooking bacon slowly in the oven or on the stovetop. Bacon grease becomes semi-solid at room temperature, and the best method of preservation is to store it in the refrigerator.

Bacon fat has a smoky flavor, and you can use this butter-like cooking ingredient for baking, sautés, roasting vegetables, and a gravy base. Unlike margarine, bacon grease does not contain trans fat (a form of fat associated with negative health risks) and has higher monounsaturated fat (healthy fats from plant and animal foods) than traditional butter.

The next time you cook a package of bacon, take these steps to save and store your homemade bacon fat:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil: Lining the sheet will make cleanup easier and prevent the bacon grease from going down your sink drain.
• Use a baking rack: Place a baking rack on top of your baking sheet, and cook your bacon on it, so the pool of bacon grease collects on the foil-covered baking sheet.
• Strain: Place a strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter over the mouth of your grease container to remove any bits of bacon from the rendered fat.
• Transfer to an airtight container: While it’s still warm, transfer the bacon grease to a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel container. If poured into plastic, the hot grease will melt or warp the container. Once transferred, allow the contents to cool to room temperature before covering.
• Cover and refrigerate: Secure the grease container lid and keep it refrigerated for food safety. The shelf life for refrigerated bacon grease is approximately three months. To be safe, always smell the grease before using it because it can turn rancid during storage. You can also store bacon fat indefinitely in the freezer.

Bacon grease is a tasty substitute for butter and margarine in several recipes.

1. 1. Use it to sauté veggies: Bacon grease adds an extra dimension of flavor to everything from proteins to fresh veggies. Simmer your green beans with bacon fat and bacon bits or roast asparagus with a few tablespoons in the oven.
2. 2. Add it to homemade bread: Bacon grease can amp up the flavor of a traditional loaf of country bread, or you can use it to toast hearty wheat bread for a crispy grilled cheese sandwich. Add a few tablespoons of bacon grease to your cornbread or biscuit mix for a smoky flavor.
3. 3. Mix it into loaded mashed potatoes: Swap the butter in your recipe for mashed potatoes with bacon grease. Toss in shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives for an added punch of flavor.
4. 4. Season your cast-iron skillet: After the initial wash, use a paper towel to coat your cast-iron skillet with bacon grease before letting it bake in the oven.
5. 5. Make scrambled eggs: Coat your pan with bacon fat before cracking your eggs instead of cooking spray.

Pouring bacon grease or other cooking oils down the kitchen sink can cause serious plumbing issues. The grease—whether hot or cold—will coat the pipes and eventually cause clogs or backups. For proper disposal of refrigerated bacon fat, simply scoop it into the trash with a spoon or spatula.

If the bacon grease is hot, allow it to solidify in a glass jar before disposing of it in the trash. For easy removal, line the glass jar with aluminum foil before pouring in the grease.

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. While you can purchase bacon fat and lard at the grocery store, you can make your own grease at home for that authentic flavor.

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