15 Uses For Bacon Grease

Today we’re talking about the many uses for bacon grease in the kitchen, plus the answers to the questions folks always ask about saving it and using it later.

Oh, the wonders of bacon grease.

Southerners are known for our love of bacon grease and the zeal with which we save this “liquid gold.” But I’ve found a lot of folks are saving bacon fat without really knowing what to do with it. So I decided to put all my favorite uses in one place, along with how it was used back in the day and how to store bacon grease safely now. 

Note: Keep in mind that bacon itself is processed meat, so it is important to limit it or for some completely eliminate it in the diet. Some people have to avoid it altogether. This post is strictly for informational purposes and since none of us at southernplate.com are dieticians, doctors, or nutritionists we always encourage you to follow your health professional’s guidance about what the best diet is for you. 

The same goes for cooking with homemade bacon grease. It’s probably not a great idea to use straight-up bacon fat with every meal you make that needs oil. You could if you are allowed to in your eating plan use it when you are sauteing vegetables or in baking and combine it with a dash of olive oil or coconut oil too.

Before You Start Saving Bacon Grease

• Keep one dedicated container: Have one specific container just for bacon grease and do not mix other greases into it. 
• Let it cool slightly first: Allow it to cool a bit before pouring into your container so you do not risk cracking glass or splattering.
• Strain it if you want it to last longer: Many people strain theirs. You can use a cheesecloth for draining or an unbleached coffee filter works too. 
• Fridge or freezer is best these days: Bacon grease used to sit by the stove because it was used and replenished constantly. Most of us are not using it that fast anymore, so the refrigerator or freezer helps keep it from going rancid.

How to Store Bacon Grease

Allow it to cool slightly and then pour it into a container. It is important to have one specific container for just bacon grease and make sure not to put any other type of grease in it. Many people strain theirs too. You can use a cheesecloth for draining or an unbleached coffee filter works too. 

I enjoy all those little yummy bits of bacon and since I store mine in the fridge or freezer, they’re fine in there. My grandmother always kept a metal soup can on the back of her stove with her grease in it. 

Bonus tip: Refrigerated bacon grease solidifies and becomes the consistency of shortening, making it super easy to measure and scoop out whatever you need for recipes.

15 Uses for Bacon Grease

There are so many ways to use leftover bacon grease, including when you make cornbread. 

1. Substitute for oils in recipes and in frying

Bacon grease is the perfect cooking fat and can be used in place of oils like olive oil or vegetable oil in recipes and in frying. 

2. Grease muffin tins or cast iron skillets for bread dishes

Before you put your cornbread or hoecake batter in that skillet, grease it with a little solidified bacon fat. To make this mess-free, fold a paper towel in fourths and cover your index and middle finger with it. Dip your covered fingers into the bacon grease and wipe the inside of your skillet. Toss the paper towel away when done. 

3. Make milk gravy

Milk gravy begins with a base of two tablespoons of bacon grease. Heat them in a large skillet, add two or three tablespoons of flour, and cook until flour is browned. Slowly add milk while stirring constantly and continue cooking until gravy is thickened over medium heat. 

4. Make cornbread

Many cornbread recipes call for a tablespoon or so of melted bacon grease added to the batter for extra flavor. This makes such a big difference that it’s worth saving your bacon grease for cornbread alone. You can also add it to biscuits and a homemade pie crust as well to make them extra flaky. 

5. Season dried beans

Traditionally we season beans in the South with a ham bone or bits of ham. If you find yourself without any of these, just add two or three tablespoons of bacon grease to the cooking water and they’ll taste just as good. 

6. Make fried corn

Fried corn is often called creamed corn. No matter what you call it, adding a tablespoon of bacon grease makes it better than ever and enhances the smoky flavor. 

7. Add it to any vegetable side dish

Whether they’re from the can, garden, or freezer, green beans taste just like Grandma’s when you add a tablespoon of bacon grease. Just about any type of vegetable can be made better with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of bacon grease added while cooking. Try it with cabbage or I’ve even seen folks fry green tomatoes in it. 

Another option is to fry up some bacon and set the cooked bacon aside. Pour a little bit of the hot bacon drippings over fresh dark greens and then top with crumbled bacon bits for a wilted lettuce salad like we had in the old days. 

8. Fry eggs

I really and truly will not make fried eggs without a little bacon grease for added bacon flavor. I place a tablespoon or so in my skillet and let it melt, then fry my eggs in it. 

9. Make oven-fried potatoes

Spread some bacon grease into the bottom of a jelly roll pan. Cut potatoes into long wedges with the skin still on them and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place on top of the bacon grease and put in a 400-degree oven until browned, about 45 minutes to an hour. Turn every 15 minutes so they get evenly brown and the bottoms have the chance to oven fry in that delicious grease. 

10. Spread it on toast

Yep, bacon grease tastes absolutely delicious spread on a piece of crusty sourdough or even cinnamon raisin bread. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. 

11. Drizzle it on popcorn

If you’re a savory popcorn fan, heat up a bit of bacon grease on the stove or in the microwave and drizzle it over your popcorn. 

12. Add it to your pancake batter

Pancake and bacon go together like peanut butter and jelly. Add a tablespoon to your pancake batter or spread it on top before you drizzle with maple syrup. 

13. Use it for simple stovetop cooking

If you need a little fat in the skillet for browning, bacon grease is a handy option when it fits your cooking plan. A small spoonful goes a long way for sautéing. 

14. Use it when you want that old-fashioned flavor

This is the reason folks kept it by the stove in the first place. It was used the way we might use oil today, just in smaller amounts and more often. 

15. Fry grilled cheese

Make the best grilled cheese ever by frying it in bacon grease rather than butter. 

FAQs on Bacon Grease

Does turkey bacon grease work just as well as regular bacon?

With turkey bacon, you will typically have less grease because there is less fat. So although it works very well for the uses described above, I often add a bit of olive oil or coconut oil when I am using it. Both bring some additionally great flavors. 

Where do you store bacon grease?

Bacon grease is traditionally stored on the stovetop or next to the stove, but nowadays it’s recommended to store it in the refrigerator or freezer. If left on the counter indefinitely, bacon grease will go rancid. This used to not be a problem because it was used and replenished so often back in the old days. But now that we aren’t using it as often, it’s best to store it safely in the fridge or freezer. 

How long does bacon grease last?

When stored in the fridge, bacon grease lasts for up to three months. 

Can you freeze bacon grease?

Yes, bacon grease can last indefinitely in the freezer if sealed well. Every now and then a jar will fill up and I just seal it and put it in the freezer. Then, I start another jar in the fridge. It never hurts to have extra. 

How do you know if bacon grease has gone bad?

• Color: Has it changed color? Don’t trust it if it has. Blue, green, gray, or brown tinge in the fat definitely indicates rotten fat. Throw it away if you see any of that. 
• Smell: Does it smell different than bacon? If yes, don’t use it. Once it goes bad it can smell sour, fishy, or have a rotten-like smell. When in doubt, throw it out. 
• Texture: Touch it with a clean finger. If it’s slimy or sticky then do not use it. 
• Mold: If you do see mold, say see ya later alligator.

At the end of the day, saving bacon grease is just one more good kitchen habit that can stretch your groceries and add a little extra flavor when you need it. The main thing is keeping it clean, storing it in the fridge or freezer, and using it in small amounts where it really shines.

If you’ve already got a jar going, I hope this gave you a few new ways to put it to work. And if you’re just starting one, don’t overthink it. Save it, label it if you need to, and let it earn its spot in your kitchen the same way it did in so many Southern homes for generations.