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.
bacon great for making cakes??? yes, the black lady that worked for my family told me that bacon grease was very good in making cakes. it was used in place of shortening or other oils. i have never used it this way….but she is still living and is 88 years old.
In England, when we have a “fry-up” breakfast many people use up the bacon fat from that meal to toss in a couple of slices of bread and fry it on both sides. Delicious, the bread really soaks up the fat. I usually serve mine with the fried egg on top.
My Grandpa always had a covered tin of bacon grease sitting on top of the stove. Oh the food he used to cook and we kids would stand in line to get a taste of it. Grandpa was a real character and he would fry up lebanon baloney or scrapple and drizzle it with maple syrup and we’d all go crazy. I’m not so sure he didn’t put a dab of it on his hair to make him look like a dandy with his snappy white shirt, suspenders and bow tie every single day.♥
Oh my goodness, I can just see him now! What a treasure!!
I have always saved my bacon grease. I use it to deep fry my home made doughnuts. It gives them a deliciousness that no other oil has done. Most people are shocked when I tell them this, but it doesn’t stop them from stuffing hot doughnut after hot doughnut in their mouths. Never even thought of using for popping corn. Where have I been?!?
When I make potato salad I use 1lb of bacon cut up in small pieces before cooking it very slow and all thebacon bits and grease goes into the potato salad. Everybody loves it. My other use is popping popcorn in bacon grease is soooo good. Try it you will like it. Enjoy.
Thanks for sharing your tip Faye!!
Another BG tip. One of the football players Mom’s had her method of making green beans i i have used it ever since i read it over 15 years ago.
For your green beans add a big onion, whole or quartered, 1-2 TBS brown sugar, a dip of BF and half stick of butter. Then put in crock pot or a few hours. . I will at times rinse a can of pintos to add to the green beans AKA shelly beans. You can even put in some pieces of potato in there and come up with a little ham………have a whole dinner with some corn bread. (keep in freezer like my Mama does lately) Green beans in the crock pot are so handy, even if it’s the canned ones (i like the Italian big can or Hanover big can).
Thanks for sharing Susan!!
Some really NEAT bacon grease containers, thanks Christy. Wish i had saved my old one, would be over 45 years old now. I was on a “low fat” kick and these days back to using just enough bacon grease or small amount of butter. Back in the day we would put a stick or half a stick in a can of veg!!
One thing i do is cook cabbage with BG. Using a cast iron enamel coated big skillet, after frying up the bacon, pour off MOST of the drippings into another container. Stick the skillet in your oven or cover it with foil if cabbage is on the menu for supper. Hand chop your fresh cabbage pretty fine, and i usually heat up the bacon flavored skillet, add a little olive oil too……….and fry the cut cabbage in there. Have your choice of liquid on hand to pour over it and steam with a lid on. My liquid could be water or “Better than Bullion” added to water. Put in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar and if you want a tablespoon or so of butter. Let it steam with the lid on for maybe 8-19 minutes on med. You could also add in a little onion or shredded carrot to your cabbage. I love it when the green spring cabbage is in but any will do. If you want to get fancy go with napa or savoy.
I think cabbage is so underappreciated, it kept our hard working kin going.
And bacon grease makes it so yummy, bet that was what they cooked it in too.
Remember the old song “Boil that cabbage down”…..well nowadays we don’t really do that long cooking (and stinky smelling too, ha).