Cody Casey
Bacon grease is often viewed as a waste product, but it can be reused and recycled for a variety of cooking, cocktail, and cookware purposes. The grease can be stored and reused multiple times, although it is recommended to limit reuse to a few times as continued reheating can negatively impact the taste and quality of the grease and your food. The grease can be stored in a variety of containers, including glass jars, metal cans, and even ice cube trays, and can be used to add flavor to dishes such as cornbread, burgers, and scrambled eggs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse bacon grease | Yes, but clean and filter it first to remove extra pieces of meat or fat |
| Storage | Store in a glass jar, metal can, or a mason jar in the refrigerator or freezer |
| Shelf life | 3-4 months in the refrigerator, indefinitely in the freezer |
| Uses | Seasoning for greens, beans, rice dishes, saute vegetables, dressings, pie crust, scrambled eggs, stir fry, cornbread, bourbon, meat dishes, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Storing bacon grease in the refrigerator or freezer
Bacon grease is a precious ingredient, adding a smoky, savory depth to recipes like skillet cornbread, succotash, biscuits, pastas, and cooked vegetables. It is best to store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Storing bacon grease in the refrigerator
Bacon grease can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 months. It is best to store it in a glass or metal container with a tight-fitting lid. You can use a mason jar, a container made for bacon drippings, or a glass jar.
Before storing, make sure to strain the grease to remove any bacon particles. You can use a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or a fine-mesh strainer. This will help prevent the grease from going rancid.
Storing bacon grease in the freezer
Bacon grease can be stored indefinitely in the freezer. It is best to portion it into small amounts before freezing. You can use an ice cube tray with a lid or small silicone molds to create individual portions. Once frozen, transfer the portions to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container for easy storage.
Tips for storing bacon grease
- Use a new container for each batch of bacon grease. Adding new grease on top of solid grease can cause the bottom layer to go rancid.
- Label the container with the date and discard old grease every two to three months.
- Let the grease cool before storing, but not below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as it will become solid.
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Reusing bacon grease for frying eggs
Reusing bacon grease to fry eggs is a great way to save time and add flavour to your breakfast. The process is simple: first, cook your bacon in a pan. Once the bacon is crispy, transfer it to a plate, leaving the grease in the pan. Then, crack your eggs directly into the pan and let them cook in the grease. You can also add some butter to the grease for extra flavour. If you want to baste your eggs, use a spoon to scoop up the grease and pour it over the eggs as they cook. This will help the top of the egg cook while the bottom gets crispy.
You can also reuse bacon grease that has been stored. To do this, let the grease cool, then transfer it to a container and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to use it, simply heat the grease in a pan over medium heat, crack your eggs, and cook as usual. Bacon grease can be stored for up to three months, so it's a great way to reduce waste and add flavour to your meals.
When frying eggs in bacon grease, be aware that a little goes a long way. You only need a small amount of grease to add flavour to your eggs. Too much grease can make your eggs overly greasy and dominate the flavour. Additionally, bacon grease has a high calorie count, so it's not recommended for daily use. But as a treat, it's a great way to take your breakfast to the next level.
So, the next time you're making bacon and eggs for breakfast, don't throw away that leftover grease! Reuse it to fry your eggs and enjoy the delicious, savoury flavour it adds to your meal.
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Using bacon grease to season cast-iron pans
Bacon grease is a great way to season cast-iron pans and preserve their finish. It is also a good way to restore the finish of worn-down pans.
Firstly, you will need to clean the pan with water and dish soap and dry it with a clean cloth. This is the only time you will use soap on the pan. If your pan is new, this step will help remove the factory anti-rust coating. If your pan is dirty, clean it before proceeding. For rusty pans, use steel wool or sandpaper to remove the rust and then rinse with warm water.
Next, you will need to gather some bacon grease. You can do this by frying up a couple of slices of bacon and collecting the fat. You can also cook bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and then gather the fat by wadding up the aluminium foil and discarding it. If you have leftover bacon grease in a pan, you can strain and save it in a glass jar in the refrigerator for future use.
Once you have your bacon grease, let it cool to room temperature. Then, pour the fat through a fine-mesh strainer or a double layer of cheesecloth to remove any small particles that could stick to your cast-iron pan.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Use a pastry brush to apply a thin coating of melted bacon grease all over the inside of the pan. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a small piece of wadded-up paper towel.
Place the pan in the oven and allow it to "cook" for about one hour. If you are seasoning a brand-new pan for the first time and have coated the exterior, handle, and interior with grease, turn the pan upside down and place it on the middle wire rack. Place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips.
After one hour, turn off the oven and let the pan cool inside. Then, remove the pan and rub it all over with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. Your cast-iron pan is now seasoned and ready for cooking!
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Adding bacon grease to bourbon
Yes, you can reuse bacon grease left in the pan. However, it is recommended to clean and filter it first to remove any extra pieces of meat or fat. This can be done by using a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth. Once the grease has cooled, it can be stored in a sealed container, such as a mason jar, and kept in the refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life.
Now, let's move on to the topic of adding bacon grease to bourbon. Bacon-infused bourbon is a unique and versatile creation that combines two beloved American staples. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own bacon-infused bourbon:
Ingredients:
- Bacon grease (2 oz or 1/4 cup) from 4-5 slices of good bacon (applewood smoked is recommended)
- 750 mL of bourbon (Maker's Mark or your preferred brand)
- Water
- A large glass container, such as a one-quart mason jar
Instructions:
- Place the desired amount of bacon in a skillet over high heat and add just enough water to cover the bacon.
- Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat to medium.
- Continue cooking until all the water has boiled away, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook the bacon until it is crisp and browned to your liking.
- Remove the cooked bacon from the skillet and enjoy it as a cook's treat!
- Pour off the rendered bacon grease from the pan, measuring 2 oz or 1/4 cup.
- Pour the bourbon into the large glass container or mason jar.
- Strain the bacon grease into the container with the bourbon.
- Secure the cover on the container and give it a good shake to combine the ingredients.
- Allow the bacon-infused bourbon to sit at room temperature for about 6 hours to infuse the flavors.
- Place the container in the freezer to solidify the bacon grease, making it easier to strain.
- Once the grease has solidified, strain the infused bourbon to remove any remaining solids.
- Pour your bacon-infused bourbon back into a bottle and store it in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to use it.
Serving Suggestions:
Bacon-infused bourbon can be enjoyed in various ways. You can sip it neat to savor the subtle smokiness or use it as a base for creative cocktails. Here are some cocktail ideas to consider:
- Bacon Old Fashioned: Combine your bacon-infused bourbon with bitters, fancy maple syrup, and a strip of crispy bacon as a garnish.
- Manhattan: Use your bacon-infused bourbon in a classic Manhattan cocktail for a smoky twist.
- Experiment with other cocktails: Try substituting regular bourbon with your bacon-infused bourbon in cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, or add a splash to any drink that calls for a dash of bourbon.
Bacon-infused bourbon is a fun and indulgent way to elevate your drinking experience. Whether enjoyed neat or in cocktails, it adds a subtle smoky flavor that complements the classic taste of bourbon. So, don't be afraid to experiment and impress your bacon and bourbon-loving friends!
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Using bacon grease in baking
Bacon grease is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of baking and cooking applications. It adds a delicious, savoury, smoky flavour to dishes and can be used in place of other fats such as butter or oil. Here are some tips and ideas for using bacon grease in baking:
Storing Bacon Grease
Before using bacon grease in baking, it is important to properly store it. Bacon grease should be cleaned and filtered to remove any extra pieces of meat or fat. These impurities can cause the grease to go rancid more quickly. To filter the grease, use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and pour the cooled, but still liquid, grease through it. Store the strained grease in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in the refrigerator or freezer. Bacon grease will last about 4 months in the refrigerator and indefinitely in the freezer.
Baking Ideas
- Savoury Bakes: Bacon grease is an excellent substitute for butter or oil in savoury baked goods such as biscuits, cornbread, and pizza dough. It adds a savoury, smoky flavour to the dough.
- Gravy: Bacon grease can be used as a base for gravy, especially sausage gravy to serve with biscuits.
- Mayonnaise: For a smoky twist on a classic condiment, replace all or part of the oil in your mayonnaise recipe with melted bacon grease.
- Bread: Brush bacon grease on toast instead of butter, or use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Vegetables: Bacon grease can be used to roast or sauté vegetables, adding a rich flavour. Try using it with green beans, Brussels sprouts, onions, mushrooms, or potatoes.
- Popcorn: For a savoury snack, pop popcorn kernels in bacon grease instead of oil, or drizzle cooked popcorn with melted bacon grease.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can reuse bacon grease left in the pan, but it is recommended to store it in a jar or can and keep it in the fridge or freezer if you plan to use it at a later time.
Let the grease cool slightly before pouring it into a glass jar or metal can. You can then store it in the fridge or freezer.
Bacon grease can be kept in the fridge for up to four months and indefinitely in the freezer.
