Emilie Meyer
Bacon popcorn is a flavorful treat that can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave. The key to making bacon popcorn is to cook the bacon first and reserve the grease, which can be done by cooking the bacon in the oven or in a saucepan. The bacon grease is then heated in a pot, and once it has melted, popcorn kernels are added and covered with a lid. The pan should be shaken to prevent the kernels from burning, and once the popping slows down, the popcorn is ready to be seasoned and served.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pot | Dutch oven, medium saucepan, 6-quart pot |
| Amount of bacon grease | 2-4 tablespoons |
| Heat level | Medium-high, high, medium |
| Add-ins | Salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, red chili flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, cheese, bacon bits |
| Storage | Best eaten the same day, store in an airtight container and eat within 2 days |
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What You'll Learn
How much bacon grease to use
The amount of bacon grease you should use to pop popcorn depends on the size of your pot. For a 3- or 6-quart pot, you should add enough bacon grease to cover the bottom of the pot. This is usually around 2 to 3 tablespoons of bacon grease.
One method for determining the correct amount of bacon grease is to use the Cameron Diaz-approved, measure-free approach. This involves adding gobs of rendered grease to the pot and melting it until it comes up around the curve of the pot. You then add the popcorn kernels until the liquid fat barely covers them.
Another way to ensure you have the right amount of bacon grease is to use a tester kernel. Place the bacon grease in your pot and heat it over medium-high heat. Add one or two kernels to the pot. When these kernels pop, you know that the grease is hot enough and you can add the remaining kernels.
It's important to note that bacon grease has a lower smoke point than some other oils, so it's best to use medium-high heat rather than high heat to avoid burning the grease.
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How to heat the grease
Heating the grease is the first step in making bacon grease popcorn. You can use a Dutch oven, a medium saucepan, or a medium-sized pot. The amount of grease you use can vary, but generally, you'll want to add enough so that it comes up "around the curve of the pot". This is usually somewhere between 2 and 4 tablespoons.
Once you've added the grease to your pot, place it over medium to high heat. You'll want to wait for the grease to melt and start sizzling before you add the kernels. To test if the grease is hot enough, you can add a couple of kernels to the pot and wait for them to pop. Once the kernels pop, you'll know that the grease is hot enough, and you can add the rest of the kernels.
If you're using a popcorn popper, you'll want to preheat it for about 1 to 2 minutes before adding the grease. Then, follow the same steps as above.
It's important to note that you should always be careful when heating grease, as it can splatter and cause burns. Make sure to use a lid to contain the splatter and protect your hands and arms from the hot grease.
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When to add the kernels
When making popcorn with bacon grease, it is important to know when to add the kernels to the pot. The key is to wait until the grease is hot enough so that the kernels will pop. A good way to test this is to add a couple of kernels to the pot first, as testers. Cover the pot with a lid and wait for these kernels to pop. This should take around two minutes. Once the tester kernels pop, you will know that the grease is hot enough and you can add the rest of the kernels.
It is important to note that you should only add enough kernels to the pot so that they are barely covered by the grease. If you add too many kernels, they may not all be coated in the grease and could burn.
Once you have added the kernels to the pot, cover it again and continue to cook over medium heat. As the kernels start to pop, shake the pot back and forth constantly. This will prevent the kernels from burning and ensure that all the kernels have a chance to pop.
If you are using a popcorn popper, you can turn the crank clockwise as the kernels pop to coat them in the bacon grease and prevent them from sticking and burning. Whether you are using a pot or a popper, continue shaking or turning the crank until the popping slows down.
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How often to shake the pot
Shaking the pot is an important step in cooking popcorn in bacon grease. Here is a detailed guide on how often to shake the pot for the best results:
First, add bacon grease to a pot and place it over medium-high to high heat. Once the grease has melted, add one or two popcorn kernels as testers. When these test kernels pop, add the remaining popcorn kernels and cover the pot with a lid.
At this point, you should start shaking the pot. Shake the pan back and forth constantly to keep the unpopped kernels at the bottom of the pot. This ensures even cooking and prevents the kernels from burning. As the kernels start to pop more rapidly, increase the frequency of shaking. The goal is to keep the unpopped kernels moving to the bottom, where they can pop, while allowing the popped kernels to rise to the top.
When the popping slows down, it's time to remove the pot from the heat. However, do not stop shaking the pot immediately. Continue shaking it for a moment to allow any remaining kernels to pop. Then, pour the popcorn into a large bowl or paper bag.
By following these steps and shaking the pot frequently, especially in the initial stages of popping, you can ensure that your bacon grease popcorn is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
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How to season the popcorn
Bacon grease popcorn is a tasty treat and a great way to use up leftover bacon grease. The popcorn will have a salty, meaty flavour, especially once it has cooled down a little.
To season the popcorn, you can use plain salt to taste. You can also add bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese for an extra indulgent snack. If you want to accentuate the savoury, meaty qualities of the bacon grease, you can season with MSG.
If you want to reduce the amount of grease on your popcorn, you can toss the cooked popcorn in a paper bag. This will absorb any extra grease and prevent a mess.
Bacon grease is a great alternative to cooking oil and will give your popcorn a unique flavour. You can also use duck fat, but this may not be as cost-effective.
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Frequently asked questions
Add 2-4 tablespoons of bacon grease to your pot. If you don't have a measuring spoon handy, one source suggests adding enough grease to come up "around the curve of the pot".
Add 1-3 kernels as testers. When one of the kernels pops, you'll know the grease is hot enough, and you can add the rest of the kernels.
Cover the pot with a lid and shake it every 30-60 seconds to prevent the kernels from burning. When the popping slows down, remove the pot from the heat and let it finish popping.
