Most home chefs know that pouring grease down their sinks’ drains is a big no-no. So what are you supposed to do with the excess grease from meats and oily foods? Discover some creative ideas for how to store and use excess bacon grease here.
Pure bacon fat will stay “safe” indefinitely for frying, regardless whether it’s refrigerated or not; bacteria cannot grow in pure oils, lard, and fats. But keeping bacon fat, and all fat “drippings” from roasting, in the refrigerator ensures it stays firm and at best quality.
How To Use Extra Bacon Grease
You can use excess bacon grease to fry up almost anything that you cook on the stove. Add a scoop of your preserved bacon grease to the pan when frying eggs, rice, vegetables, hash browns, grilled cheese, burgers, and more to add a savory accent to the meal.
The key to cooking with a great cast-iron skillet is to season it first. Wash your new cast-iron pan, add a scoop of your preserved bacon grease, and carefully rub it into the pan before drying it over the stove on a medium heat. This instills a savory, meaty flavor into your pan for future cooking sessions.
How To Safely Store Bacon Grease
Many home cooks store their extra bacon grease in jars at room temperature, but food safety experts don’t recommend this method if you intend to reuse the grease. The best place to safely store bacon grease is in the refrigerator. Keeping grease in the refrigerator will also help it last longer; you can keep bacon grease in the refrigerator for three to six months and in the freezer indefinitely. Just make sure to strain out any bits of leftover bacon with a coffee filter or mesh strainer before storing the grease.
How to store your bacon grease
FAQ
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