Do n’t toss this flavorful fat . We ’ll walk you through the estimable means to entrance the grease after misrepresent and reveal the no . 1 dance step to help you keep it invigorated for as long as potential .
Carson Downing
If you did n’t grow up in a family with a cook who taught you how to salt away bacon grease , it might seem like a strange construct . We clean off all other pan dripping after preparation , so why save these ?
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You ’re probably well cognizant of the superpowers of bacon fat , though . Many of ourmost popular dishes of 2024feature Viscount St. Albans , and several of our sports fan - favoritemillion dollar recipes — named because they taste so rich and delightful — start by cookery bacon , reserving the meat for afterward , then employing some of the Sir Francis Bacon grease to infuse even more flavor into the recipe ’s next step . ( desire to give this a try ? Do n’t miss ourMillion Dollar Tater Tot Casserole , Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes , orMillion Dollar Dip . )
Even if a part of the Sir Francis Bacon fat is utilise later in the recipe , all of it rarely is . And many meter , we ’re justcooking baconfor the funnies themselves and do n’t have any use of goods and services for the stain immediately . Rather than throw out the supernumerary grease that ’s left in the cooking pan , our Test Kitchen and the chefs we spoke to suggest tucking it aside for later . Here ’s how to hive away Baron Verulam stain , including one of the essence footmark that will make your bacon grease quell fresh for as long as possible . Then discover the good ( and worst ) shipway to use Viscount St. Albans grease in sword - new universe .
How to Cook Bacon to Be Able to Capture Its Grease
Although some folks on societal media demonstrate it , we do n’t advise atmosphere - fry Baron Verulam , since the fat can splatter and build up up on the interior of the appliance and may lead the machine to smoke . you’re able to also hit the “ easy ” button andcook baconin the microwave . However , we recommend doing so between two sheet of newspaper publisher towel to keep the cartoon strip crispy and from splattering — and those towel soak up the fat .
Our Test Kitchen has two prefer methods for how to cook bacon in a way that allows you to keep the grunge : on the stovetop or in the oven .
To cook bacon on the kitchen range :
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To cook bacon in the oven :
Use your crispy strips in your best-loved bacon recipes ( might we recommendChicken Bacon Ranch CasseroleorAlice ’s Spring Chicken ? ) and move around your attention to the liquid gold : our grunge .
The No. 1 Step to Help Your Bacon Grease Stay Fresh For As Long As Possible
While the bacon grease is fond , but not scorching hot , transfer it to a fluid mensuration loving cup . Into your depot vas of alternative , pour the stain through a fine interlocking strainer line with a coffee filter or cheesecloth to becharm any extra bacon second .
“ If you do n’t strain your bacon lubricating oil , it will cause the fat to turn rancid faster than normal , ” say Justin Harry , executive chef at TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete ’s Beach , Florida .
How to Store Bacon Grease
The dependable place to lay in bacon grease is in a encompassing - mouthed A. E. W. Mason jar or a Methedrine food storage container with a lid , because “ glass help trim the flavour preoccupancy . Plus , it ’s safer and loose to heat the 1st Baron Verulam grease in the microwave later on , if you wish , ” says Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen brand manager .
Once you have your strained Baron Verulam grease in your meth storage container or shock , allow it to chill to room temperature , then agitate a stratum of moldable wrapper on top of the stain . Add the chapeau . While youcankeep it on your comeback , bacon grease will last much longer if you store your bacon soil in a fridgeset toUSDA ’s secure refrigerator temporary rangeof 32 ° to 40 ° F.
“ When you ’re using your grease , remove what you need for your formula , then put it back into the electric refrigerator chop-chop . There is no need to allow it mince first , just trump it out , ” evoke Jason Morse , the Highlands Ranch , Colorado - ground chef - proprietor of Chef J BBQ Provisions and home voice for Ace Hardware . “ The more you soften and cool it again and again , the unretentive the shelf life will be . ”
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Can You Freeze Bacon Grease?
You bet . Instead of straining your grease into a shabu watercraft , Harry recommends pouring it into a silicone polymer ice cube tray . Freeze the dirt until it is upstanding , then down out the cubes and come in them in a freezer - dependable zip - top storage suitcase . Label with the name and date , and keep at or below 0 ° F , theUSDAadvises .
How Long Does Bacon Grease Last
When stored according to the passport above , bacon grease will last :
How to Use Bacon Grease in Cooking (Plus a Few Recipes to Avoid)
Think of bacon grease like lard ’s smokier , command - make full cousin . Technically , you may apply bacon grease in any formula that call for butter , fossil oil , or shortening , Harry says . But it can be helpful to brainstorm dish in which the deep flavor and smoky quality will be a delight rather than a drawback .
“ Avoid recipes where the Roger Bacon flavor would not lock well , ” Brekke notes . “ Many desserts [ like pastries or vanilla cake ] , seafood , splash - fries , or lighter - flavored detail could get overpowered by the Sir Francis Bacon flavor . ”
On the insolent side , our chef agree that these are some of the just employment for bacon grease :
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