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Remind me what to do with the bacon grease?

Started 3 years ago by goodgraces
Latest reply from JoB

goodgraces
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We're big bacon lovers over here, but not big bacon COOKERS . . . so I'm not sure what use I should put the grease from this lovely pan of bacon we just fried up (thanks again, Christopher!!!!). Can anyone quickly remind me?

Thanks much!

Posted 3 years ago #
MargL
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I use an empty cat-food can - pour the grease in and let it solidify then throw it out. Or put the paper towels that you used to drain the bacon on in the pan after you eat the bacon and let it solidify then pull it out, scrape the pan and throw it in the garbage.

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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You can either use it immediately, keep it for use later, or toss it. Keep a glass jar or coffee can to dump the grease in and store it in the fridge. You can use it to fry other meat or veggies (potatoes in bacon grease are extra good). You can usually use it in place of butter or margarine when a recipe needs a bacon boost. Cook eggs with it, or fry your breakfast steak in it. It's awesome in cornbread. Great over popcorn. Last night I made polenta using bacon grease in place of butter and crumbled bacon mixed in. Bacon grease can be frozen for later use.
Of course none of this is particularly healthy. It is bacon grease after all. If you're not into eating it, freeze and toss.

Posted 3 years ago #
cjboffoli
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goodgraces: I keep a small plastic container in the freezer and just add the fat to it whenever I cook bacon. The bacon fat keeps virtually indefinitely when frozen. Whenever you need it you can cut or scoop out a chunk.

In the past I also used a silicone ice cube tray (bought at a kitchen store in London). The silicone is heat resistant when you're pouring in the hot grease the the little cubes of frozen bacon fat were the perfect size for cooking.

I've noticed that everyone seems to be frying their bacon in pans on the stove top. But if you haven't tried it I highly recommend baking it in the oven instead. Lay the bacon out on a "half sheet" (any cookie sheet with a rim all the way around will do) with aluminum foil underneath. The bacon will shrink as it cooks so you can overlap it on the sheet if there is not enough room. Put the bacon in the cold oven, turn the oven to 425, and it should take about 15-25 minutes depending on your oven and the level of crispness you desire.

What's nice is that you can leave the bacon to cook and do not have to stand over it watching the whole time. It also cooks at a more even, controlled temperature so there is less spattering, meaning less stovetop cleanup.

Posted 3 years ago #
Aim
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We keep an old condiment jar (glass) in the fridge, and add to it as we have bacon grease.

Use bacon grease, as austin mentioned, to roast veggies or potatoes. Also it's amazing to fry or scramble eggs in a bit of bacon grease, or rub the cold, semi-solid grease on the skin of a chicken or turkey before roasting. My favorite thing to do with it was shown to me by soclwrkrinmotn when we first met. Melt a tablespoon or slightly more of it in a big pot, then heat it. Drop one popcorn kernel in, and when that kernel pops, it's at the right temperature. Dump in a quarter-cup or so of popcorn kernels, and seal with a tight-fitting lid. Shake the pot slightly over the element every few seconds, to ensure the popcorn doesn't burn. It will begin popping shortly. Once the popping has slowed to more than 2 seconds between pops, turn off the heat and throw the popcorn into a bowl. Add butter or salt to taste. (I usually just add a teeny bit of salt, as the bacon grease adds a buttery salty flavor that's lovely.)

Enjoy!

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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mmmmmm...bacon fat and popcorn....in my dreams this weekend...but maybe next?

Posted 3 years ago #
PDieter
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I might add to the "bacon baking" to add a sprinkle of brown sugar...it's the way I was shown (when I still ate bacon)

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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adding a little bacon grease to a pot of beans really brings out the flavor..

Posted 3 years ago #
Gina
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If you feed birds you may want to put the solidified bacon grease near your feeder.

Posted 3 years ago #
Luckie
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I save and freeze bacon grease too, but only from good bacon, like the PCC stuff. If I happen to cook cheaper bacon, I let the grease solidify and throw it out. It just doesn't taste as good when re-used.

Posted 3 years ago #
dapuffin
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My doggies appreciate a little bacon grease on their kibble from time to time.

Posted 3 years ago #
Keith
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I like just a pinch between my cheek and gums, and a dab or two behind my ears.

Posted 3 years ago #
CB
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Make a batch of homemade buttermilk biscuits and dredge them in melted bacon fat, both sides, before baking.

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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lol, Keith...I was thinking that it's make a great moisturizer for my feet,elbows ;-)

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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My southern grandmother used to keep a jar on the stove and use it in cooking most things - however, my favorite of hers was the hot bacon dressing she would make to put over spinach to make a wilted salad!! I still dream of that recipe:)

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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mellaw, was that a dressing that sort of had a sweet/sour taste to it? I remember having wilted spinach salads like that...

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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http://southernfood.about.com/od/spinach/r/bl50731d.htm

http://livelovelaughlearn.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/wilted-spinach-salad-with-warm-bacon-dressing/

http://blog.cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2008/10/how-to-make-wilted-spinach-salad.html

Posted 3 years ago #
HunterG
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We keep ours in a small Tupperware container and store it in the fridge. I have had much success with using bacon fat for roux.

Instead of all butter, I will use a half and half butter and bacon grease mix to use with flour, it adds a really nice slight smoky depth to my gravy and misc sauces.

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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Hash browns fried in bacon grease are a big win on cold mornings!

Posted 3 years ago #
katydid
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Just made a double batch of oatmeal cookies yesterday and used bacon fat and shortening together in recipe...usually substitute bacon fat for about a third of fat used in recipe...could be less....makes the best cookies...we have only a dozen left....oink, oink, oink

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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Yes Jan - that's the stuff! Thanks for the links!

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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Just popped over to bacon hill to re up my bacon stash.. The house has a great vibe. I'm definitely going back to get my cook on in the future. Bacon's out of control though, I'm going to have to enter bacon rehab after the first of the year.

Posted 3 years ago #
Kayleigh2
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You guys are barfing me out.

Posted 3 years ago #
Aim
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LOL Kayleigh, as a former vegetarian, I totally understand. I raaaarely eat pork or red meat, and have chicken or fish once or twice a week usually. But I have to admit I did have some of the bacon. I'd rather have home-made, hand-raised bacon than some nasty factory farmed stuff.

So at least there's that. We're all eating local. Nevertheless, I do understand why it barfs you out.

Posted 3 years ago #
RainyDay1235
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Yes, birdseed! The birdies are still out..and hungrier than ever!

Homemade suet recipe:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf915833.tip.html

Posted 3 years ago #
Peaches
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This transplanted southerner still loves her collard greens (local, organic) cooked in bacon grease. Throw in some black-eyed peas, serve with sweetened tea, and you have a southerner's favorite meal!

Posted 3 years ago #
cjboffoli
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Peaches: Will you marry me? ;-)

All: Last summer I actually attended the slaughter of one of the pigs from which the recent batch of bacon was sourced. It was a fascinating day. I'm happy to post the a link to the images if people are interested.

Posted 3 years ago #
cakeitseasy
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Soap?

http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/10/if-youre-saying-to-yourself-ivory-i.html

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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and follow that link through to how to make a candle with bacon grease...unfortunately, it takes the odor of bacon out...guess you could go find some eau de piglet and scent it up :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Bayou
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I'm curled up with the comforts of potato soup tonight but mmmmm, "collie" greens. Peaches, that makes me homesick.

Posted 3 years ago #
Kayleigh2
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Aim, you are truly sweet, even if you do eat weird. ;-) I gave up pork as a teenager and don't miss it at all. But even if I ate pork, I would toss away the bacon fat in horror and guilt.

I've made homemade soap, and no way would I use bacon grease. Yuck.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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Kayleigh2...

if you must kill.. you should honor what you kill.. and that includes using all of it..

Strained bacon grease from a well raised home cured pig makes great soap... and candles too...

mellaw...janS...and peaches...

THANK YOU! i had forgotten what a little bacon grease can do to greens...

cook a couple of strips of bacon in a big pan.. remove the bacon and quickly cook up spinach in the grease .. (i suspect with this bacon.. you won't need more than one strip...)

then add the crumbled bacon to the spinach and some sliced almonds and a touch of salt...

I am sorry Kayleigh, but there is something that bacon does to vegetables that is simply sinful:)

Posted 3 years ago #