Bacon fat, also known as bacon grease or bacon drippings, is a byproduct of cooking bacon slowly in the oven or on the stovetop. Bacon grease becomes semi-solid at room temperature, and the best method of preservation is to store it in the refrigerator.

Bacon fat has a smoky flavor, and you can use this butter-like cooking ingredient for baking, sautés, roasting vegetables, and a gravy base. Unlike margarine, bacon grease does not contain trans fat (a form of fat associated with negative health risks) and has higher monounsaturated fat (healthy fats from plant and animal foods) than traditional butter. 
The next time you cook a package of bacon, take these steps to save and store your homemade bacon fat: 

- __Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil__: Lining the sheet will make cleanup easier and prevent the bacon grease from going down your sink drain. 
- __Use a baking rack__: Place a baking rack on top of your baking sheet, and cook your bacon on it, so the pool of bacon grease collects on the foil-covered baking sheet. 
- __Strain__: Place a strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter over the mouth of your grease container to remove any bits of bacon from the rendered fat. 
- __Transfer to an airtight container__: While it’s still warm, transfer the bacon grease to a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel container. If poured into plastic, the hot grease will melt or warp the container. Once transferred, allow the contents to cool to room temperature before covering. 
- __Cover and refrigerate__: Secure the grease container lid and keep it refrigerated for food safety. The shelf life for refrigerated bacon grease is approximately three months. To be safe, always smell the grease before using it because it can turn rancid during storage. You can also store bacon fat indefinitely in the freezer. 
Bacon grease is a tasty substitute for butter and margarine in several recipes. 

1. __Use it to sauté veggies__: Bacon grease adds an extra dimension of flavor to everything from proteins to fresh veggies. Simmer your green beans with bacon fat and bacon bits or roast asparagus with a few tablespoons in the oven. 
2. __Add it to homemade bread__: Bacon grease can amp up the flavor of a traditional loaf of country bread, or you can use it to toast hearty wheat bread for a crispy grilled cheese sandwich. Add a few tablespoons of bacon grease to your [cornbread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-cornbread-recipe-plus-7-cornbread-variations) or biscuit mix for a smoky flavor. 
3. __Mix it into loaded mashed potatoes__: Swap the butter in your recipe for mashed potatoes with bacon grease. Toss in shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives for an added punch of flavor. 
4. __Season your cast-iron skillet__: After the initial wash, use a paper towel to coat your cast-iron skillet with bacon grease before letting it bake in the oven. 
5. __Make scrambled eggs__: Coat your pan with bacon fat before cracking your eggs instead of cooking spray. 
Pouring bacon grease or other cooking oils down the kitchen sink can cause serious plumbing issues. The grease—whether hot or cold—will coat the pipes and eventually cause clogs or backups. For proper disposal of refrigerated bacon fat, simply scoop it into the trash with a spoon or spatula. 

If the bacon grease is hot, allow it to solidify in a glass jar before disposing of it in the trash. For easy removal, line the glass jar with aluminum foil before pouring in the grease. 
While they come from the same animal, bacon fat and lard differ in taste and function. Bacon fat has a smoky taste, while lard—rendered fat from the pig—has a neutral flavor. 

You can use bacon fat to add flavor to baked goods, gravies, and sautés, but lard primarily adds texture to fried or baked foods. While you can purchase bacon fat and lard at the grocery store, you can make your own grease at home for that authentic flavor. 
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Bacon grease is a key ingredient in many recipes from the American South—its unmatched flavor has even earned it the nickname “liquid gold.” Learn how to store bacon grease, along with some of its uses in the kitchen. 

Bacon grease is a key ingredient in many recipes from the American South—its unmatched flavor has even earned it the nickname “liquid gold.” Learn how to store bacon grease, along with some of its uses in the kitchen. 

How to Store Bacon Grease: 5 Ways to Use Bacon Fat 

Bacon fat, also known as bacon grease or bacon drippings, is a byproduct of cooking bacon slowly in the oven or on the stovetop. Bacon grease becomes semi-solid at room temperature, and the best method of preservation is to store it in the refrigerator.Bacon fat has a smoky flavor, and you can use this butter-like cooking ingredient for baking, sautés, roasting vegetables, and a gravy base. Unlike margarine, bacon grease does not contain trans fat (a form of fat associated with negative health risks) and has higher monounsaturated fat (healthy fats from plant and animal foods) than traditional butter.

What Is Bacon Fat? 

The next time you cook a package of bacon, take these steps to save and store your homemade bacon fat: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil: Lining the sheet will make cleanup easier and prevent the bacon grease from going down your sink drain. </li><li class="">Use a baking rack: Place a baking rack on top of your baking sheet, and cook your bacon on it, so the pool of bacon grease collects on the foil-covered baking sheet. </li><li class="">Strain: Place a strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter over the mouth of your grease container to remove any bits of bacon from the rendered fat. </li><li class="">Transfer to an airtight container: While it’s still warm, transfer the bacon grease to a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel container. If poured into plastic, the hot grease will melt or warp the container. Once transferred, allow the contents to cool to room temperature before covering. </li><li class="">Cover and refrigerate: Secure the grease container lid and keep it refrigerated for food safety. The shelf life for refrigerated bacon grease is approximately three months. To be safe, always smell the grease before using it because it can turn rancid during storage. You can also store bacon fat indefinitely in the freezer. </li></ul>

How to Save and Store Bacon Grease

Bacon grease is a tasty substitute for butter and margarine in several recipes. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use it to sauté veggies: Bacon grease adds an extra dimension of flavor to everything from proteins to fresh veggies. Simmer your green beans with bacon fat and bacon bits or roast asparagus with a few tablespoons in the oven. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Add it to homemade bread: Bacon grease can amp up the flavor of a traditional loaf of country bread, or you can use it to toast hearty wheat bread for a crispy grilled cheese sandwich. Add a few tablespoons of bacon grease to your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-cornbread-recipe-plus-7-cornbread-variations' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-cornbread-recipe-plus-7-cornbread-variations","linkCopy":"cornbread","category":null}'>cornbread</a> or biscuit mix for a smoky flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Mix it into loaded mashed potatoes: Swap the butter in your recipe for mashed potatoes with bacon grease. Toss in shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives for an added punch of flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Season your cast-iron skillet: After the initial wash, use a paper towel to coat your cast-iron skillet with bacon grease before letting it bake in the oven. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Make scrambled eggs: Coat your pan with bacon fat before cracking your eggs instead of cooking spray. </li></ol>

5 Ways to Use Bacon Grease

Pouring bacon grease or other cooking oils down the kitchen sink can cause serious plumbing issues. The grease—whether hot or cold—will coat the pipes and eventually cause clogs or backups. For proper disposal of refrigerated bacon fat, simply scoop it into the trash with a spoon or spatula. If the bacon grease is hot, allow it to solidify in a glass jar before disposing of it in the trash. For easy removal, line the glass jar with aluminum foil before pouring in the grease.

How to Dispose of Bacon Grease 

While they come from the same animal, bacon fat and lard differ in taste and function. Bacon fat has a smoky taste, while lard—rendered fat from the pig—has a neutral flavor. You can use bacon fat to add flavor to baked goods, gravies, and sautés, but lard primarily adds texture to fried or baked foods. While you can purchase bacon fat and lard at the grocery store, you can make your own grease at home for that authentic flavor.

What Is the Difference Between Bacon Fat and Lard?

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.

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Bacon grease is a key ingredient in many recipes from the American South—its unmatched flavor has even earned it the nickname “liquid gold.” Learn how to store bacon grease, along with some of its uses in the kitchen.

Bacon grease is a key ingredient in many recipes from the American South—its unmatched flavor has even earned it the nickname “liquid gold.” Learn how to store bacon grease, along with some of its uses in the kitchen. 
