It’s easy to cook a batch of bacon, pour off the grease, and head straight to the sink. It looks like something that should be thrown away, so most people don’t give it much thought.
But bacon grease can still be useful long after the bacon is gone.
For generations, people saved it because it could take the place of cooking oil, add plenty of flavor, and make simple meals taste better. It was just another kitchen staple instead of something that went in the trash.
If you still have bacon grease left in the pan, let it cool and save it. Here are some easy ways to use it around the kitchen and beyond.
Season Cast Iron Skillets
Once you’ve cleaned and dried your cast iron pan, rub a very thin layer of bacon grease over the surface while the pan is still warm.
It can help protect the skillet from moisture and rust while adding another layer of seasoning. Just don’t leave a thick coating behind, since excess grease can turn sticky.
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Replace Cooking Oil
Bacon grease can take the place of oil or butter in plenty of everyday recipes.
Use it to sauté onions, fry potatoes, cook mushrooms, roast vegetables, or sear meat. You only need a small amount to add a smoky, savory flavor.
Add Flavor to Vegetables
Vegetables can taste completely different with a little bacon grease.
Toss Brussels sprouts, green beans, cabbage, or carrots with a small amount before roasting or sautéing. The bacon flavor pairs especially well with vegetables that get browned around the edges.
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Use It in Savory Baking
Bacon grease can replace some of the butter or shortening in recipes for biscuits, cornbread, and savory pie crusts.
A little goes a long way, so start by replacing only part of the fat called for in the recipe. You’ll get a richer flavor and nicely browned edges without making the finished dish taste like straight bacon.
Make Better Popcorn
Add a spoonful of bacon grease to a pot, let it melt, then add your popcorn kernels.
As the kernels pop, the bacon flavor works its way into the popcorn. Add a little salt afterward and you’ve got a savory snack without much extra work.
Start a Fire
Cooled bacon grease can also be useful outside the kitchen. Mix a small amount with cotton balls or paper scraps to make a simple fire starter for a grill or campfire.
Keep the grease contained and use the starter safely. Never pour loose grease directly onto a flame.
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Add It to Soups and Stews
Before adding broth to a soup or stew, cook your onions, garlic, carrots, celery, or other vegetables in a little bacon grease.
It gives the vegetables a deeper flavor right from the start. This works especially well in bean soups, potato soups, split pea soup, and hearty stews.
Make a Warm Salad Dressing
Warm bacon grease can make a surprisingly good salad dressing.
Whisk a small amount with vinegar and seasonings, then drizzle it over spinach or other sturdy greens. Add some sliced onions, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled bacon, and you have a simple salad that feels much more filling.
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Stir It Into Refried Beans
A spoonful of bacon grease can make refried beans richer and smoother.
Stir it in while the beans are heating, then add your usual seasonings. The small amount of smoky flavor works especially well with tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-inspired meals.
Add It to Mashed Potatoes
For mashed potatoes with a little extra flavor, mix in a small amount of bacon grease along with your usual butter and milk.
You don’t need much. Start with a teaspoon or two, taste the potatoes, and add more if needed.
Brush It on Corn on the Cob
Melt a little bacon grease and brush it over corn before grilling.
The grease helps the corn brown around the edges and adds a smoky, savory taste. A little salt, pepper, or chili powder can finish it off.
Flavor Rice and Grains
Before adding water or broth, sauté your rice in a little bacon grease.
Let the grains cook for a minute or two, stirring so they get lightly coated. Then add the liquid and cook as usual. You can use the same trick with other grains that benefit from a little extra flavor.
Cook Scrambled Eggs in It
Instead of reaching for butter, try cooking your scrambled eggs in a small amount of bacon grease.
The eggs pick up some of that savory bacon flavor, making a basic breakfast taste a little more special. It’s especially good if you’re already serving bacon with the meal.
Crisp Tortillas for Tacos
Bacon grease can also be used to lightly fry tortillas.
Heat a small amount in a skillet and fry the tortillas until they’re crisp around the edges but still easy to fold. The result is a flavorful shell that’s great for tacos, breakfast tacos, or tostadas.
