If you’ve ever had questions about the right way to store and reuse bacon grease, I’ve got you covered. This quick video shows you how to save, filter, store, and reuse bacon grease.
How to Filter or Clean Bacon Grease
After cooking a big pan of bacon, DO NOT throw out that leftover bacon grease. That rendered fat is liquid gold and can be used to season greens, beans, rice dishes, saute vegetables, make dressings, etc.
But you’ll need to clean it first to filter out any extra pieces of meat or fat. If left in the grease, these pieces can cause the fat to go rancid more quickly.
To filter it, I simply place a fine mesh strainer over a large measuring cup and line the strainer with a couple layers of cheesecloth. If you don’t have cheesecloth, just the strainer should be enough. I just like the extra little insurance policy of having the cheesecloth in there, too.
Once the bacon fat is cooled to nearly room temperature, but not solidified, pour it through the strainer and cheesecloth. You want it to still be pourable, but cool enough to handle.
How to Store Bacon Grease
Now, chances are, you remember your mom or grandmother storing bacon grease in a can right on the counter or on the back of the stove. And if you’re dealing with perfectly pure bacon grease, this isn’t an issue. But being that we don’t have methods in the average home to completely purify the bacon grease, it’s best stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
I usually keep mine in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid. I also have an ice cube tray with a lid that works perfectly in the freezer for keeping small amounts (like about 1 tablespoon) of bacon grease handy so I can just pop one out and add it to my favorite dishes to add tons of great smoky flavor.
- In the fridge, the bacon fat will last for about 4 months.
- In the freezer, it can last indefinitely.
How do I know when my bacon grease has gone bad?
As fat is exposed to oxygen, the molecules break down into fatty acids. This is called oxidation. And in this case, it’s not a good thing. The fat develops a foul smell and flavor and will pass that flavor off to anything it is cooked with.
The easiest way to tell if your rendered bacon fat has gone bad is by smell. Give it a sniff and if it smells sour or just off, it’s best to toss it.
Sometimes you can tell if it’s gone rancid based on the color. If it has turned from white to yellowish, it’s also a good idea to get rid of it.
How can I use bacon grease I’ve saved?
Bacon grease is a great way to add delicious, savory, smoky flavor to all kinds of dishes. Whether you’re adding a few tablespoons to peas, beans, greens, or making a delicious dressing, there are tons of uses!
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that start with a little bacon grease…
Jan Johnson
I store room temperature bacon grease in a ziploc freezer bag, laid out flat in the freezer, with no air pockets. Once it is frozen, it is easy to break off however much you need. I usually just eyeball the amount I need to season with, so it’s a perfect setup for me.
So smart! Thanks for sharing!
Carol Lynn Birdsell
Could you please put the saving bacon grease recipe in a more simplified form? Many times, I don’t have the time to read the entire recipe so this would be very helpful to me. Take Care of You and Yours! Carol
Andy Marr
Thanks for the helpful website. Tonight we were wondering what to do with our leftover bacon fat
Happy to help!
GKulpit
What brand of bacon do you use? There are low salt, nitrate free, maple, etc. what is your favorite brand?
Honestly, it just depend so what’s on sale. I often use the Hormel Black Label.
Michele
Hello, do you know if you can safely can bacon grease? I had so much that I heated it, strained it and put it in canning jars. The lids have all sealed and I have stored it in my cool basement.
I honestly don’t know. I don’t have tons of canning experience.
Deborah Rucker
Always love to see your ideas, recipes and stories behind your favs!! You would be like cooking in the kitchen with my brother! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks, Deborah! That means the world to me!
Pamela R Brown
Thanks for the additional tips on how to use the bacon grease. i store it in the fridge all the time. Use it for eggs green beans cabbage greens and squash. Sphagetti and bacon is delish also.
Great idea!
Marie M Quebedeaux
Stacy,
I have always wondered the proper way to save bacon grease. I lose my
everytime I have tried. Thank you so much or posting this. You are greatly
appreciated.
Ree
You’re so welcome, Ree!
Dot Diambra
Just as you, I treasure every drop of my bacon drippings. How can anyone possibly make cream gravy…GOOD cream gravy, without it ? If there ever is a time when I have too much, I freeze it , but that isn’t often.
Thank you for all of the meals I’ve made my husband. Until you came along, it was just something to eat, to fill you up. Now it’s a meal, and a very good one.
God bless you and your family. Keep those recipes coming.
Thank you so much, Dot!
Virginia
This is an excellent tutorial especially for new homemakers!!!
I keep my grease in the freezer. I use small baby food jars for storage. I have also used cleaned small jelly or jam jars. I find that glass works better than plastic items. There is nothing like a fried egg cooked in a teaspoon or so of bacon grease.
I would suggest additional simple cooking tutorials would be fun in your website..
Agreed! Love the small jar idea!
🙂 I think you’ll be pleased with what we’ve got coming up!
Diann Johnson
This brings back memories of my Grandmother. She always saved her bacon grease. I appreciate you sharing this with us. I am going to be saving mine now. Thanks so much!
You’re so welcome! Happy to help!
Winnie Mom
Love using bacon grease to season and flavor many things I cook. I strain mine using a coffee filter (the 4-5 cup size) works great.
Coffee filters are a great way to make sure it’s super clean!
Doris Barnes
Oh how I love the smell of bacon cooking and it appears you know how to cook bacon, I like mine crispy, well done Stacey.
I grew up on pinto beans cooked with bacon grease or just plain lard. How do you cook your pinto beans?
Thans, Doris! My bacon has to be crisp, though my son likes his a little softer. I do my pinto beans like this: https://southernbite.com/southern-pinto-beans/
Tracie Rosser
Stacey, Get out of my head! I kid you not, I was sitting here last night talking to my husband about doing this. The fridge no fridge matter came up. Thank you for this post! Now I’m off to find ice cube trays with lids!
LOL! Stacey swooping in with the mad knowledge like a culinary batman! Ha! Glad I could help! 🙂
Naomi
Yeah, I also keep my enamel grease pot near the range, as seen here.
Love this!
Naomi
I’ve always saved the bacon grease for all sorts of recipes based on watching grandmothers and my mother in their kitchens. Your idea of using an ice cube tray is stellar and I’m going to do that, place the tray in an airtight freezer bag and keep my overstock safe that way. Thanks!
It works great and is super convenient!
Sam
“In the fridge, the bacon fat will last for about 4 months.” 😄 I filter mine through cheesecloth & it will last indefinitely in the fridge. I’ve used 5-year-old bacon grease, with no problems!
Betty Greer
Stacey, could not find “how to store bacon grease. Please help.
The video should be right above here below the title.
It’s not necessary, I just find that having bits of bacon in some other things that I use bacon grease for isn’t as appetizing. I’m told leaving the bit in there can make it go rancid sooner, but I’m not sure about that.
Pam G
My Granny and my Mom kept it on the stove top and I reckon it was a generational thing, The bacon grease was used pretty nearly every day and as Sherry commented “we all lived.” I agree though, the refrigerator seems the right thing to do.
🙂
sherry mcranie
Thank you for the bacon grease info. My Mom always kept it on the stove, we all lived, but l prefer to refrigerate. Love your recipes.
Thanks, Sherry!