What to Do with Bacon Grease
Ah, bacon. That delicious, savory treat that can make even the simplest of dishes irresistible. But what do you do with the bacon grease left behind? The truth is, you can do quite a lot—from giving foods a flavor-packed boost to creative cooking uses. Here are some creative ideas on what to do with leftover bacon grease.
Give Your Popcorn Some Sizzle
If you’re a popcorn aficionado, you need to try popping your popcorn in bacon grease! All you have to do is melt 3 tablespoons of bacon grease in a large pot, drop in some popcorn kernels, and cook until they start to pop. Once they’re done, top with any combination of salt, seasonings, and parmesan cheese for a truly rich and mouthwatering treat.
Go Savory with Veggies
Bacon grease can really wake up the flavors of veggies! Heat a small amount of bacon grease in a pan and quickly sauté your favorite vegetables. Try asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash—the possibilities are endless. A brief saute in bacon grease can really bring out the natural flavors in vegetables.
Flavor Your Gravy
Gravy is another great way to put those remaining bits of bacon grease to good use. Simply melt the bacon fat in a pan and whisk in a few tablespoons of flour. Gradually add in your roux, whisking thoroughly until desired thickness is reached. Finally, add in chicken or beef stock, seasonings, and a tablespoon or two of bacon grease and whisk until smooth and creamy. The extra fat adds that “omph” that can elevate a good gravy into something extraordinary.
Fry Your Eggs
Nothing beats a freshly-cooked egg, especially when cooked in bacon grease. Fry your eggs in bacon grease for a delicious and decadent taste. If you’d like to spice it up, simply add a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne to give your eggs a kick of flavor. You can also get creative and add some chopped onion and bell pepper—it’s a great way to make a tasty and filling breakfast.
Lend Flavor to Your Fry
You can also use bacon grease to give your frying oil a boost of flavor. When deep-frying foods, simply add a spoonful of bacon grease to your regular cooking oil for an extra-special fried dish. This works best with items like French fries, onion rings, chicken fingers, and seafood. The added flavor from bacon grease will give your fried treats a flavor you won’t quickly forget!
Final Thoughts
With leftover bacon grease, you don’t have to let it go to waste. Give your popcorn, veggies, gravy, eggs, and fry a sizzling boost of flavor by getting creative with bacon grease. There are so many delicious ways to use bacon grease so you can get the most out of this delicious ingredient. So don’t throw it away–put that bacon grease to good use!
