Reusing Bacon Fat - Tip of the Day

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Sep 23rd 2009 @ 9:00AM

It might sound like a greasy mess, but bacon fat is something every cook should have on hand.

Sizzling bacon.
Photo: swamplandofdesire, Flickr.

After frying up some delicious strips of bacon, there's always the question of what to do with the grease left in the pan. It can't be poured down the drain -- that just clogs up the pipes. Rather than waiting for it to solidify and throwing it in the trash, grab a glass jar, pour it in and reserve it in the refrigerator for future use.

Having a jar of bacon fat is quite handy. A dash here or there can offer bacon-y flavor when the fridge is bare of breakfast meat (especially with morning eggs), and throwing a little into the mix will amp up any dish, giving it a richer flavor -- sauteed potatoes, pizza crusts, roasts, you name it. A little of this fatty goodness will also help keep water from boiling over and out of a pot, be the tasty base to homemade dog treats and feed the birds.

Is there anything you can't do with bacon?

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: bacon, bacon fat, bacon grease, bacon uses, BaconFat, BaconUses, thrifty cooking, ThriftyCooking