The flavor of bacon grease is incredible! You can use it to fry your food, add it to other foods to give them a bacon flavor, and it lasts a long time.
Does bacon grease, on the other hand, ever go bad? What is the shelf life, and how should it be stored? If you have a lot of bacon grease left over from a big family breakfast, you might want to save it. We’d do the same. So there you have it: all you need to know about bacon grease.
Is it true that bacon grease spoils?
Yes, after several months at room temperature, bacon grease may and does become bad. It’s the fat molecules in bacon grease that break down and oxidize when it gets rancid. The grease is no longer appetizing at this time. It isn’t fatal, but it can create stomach problems.
There won’t be any mold or germs in the grease because the climate isn’t ideal for them. They require moisture rather than fat or oil. Fat, on the other hand, does break down over time.
How can you know if your bacon grease has gone bad?
The fragrance is the first sign that the grease has exploded. It’s time to toss it if it smells foul or soapy in any way. If you were to taste it, you’d get a strange flavor that has nothing to do with bacon.
When it comes to bacon grease, how long does it last?
Bacon grease can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 6 months. It can be kept in the fridge for up to a year in the same container. It will keep for up to a week if left out at room temperature in the skillet.
However, if the fat is in the skillet, we expect you’ll use it up before it goes bad. In brief, if maintained away from direct sunlight and with limited air contact, bacon grease can remain for weeks, if not months.
If properly stored, any grease from any animal can last this long. The grease oxidizes when exposed to air, while light can tear down the molecules’ structure. This takes weeks, so don’t panic if you forget about it one day.
Is it possible to utilize bacon grease that has been sitting out for a while?
Yes, bacon grease is safe at room temperature if kept in a sealed container and out of direct sunlight. If the fat from yesterday is still in the skillet, it was hopefully covered or at the very least placed in the oven with the door shut. Otherwise, you might have to catch an insect or a stray hair. Cover your frying pots at all times, people.
How should bacon grease be stored?
Bacon grease should be kept out of direct sunlight and in an airtight container. It’s even better if you have room in the fridge because you can keep that grease for up to a year.
A good container is a plastic or glass jar, as long as the seal is good. Always spoon out only as much as you require; do not reheat the entire dish.
Bacon grease can also be stored in a cupboard, a pantry, a dry cellar, or even on the counter if it can be kept out of direct sunlight. Always double-check that the container is securely closed.
Do you drain the bacon grease while you cook it?
It’s up to you and the recipe you’re using to drain the bacon fat. If your recipe calls for a small amount of fat, drain the grease into a container. The grease can then be reused whenever you need it.
We prefer to render the bacon as quickly as possible before adding the rest of the ingredients to the grease. So, unless the recipe specifically calls for it, we don’t drain it.
How do you get rid of bacon grease?
If you want to get rid of bacon grease for good, don’t pour it down the toilet or into the sink. Because it’s hot, it’s now liquid. However, it will solidify and eventually clog the drains.
It’s better to drain the grease into a container that you can either dispose of or transport to a used oil collection facility.
