You love bacon. Maybe too much, a little bit more than is healthy. If you’re thinking about trying to find a substitute for bacon grease, you’ll want to read this guide. There are things to look for when buying a substitute for bacon grease, and this article will help get you started.
What is Bacon Grease?
Bacon grease is the cooking fat that drips from bacon when it’s cooked. Bacon grease is made from animal fat and is high in cholesterol. While it can be used for cooking, it has a strong flavor that isn’t suitable for all dishes.
It can be used as a substitute for butter or oil
In many recipes such as mashed potatoes and cornbread. It’s also used in some recipes as a flavoring agent, such as in homemade baked beans or potato soup.
It can be stored at room temperature for up to six months
If it’s sealed tightly in a container or jar with a tight-fitting lid. The best way to store bacon grease is in the freezer where it will keep fresh indefinitely.
14 Fantastic Substitutes for Bacon Grease
Bacon grease is a staple in the kitchen, but it can be hard to come by. Bacon isn’t cheap and it’s often sold in small packages that aren’t enough to fill your largest pan.
So what do you do when you’ve used up all of your bacon greases and have nothing left to fry eggs or make gravy with?
Don’t worry. Here are seven great substitutes for bacon grease.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is made from coconut meat and has a distinct, nutty flavor. It can be used in sweet or savory dishes and is good for frying eggs or vegetables. Coconut oil also has health benefits, including improved digestion and reduced cholesterol levels.
2. Canola Oil
Canola oil is another good choice for frying up your breakfast because it has a high smoke point like olive oil and also contains monounsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.
3. Tallow
Tallow is beef fat that has been rendered out of beef muscle tissue. It can be used in place of bacon grease in most recipes (except those that call specifically for bacon grease).
4. Beef Fat
Beef fat is another source of rendered meat fat that can be used as an alternative to bacon grease in recipes. It’s slightly more expensive than tallow but it has a milder flavor than lard or suet.
5. Butter
If you’re looking for something that mimics the taste of bacon grease, butter is your best bet. The dairy product has a neutral flavor that works well with most foods, especially those that need some extra richness like baked goods and vegetables. Butter also makes an excellent binder in meatloaf or meatballs because its low melting point allows it to hold together better than other fats would.
6. Lard
Lard is a solid white fat that comes from pigs and is used in cooking. It’s very similar to bacon grease, but it has a higher smoke point than bacon grease does. This means that lard can be heated to higher temperatures before it starts to burn.
7. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oils are liquid at room temperature, but they begin to solidify as they cool down. They are often used in cooking because they have a neutral flavor and can be heated to high temperatures without burning. Vegetable oils can be used as substitutes for bacon grease in any recipe where the intention is to add some meaty flavor without adding extra calories or fat from animal products.
8. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great substitute for bacon grease because it has a high smoke point and a nice, rich taste. It also has some health benefits that make it perfect for cooking eggs, potatoes, and more.
9. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius), making it a good choice for sautéing at higher temperatures than olive or vegetable oils. It also contains healthy fats and antioxidants that help prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering.
10. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil has an extremely high smoke point and is one of the most common frying oils in China. It’s also very versatile, so you can use it for sauteing meat or vegetables without changing the flavor profile much at all!
11. Chicken Skin Grease
Chicken skin is another great choice for frying because it has a similar smoke point as sesame oil, but gives your food a delicious crispy texture on top. You can use chicken skin grease for sauteing or deep-frying chicken wings or other fried appetizers!
12. Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Ghee is an Indian cooking fat that was popularized by the Paleo movement because it contains no lactose or casein, which are common allergens found in dairy products.
13. Goose fat
Goose fat is another fantastic cooking fat that’s similar to bacon grease. It’s got a smokey flavor and works great in soups, stews, and sautéed dishes. Goose fat is also usually available locally at farmers’ markets or specialty stores like Whole Foods Market.
14. Duck Fat
Duck fat is one of the most popular alternatives to bacon grease because it’s so similar in taste and texture. It’s also high in monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
7 amazing Bacon grease dishes
Bacon grease, the salty, fatty liquid that drips off the pan when you’re cooking bacon, is a kitchen staple. But what do you do with it once it’s cooled? You could store it in the fridge to use later on potatoes, veggies, or more bacon. Or you could use it to make these seven amazing dishes:
1. Popcorn
Popcorn is the perfect snack for movie night, but it doesn’t have to be plain old popcorn. Bacon grease gives it a smoky flavor that’s sure to please.
2. Roasted Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are delicious, but they can be bitter and hard to chew. Roasting them with bacon grease helps make them extra tender, so you’ll love eating every last bite of this side dish.
3. Smoked salmon pâté
This recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare, making it an easy appetizer for any party or event. It’s also a great way to use up leftover salmon from dinner the night before!
4. Pea soup with smoked ham hock
This rich soup is full of hearty vegetables and smoky meat.
5. Spinach dip
Spinach dip is classic party food, but it doesn’t have to be boring! This spinach dip recipe uses fresh spinach and plenty of bacon. It’s creamy, cheesy, and delicious!
6. Baked beans
Baked beans are a great way to use up some bacon grease after frying up some pork chops or burgers! Serve them with your favorite barbecue sauce for a tasty side dish that everyone will love!
7. Bacon grease pancakes
This recipe includes eggs, flour, milk, and bacon grease. These pancakes are rich and filling, but not too sweet because of the savory bacon flavor.
FAQs
1. Why is bacon grease so popular?
Bacon grease has been a staple in the kitchen for many decades. The reason why it’s so popular is because of its versatility. You can use it in almost any dish, from breakfast to dinner, and it adds a rich, smoky flavor that can’t be replicated by other foods.
2. How much do I need to substitute for 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings?
To replace 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings, you’ll need anywhere from 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of your choice of fat (butter, margarine, vegetable oil, or olive oil). This amount depends on how many servings the recipe calls for and whether it’s a savory dish or sweet dish.
3. How much bacon grease should I use in place of butter in cooking?
Bacon grease is best used in small amounts because it can overwhelm other flavors in food if used too heavily. If substituting bacon grease for butter, consider using ¼ cup of melted bacon fat per pound of meat or other protein being cooked on the stovetop or grill.
4. Is there such a thing as vegan bacon grease?
The answer to this question is yes. The vegan versions of bacon grease are made from vegetables and can be found in most grocery stores. The most common vegetable used to make vegan bacon grease is coconut oil, but it can also be made from other oils.
5. Can I use bacon grease instead of oil when deep frying foods?
Bacon grease contains quite a bit of salt so it’s not recommended for deep frying purposes unless you are using the low sodium variety. It is possible to make your own deep-fried foods using only vegetable oil or lard (which should be refrigerated after opening).
In Conclusion
In summary, there are a lot of substitutes for bacon grease. Bacon grease can be substituted with animal fat if you want to. Animal fat is the most cost-effective and can be used in many dishes like Baked Potatoes and Pie Doughs. Lard is also a great substitute for bacon grease if you are looking for something more affordable.
