10 Reasons Why You Should Never Throw Out Your Bacon Grease

Jul 16, 2018

There are so many clever ways you can reuse leftover food items or waste that people often don’t realize. From pasta water to vegetable stems, there is a use for everything in your kitchen that you usually toss in the garbage.

One exceptionally useful leftover is bacon grease. This delicious creamy fat is not only great for cooking breakfast, but can be used in a variety of ways around the house. Don’t believe us?

Here are the top 10 ways you can use it:

^{istockphotos.com/NicolasMcComber}

Give your beloved cast iron the rub down it needs to cook your favorite dishes. Use a paper towel to spread an even thin coat of bacon grease inside the pan, place it on the middle oven rack and bake it for 1 hour at 375° F.

^{istockphotos.com/denizya}

If you haven’t yet cooked your eggs with bacon grease, then now is the perfect time to try!

^{istockphotos.com/jmalov}

Transfer the fat to a small saucepan and whisk it over low heat with red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard and add it to your favorite salad.

^{istockphotos.com/Lauri Patterson}

Fry up your bread in tasty bacon fat!

^{istockphotos.com/PamWalker68}

Add bacon grease, beeswax, and coconut oil in equal parts in a double boiler until the temperature reads 140 degrees. Filter the mixture through a cheesecloth and pour it into a jar with a wick. Easy!

^{istockphotos.com/LauriPatterson}

Remember that cast iron skillet seasoning tip? Why not use your skillet to make a fresh batch of homemade cornbread. It’ll add a delicious smoky flavor!

^{istockphotos.com/mladn61}

Grease is the perfect tool for lighting a fire quickly, so throw yours on the pit next time you want to grill outdoors.

^{istockphotos.com/hedgehog94}

Strain your hot grease and wait for it to cool. When it’s ready, dip a cloth into it and use it to shine your leather goods, like shoes and belts. It’ll leave a shine that lasts!

^{istockphotos.com/SKrow}

Stickers and labels that refuse to come off and leave residue on your items are really annoying. Cover the stubborn sticker in grease and let it sit for a few minutes before using your favorite spray cleaner to wipe the sticker off.

^{istockphotos.com/Ysbrand Cosijn}

Mix birdseed in bacon fat and let it cool in a small cup. The grease will harden into a small bird snack that you can hang in a tree or place in a bird feeder. The birds will love you for it!

Weren’t these tips interesting? Did you see any that you’re excited to try? Let us know your bacon grease hacks and pass this article on to your crafty friends!