Anyone that’s cooked bacon before knows that there’s a lot of grease leftover in the pan, and you can store that liquid gold and cook with it later. You can make mashed potatoes, biscuits, mac and cheese, and much more. Unfortunately, this savory delight doesn’t last forever, and after you save it, you should put the date on the lid so you know how long it’s been in storage. The real question is, how long does bacon grease last before it goes bad, and what’s the best way to store it?
How Long Does Bacon Grease Last in the Fridge?
For those of you that grew up with bacon grease sitting in a jar on the counter, the USDA doesn’t recommend you store it this way. In the fridge, bacon grease can last anywhere from three to six months, but after the three-month mark, you should check to make sure it hasn’t gone bad. If you want your grease to last longer, you should filter it so there are no small pieces of meat left in it. Doing so reduces the risk of spoilage. Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter what you store it in. It could be a jar, a plastic container, or any other clean, sealable vessel.
How Long Does Bacon Grease Last in the Freezer?
The great news is you can store your bacon grease in the freezer indefinitely. The hard part is, if you store it all in one container, you’re going to have a hard time getting it out. You’ll have to thaw the whole container overnight, which can lead to spoilage, or scrape what you need from the top, which isn’t easy. Instead, consider freezing your bacon grease in smaller portions like an ice cube tray. This way, you can pop it out and put it in the pan whenever you need it, and the heat will naturally thaw out the grease.
How Can I Tell When My Bacon Grease Has Gone Bad?
We know how long bacon grease lasts before it goes bad, but how can you tell when it’s gone bad? If you keep your bacon grease in the fridge or you continuously thaw and freeze your grease, it’s important to check for spoilage. You can tell if your bacon grease has gone bad by checking the smell or color.
We may refer to bacon grease as liquid gold, but if you notice your stored bacon grease turns from white to yellow, it’s time to throw it away! Also, if it has a sour, fishy, or unpleasant odor, it needs to go in the trash. Not only will it make your food taste bad, but it’ll make your stomach feel a lot worse.
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FAQs
You can tell if your bacon grease has gone bad by checking the smell or color. We may refer to bacon grease as liquid gold, but if you notice your stored bacon grease turns from white to yellow, it's time to throw it away! Also, if it has a sour, fishy, or unpleasant odor, it needs to go in the trash.
How do you know if bacon grease has gone bad? ›
You can tell if your bacon grease has gone bad by checking the smell or color. We may refer to bacon grease as liquid gold, but if you notice your stored bacon grease turns from white to yellow, it's time to throw it away! Also, if it has a sour, fishy, or unpleasant odor, it needs to go in the trash.
How long will bacon grease stay good on the counter? ›
Where To Store Bacon Grease. Although many of us grew up with relatives who stored their bacon grease in a jar or can set on the counter or on the back of the stovetop, food safety experts don't recommend storing it that way now. Instead, store bacon grease in the refrigerator (up to 3 months) or freezer (indefinitely) ...
What to do with old bacon grease? ›
Keeping a jar of leftover bacon grease on hand to use as cooking oil for vegetables, beans, dressings, and eggs is a time-honored chef's trick passed down by generations of grandmothers.
How long does grease stay good for? ›
Grease in an unopened container should last 3 to 5 years. For an opened container, the go-to answer is 1 to 3 years depending on the various factors listed above.
When should you throw out bacon grease? ›
Line a cup (or even the sink drain itself) well with heavy-duty foil. Carefully pour the hot fat into it and let it harden (or, if using a cup, place the cup in the freezer). Once the fat hardens, wrap the foil around the fat and toss it in the trash.
Is cooking with bacon grease bad for you? ›
So a lot of the unhealthy stuff associated with bacon isn't necessarily in bacon fat. And surprisingly, it does has some healthy qualities. Like canola and olive oil, bacon fat is high in oleic acid, which is thought to reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels, Quinn said. Also, bacon fat simply tastes great.
Can I fry eggs in bacon grease? ›
If you ask us, the most delicious sunny-side up eggs aren't fried in butter or oil — but rather an unexpected ingredient: bacon grease. It turns out that cooking eggs in bacon fat (or "liquid gold" as we like to call it) allows the edges to become crispy and ensures the yolk stays soft and tender.
Is it OK to use old grease for cooking? ›
You can use leftover oil for your next batch of fries, but be on the lookout for signs of spoilage. Spent frying oil has an acrid aroma; if you smell even a hint of rancidity or anything off, err on the side of caution and spring for fresh oil. If your recycled oil looks cloudy or foamy, it's time to toss it.
Can you use expired grease? ›
For most lubricants, the rule of thumb for shelf life is five years. But if the seal on the container is broken the five-year rule should be ignored and it takes an experienced lubrication expert to tell if something is fit for use.
Signs That Grease Has Gone Bad
Change in Texture: Grease that has hardened or become too soft compared to its original consistency may not perform as intended. Discoloration or Unusual Odor: Any significant change in the color or smell of the grease can indicate chemical changes that may affect its performance.
How can you tell if bacon is rancid? ›
The most notable sign of rancid bacon is a change in appearance. Bacon that has gone bad doesn't retain its redness and will instead take on a brown, gray, or greenish hue, and the color itself will seem faded. Rancid bacon also takes on an unpleasant odor and may become sticky or slimy.
What is the shelf life of bacon up bacon grease? ›
Bacon Up is shelf stable for two years. To help extend its shelf life, do not pour used bacon grease back into the bucket. The little pieces of food and impurities that get mixed in while cooking can go bad considerably quicker than the grease itself.
Does bacon go bad in the fridge? ›
You can keep bacon in the refrigerator at 40 ºF or below for one week. Bacon can also be frozen at 0 ºF for four months (for best quality). For more information about bacon and storage of other bacon products, go to Bacon and Food Safety.
What are the white spots in bacon grease? ›
“Mold — The white film could be mold on the surface if the product is packaged where oxygen can get to the surface (i.e., packaged in a jar, or non-vacuumed bulk pack), not vacuum packaged, nor backflushed with nitrogen. Mold requires oxygen to grow and will not grow if oxygen is excluded from the product.
