Can You Mix Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil? The Pros and Cons

Cooking with bacon grease is a time-honored tradition for many home cooks. That rendered bacon fat adds a depth of flavor that vegetable oil simply can’t match. But can you safely mix the two? What are the pros and cons of mixing bacon grease and vegetable oil?

As a food blogger and home cook, I’ve done my fair share of experimenting in the kitchen And I can tell you from experience that yes, you absolutely can mix bacon grease and vegetable oil! However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before drizzling that liquid gold into your skillet.

The Benefits of Mixing Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil

First let’s look at why you might want to blend these two fats in the first place

• Flavor – Hands down, the #1 benefit of mixing bacon grease into your vegetable oil is for the smoky, salty, umami flavor it imparts. Bacon fat can be used to give sautéed vegetables, fried eggs, or pan-seared fish a delicious meaty depth.

• ** Saves Money** – Since most of us drain off and stash bacon grease after cooking bacon anyway using it again is a frugal choice. You get more mileage out of bacon you’ve already cooked, saving money on buying new oils.

• High Smoke Point – Bacon fat actually has a higher smoke point than many other animal fats like butter or lard, making it suitable for sauteing or stir-frying. Blending it with a lightweight vegetable oil helps keep the smoke point up.

• This is because bacon grease has a lot of fat, which helps keep foods like meats and vegetables moist and tender while they’re cooking. Mixing with a bit of vegetable oil helps evenly distribute that moisture.

• Prevents Sticking – Greasing your pan with some bacon fat mixed into the oil can help prevent delicate proteins like fish fillets or chicken breasts from sticking to the skillet.

Potential Drawbacks of Mixing Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil

Bacon grease has a lot going for it, but there are a few potential cons to keep in mind:

• Very Strong Flavor – A little goes a long way, and using too much bacon fat can make your dish taste overwhelmingly smoky and salty. Start with just 1-2 tablespoons blended into the oil.

• Risk of Rancidity – Like any animal fat, bacon grease can go rancid if left at room temperature too long. Storing it in the fridge or freezer is a must for food safety.

• Lower Smoke Point – While lard has a high smoke point, bacon grease is lower, around 375°F depending on purity. Heating it too high creates smoking issues.

• Not Vegan/Vegetarian – Obviously, bacon fat is not suitable for strict vegetarian or vegan diets. Make sure to note it in recipes to accommodate dietary needs.

• Health Concerns – Some may wish to limit bacon grease due to the saturated fat and sodium content. Talk to your doctor if you have cholesterol or blood pressure concerns.

Tips for Mixing Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil

When combining bacon fat and vegetable oil, keep these tips in mind for success:

• Start with a 2:1 ratio of vegetable oil to bacon grease as a basic blending ratio. Adjust to your taste preferences.

• Use a neutral tasting oil like canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil rather than robust olive oil to let the bacon flavor shine.

• Add bacon grease to a hot pan first to melt, then add room temperature oil to prevent splattering.

• Mix oils in a glass jar and heat gently to meld flavors before adding to the pan.

• Fry a piece of bread in the oil mix first to check flavor strength before cooking main ingredients.

• Store oil mix in an airtight jar in the fridge up to 1 month, reheat before using to liquefy.

• When deep frying, use no more than 25% bacon grease blended with vegetable oil to maintain smoke point.

• Saute meats, veggies or eggs in a bacon/oil blend for the tastiest results.

• Add just a spoonful of grease to flavored oils like chili oil or herb oil for a savory kick.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mixing Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil

Here are answers to some common questions about blending these two kitchen staples:

Is it healthier to use bacon grease or vegetable oil?
Vegetable oils are lower in saturated fat and sodium than animal fats like bacon grease. However, bacon fat contains beneficial monounsaturated fats. Using a mix provides a balanced approach.

Can you reuse bacon grease after frying vegetables?
Yes, strain out any vegetable pieces and store grease in the fridge up to 1 month. The vegetable flavors will blend into the existing bacon taste.

What’s the best way to store mixed bacon grease and oil?
Keep it in a covered glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. For longer storage, freeze for up to 6 months.

Can I use bacon fat to deep fry foods?
You can use up to 25% bacon grease blended with oils like canola or peanut. Any more may decrease the smoke point too much for successful deep frying.

Is it safe to cook eggs in bacon grease?
Absolutely! Eggs cooked in a bit of bacon fat is a time-honored breakfast tradition. Just don’t use 100% grease or eggs may stick.

How do I know if bacon grease has gone rancid?
Rancid bacon grease will smell sour, bitter, or “off.” If in doubt, discard grease. Always store grease in the fridge in an airtight container.

Get Sizzling with Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil!

Bacon grease is a treasured kitchen staple for a reason – nothing beats that smoky, salty, porky flavor it adds. Blending small amounts with a neutral vegetable oil allows you to maximize the flavor benefits of bacon fat while minimizing any potential drawbacks.

When used properly and stored safely, bacon grease mixed with vegetable oil can be an invaluable component of your home cooking. So go ahead – pour, blend and sizzle your way to more delicious dishes! Just follow my tips and techniques, and you’ll become a master bacon grease mixologist in no time.