I love the way it drips. Is it store-bought or the real thing? If it’s the real thing, it might spit a little in the pan. Getting my tummbly rumbly ready makes me think of when my dad used to make steamed steak and kidney pudding at home.
Itll be shop stuff. I didnt realise there was an alternative so Im falling at the first hurdle!. I can cope with spitty. Ill out loads of tea towels down.
The shop food should be fine since all the meat juices and bits have been taken out. If you cook beef for a Sunday roast, the fat beef will spit like crazy; I tried it once. Big, chunky home-made chips Good luck anyway.
Dont mean to sound like a wet blanket but high fat high carb combinations are a metabolic timebomb. Yes, deep fry in beef fat, but make something low-carb like chicken with a Parmesan crust or courgette fries.
I don’t think the carbs are a problem for people who want to deep fry food in beef fat.
Its true Im not worried about carbs, or fats. Just taste. How does one store the fat when its been used though? Scrape it out into Tupperware & refrigerate?.
As it melts, put it in a bowl of cold water. The chunks will sink to the bottom, and the fat that has been filtered will rise to the top. Remove when set and refrigerate in a tupperware type thing.
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For generations, beef dripping has been prized for its rich, beefy flavor when used for frying foods like fish, chips, and donuts. But can you safely use this classic frying fat in a modern electric deep fat fryer? We’ll explore the pros, cons, and best practices for cooking with beef tallow in your kitchen fryer.
What is Beef Dripping?
Beef dripping also called beef tallow is a type of animal fat produced from the fatty or otherwise unusable parts of a cow. It has a high smoke point, making it excellent for deep frying.
To make beef dripping, beef fat trimmings are rendered by melting down the fat in a pan or pot. Once cooled and strained, the remaining pure fat is beef dripping. It has a rich, meaty flavor perfect for achieving crispy fried foods.
Is Beef Dripping Safe For Frying?
When used properly, beef dripping is generally safe for deep frying However, there are a few precautions to take
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Use pure clean dripping. Impurities can cause splattering or smoke.
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Maintain proper temperature control. Overheating can cause oil breakdown and smoke.
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Change the fat frequently. The longer oil is used, the more it will break down.
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Use caution. Hot oil can cause severe burns if splattered or spilled.
As long as you follow basic safety practices, dripping can be used without issue. High quality fryers with precise thermostats help minimize risks.
Benefits of Frying with Beef Dripping
There are several advantages to using beef tallow for deep frying:
Flavor – Beef dripping imparts a rich, meaty flavor you can’t get from vegetable oils. Foods take on a delicious, old-fashioned taste.
High smoke point – With a smoke point of 420°F, dripping can withstand the high heat of deep frying without burning.
Long frying life – The saturated fats in beef dripping break down slowly, letting you reuse it more times than vegetable oil before replacing.
Texture – Foods fried in beef fat come out wonderfully crispy on the outside and moist inside. Great for fish, chips, donuts, etc.
Tradition – It’s been used for generations to fry foods across the UK and beyond. Celebrate culinary history!
Potential Drawbacks of Cooking with Dripping
While delicious, here are a few potential cons of using beef tallow for frying:
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Saturated fat – Like other animal fats, dripping is high in saturated fat which should be limited in the diet.
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Strong flavor – The beefy taste may overpower more delicate ingredients. Not ideal for everything.
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Safety hazards – Hot oil can cause severe burns. Must be cautious when cooking.
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Fat disposal – Once used, the remaining fat must be discarded properly, not poured down drains.
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Availability – Not as widely available as standard vegetable oils. May need to render your own.
Tips for Using Dripping in a Fryer
Here are some top tips for safely using beef dripping in your deep fat fryer:
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Start with 1-2 inches of fat in the fryer so food has room to cook evenly.
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Maintain the temperature between 350-375°F. Overheating can cause smoking.
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Use a deep-frying thermometer to monitor temperature. Don’t rely solely on the built-in thermostat.
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Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature. Adding too much food cools it down.
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Blot food thoroughly dry before frying to prevent splattering.
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Turn food frequently for even cooking. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to avoid burns.
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When finished, allow the fat to fully cool before straining and storing for later reuse.
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Discard old fat after 4-5 uses as it will break down and smoke. Start fresh for safety.
Alternatives to Beef Dripping
If you want to avoid some drawbacks of beef tallow, consider these alternative frying fats:
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Lard – Rendered and clarified pork fat. Also has a high smoke point and rich flavor.
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Duck/goose fat – Provides a rich taste while being lower in saturated fat than beef dripping.
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Coconut oil – A plant-based oil high in beneficial fats. Imparts light coconut flavor.
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Peanut oil – Neutral flavor vegetable oil with a high smoke point of 450°F.
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Canola oil – Budget-friendly option high in monounsaturated fats. More delicate flavor.
Get Frying!
Beef dripping is a classic choice for deep frying that can safely be used in modern kitchen fryers. For unmatched flavor and crispy texture, consider cooking up fish, fries, and other favorites in beef tallow. Follow basic safety tips, use a quality fryer with temperature controls, and enjoy this old fashioned fat in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Get ready to fry up some delicious beef dripping delicacies!
What are the benefits of frying in beef dripping? – Fish & Chips Training Video
FAQ
Can you use beef dripping instead of oil?
Can I use beef tallow in a deep fryer?
Can you use beef dripping in a deep fat fryer?
There are several benefits to using beef dripping in your deep fat fryer. Firstly, beef dripping has a high smoke point of 210°C, which means it can withstand high temperatures without burning or smoking. This makes it an ideal choice for deep frying foods.
Is deep frying butter safe?
Deep frying butter is safe, but as other sorts of fat, it’s recommended not consume it every day. What is more, when people are warming butter, the level of oxidation is always increasing and the result is that this kind of food become unhealthy.
Is beef dripping good for frying?
Additionally, beef dripping has a very long frying life, outperforming vegetable oils and fats. This is due to its high oxidative stability, which means that it can be used for multiple frying sessions without breaking down or becoming rancid. Another advantage of using beef dripping is its excellent flavor.
Can you fry chips in beef dripping?
The best way to fry chips in beef dripping is to triple cook them. The best way to do this is to blanch the chips in salted water until they’re just cooked, for starters. Then drain them, and dry them very well. Heat up the dripping in your fryer to a hundred and twenty degrees celsius, and fry the chips for drive minutes. You certainly can!