Where to Find Beef Dripping with Jelly – A Guide for Cooks

As an old-school British cook and baking enthusiast, I love using beef dripping to add rich flavor to roasts Yorkshire puddings, and pastry. But not just any beef dripping – for the best results I seek out beef dripping with jelly. This prized concoction contains beef tallow with gelatinous solids and protein that provide unmatched flavor and texture.

However, beef dripping can be tricky to find in many supermarkets today. So where can devoted cooks like myself find beef dripping with that glorious wobbly jelly? In this guide, I’ll share all my tips on where to buy beef dripping complete with jelly, how to use it for fantastic recipes, and why this vintage ingredient is worth hunting down. Let’s cook!

What Exactly Is Beef Dripping?

For those unfamiliar with classic British cuisine, beef dripping is essentially rendered beef fat. It’s made by cooking down the fatty trimmings from beef to extract the pure fat, then straining out any crispy bits. This leaves you with pure, golden beefy oil known as dripping.

Now, traditionally produced beef dripping also contains jelly-like solids. These are made up of proteins and collagen that add body and richness. I call this beef dripping “with jelly” – you can see the tremble and wobble!

The jelly provides incredible flavor. It turns into a delicious glaze when roasted and makes the flakiest pastry. So for the best beef dripping, look for one with jelly.

Why Cooks Love Beef Dripping

Before alternatives like vegetable oil and butter became commonplace, resourceful British cooks regularly used beef dripping for all sorts of dishes. While less common today, devoted foodies like myself still seek it out because:

• It has a rich depth of beefy flavor
• Adds moistness and color to roasted meats and veggies
• Gives the best crispy edges and bottom to Yorkshire puddings
• Lends flakiness and savory flavor to pie crusts and biscuits
• Provides high smoke point for deep frying fish, chips, and more

So if you want to cook like a traditional Brit get your hands on some beef dripping! Here’s where to find it.

Purchasing Beef Dripping from UK Butchers

The very best way to buy high-quality beef dripping is from traditional British butchers. Most classic butcher shops make their own beef dripping and sell it either pre-packaged or ladled fresh from the tub.

When at the butcher, look for:

• Golden color with jelly-like wobble
• Beefy, slightly nutty aroma
• Solid at room temperature
• Packaged with butcher’s paper labeling

Talk to your butcher and request beef dripping made traditionally with the protein-rich jelly. This gives you the full experience!

Buying it fresh ensures you get a recently made batch. The butcher may also sell “dripping joints” which are cuts of beef specifically for rendering fat.

Ordering Online

Another option if you can’t get to the local butcher is to order beef dripping with jelly online. It may not be quite as fresh, but still lets you get that old-fashioned flavor conveniently delivered.

Some top online butcher shops that sell beef dripping include:

• Donald Russell – Sells 500g tubs of beef dripping rendered the traditional way “with jelly.”

• Turner & George – Offers 500g jars of beef dripping complete with wobbly solids.

• Cranswick Gourmet Bacon Co – Includes 160g packs of beef dripping as part of their “Drippies” collection.

• Farmison & Co. – Carries 200g jars of grass-fed beef dripping rendered with the jelly.

When buying online, read product descriptions to ensure you get the jelly-rich kind of dripping. Also check reviews and company background.

Checking Grocery Store Options

If you want to look locally, some grocery stores and supermarkets may carry beef dripping, but availability will vary. Stores to check include:

• Waitrose – Stocks Atora brand beef dripping in 200g tubs, though not all stores.

• Marks & Spencer – Occasionally sells Gold Medal beef dripping, but lacking jelly solids.

• Sainsbury’s – Check the home baking section for Atora or other brands. Limited stock.

• Tesco – Sometimes has Atora beef dripping in small tubs or near the lard.

• Asda – Known to carry Atora beef dripping tubs in some locations. Worth browsing the shelves.

The downsides are grocery store beef dripping often lacks jelly, may be hydrogenated, and doesn’t advertise the production method. For the best results, local butchers and online remain my top picks.

Make Your Own Beef Dripping

If you cook a lot of roasts and want total control over the quality, consider making your own beef dripping!

• Save beef fat trimmings in the freezer from roasts or steaks.
• Simmer the fat pieces over low heat until rendered.
• Filter through a sieve into a jar, then chill.
• The best versions will solidify with some jelly-like residue.

Homemade allows you to use the exact fat type you want. Just be prepared for the somewhat messy rendering process.

Cooking with Beef Dripping

Once you’ve got this luscious gold beef fat, it’s time to put it to use! Here are some of my personal favorite ways to use beef dripping:

• For the absolute best roast potatoes – crispy and fluffy inside!

• Mix with flour for savory, flaky beef dripping pastry.

• Fry fish, chips, and other pub food for full flavor.

• Brush over meat before roasting to keep it incredibly moist.

• Add to Yorkshire pudding batter for perfect puff and color.

• Saute greens like kale or cabbage to infuse them with savoriness.

• Spread on toast or crackers for a snack just like cheese.

As you can see, the uses for this versatile fat are nearly endless. Rediscover timeless British cuisine with rich beef dripping!

Tips for Storing Beef Dripping

To keep beef dripping fresh once opened, follow these storage tips:

• Keep in a cool, dark place like a cupboard if using within 1 month.

• For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 6 months. The jelly may separate.

• Alternately, freeze beef dripping for up to a year. Thaw overnight before using.

• If mold appears, bubbles, or strange odors develop, it’s time to discard.

• Remelt solidified drippings gently in a pan or microwave to liquefy.

Follow these guidelines and your beef dripping will maintain quality for whenever cravings strike!

Bring Out Your Inner British Chef

For us passionate cooks, there’s nothing better than classic beef dripping with jelly for adding indulgent flavor to roasts, baked goods, fried food, and more. While it may take some hunting, this guide equips you to track down the best beef dripping from trusted butchers, specialty online shops, or your own kitchen.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this vintage British staple. Now get cooking to experience the beefy difference that only rich, jelly-filled beef dripping can provide! Dig in.