Where Can You Buy Chicken Fat? A Guide to Finding and Using This Versatile Ingredient

Chicken fat, also known as schmaltz is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be used in many dishes. But where can you actually buy schmaltz? While it may not be as common as other fats like butter or olive oil chicken fat can be found in some grocery stores and online retailers. In this guide, I’ll discuss what schmaltz is, where to buy it, how to render your own, and tips for using chicken fat in cooking and baking.

What is Chicken Fat?

Chicken fat or schmaltz, is the rendered fat from chicken skin and connective tissue. Before being rendered, the fat has a jelly-like texture and appearance. Once rendered by slowly cooking the raw fat, schmaltz becomes a clear golden liquid with a rich, savory chicken flavor.

Schmaltz has been used for centuries in Jewish cuisine, but it can lend flavor to all kinds of dishes. It has a higher smoke point than butter, making it ideal for frying and sautéing. The flavor is more chicken-y than neutral oils, and it can add moistness to baked goods. Cooks also use schmaltz for making compound butters, mayonnaise, and confit.

Where to Buy Chicken Fat

While schmaltz may not be as ubiquitous as vegetable oil, it can be found in some grocery stores and online:

Grocery Stores

• Specialty sections: Check the kosher foods section in large supermarkets, which sometimes carry schmaltz from brands like Manischewitz. The butcher counter may also have rendered chicken fat.

• Whole Foods Market: This national natural foods chain carries fresh chicken fat, often in the poultry section.

• Local butcher shops: Ask your local butcher if they render and sell schmaltz. Many butchers are happy to save chicken skin and fat trimmings to render fat upon request.

Online Stores

• Amazon: Several brands like Epic and Hudson Valley Foie Gras sell schmaltz online through Amazon.

• Specialty retailers: Online meat shops like D’Artagnan or Schmaltz King offer rendered chicken fat for sale and shipping.

• Etsy: Some poultry farms and artisans sell homemade schmaltz on Etsy. This is a good option for high-quality, local chicken fat.

How to Render Your Own Chicken Fat

If you can’t find schmaltz for sale, it’s easy to render your own at home. Here’s a simple method:

• Collect chicken skin and fat. Save skin and fat trimmings from chicken over time and store in the freezer until you have enough to render.

• Simmer the fat. Place the fat and skin in a pot and cook over low heat for 30-60 minutes until the fat has melted and the skin is crispy.

• Strain and store. Pour the liquid fat through a fine mesh strainer to remove any crispy bits. Store the schmaltz in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Rendering your own chicken fat allows you to control the quality. Make sure to use skin and fat from good quality chicken.

Tips for Cooking with Chicken Fat

Schmaltz has a high smoke point of 375-400°F, making it suitable for frying and sautéing at high heats. Here are some tips for using chicken fat in your cooking:

• Sauté vegetables in schmaltz for rich flavor. Potatoes, mushrooms, or onions are especially good.

• Use it for frying latkes, chicken cutlets, or matzo balls. Schmaltz adds crispness and chicken essence.

• Add a spoonful to rice or cooked grains along with chicken stock for extra moistness.

• Mix some schmaltz into ground meat before making burgers or meatloaf. It keeps the meat juicy.

• Make compound butters with schmaltz, herbs, and spices to top meats and vegetables.

• Use a little schmaltz instead of oil when baking bread for excellent flavor and richness.

Another name for chicken fat, especially when rendered, is schmaltz.