Bacon fat is a flavorful fat that can add a savory, smoky punch to all kinds of dishes. From sautéing veggies to frying eggs, this rendered pork fat imparts delicious bacon essence wherever it’s used. But can you actually buy bacon fat in the UK?
The short answer is yes – bacon fat can be purchased in the UK, both online and in some stores. However, it may take a bit of searching to track down. Rendering your own bacon fat at home is also an option.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying and using bacon fat in the UK, including:
- What is bacon fat?
- Benefits and uses of bacon fat
- Where to buy bacon fat in the UK
- How to render your own bacon fat
- How to store and use bacon fat
- Popular recipes using bacon fat
So let’s dive in and learn all about this versatile, flavor-boosting ingredient!
What Is Bacon Fat?
Bacon fat is the rendered pork fat that’s left over after cooking bacon. It’s the clear, golden liquid that will often pool under the bacon strips in the pan.
Bacon fat is pure concentrated pork flavor. When bacon is cured and smoked, those flavors infuse the fat. Rendering it separates the solids from the fat, leaving you with just the smoky, salty liquid gold.
You can save this rendered fat and use it for cooking in place of oils or butter. It adds a hit of umami and works well for frying sautéing roasting, and baking.
The Benefits and Uses of Bacon Fat
There are a few key benefits that make bacon fat such a prized ingredient:
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Taste: The smoky, porky, and salty taste of bacon fat makes any food taste better.
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Versatility – It can be used for high-heat or low-heat cooking, baking, roasting, etc.
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As long as the smoke point is between 375°F and 400°F, it’s safe to fry and sauté.
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Nutrition – It’s high in monounsaturated and saturated fat, vitamins B1 and B6.
Some of the tastiest ways to use bacon fat include:
- Sautéing vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach
- Frying or scrambling eggs
- Roasting potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other veggies
- Making savory bacon fat roasted nuts
- Adding to biscuit, scone, or pie dough
- Brushing on fish or chicken before baking/roasting
- Flavoring dips, spreads, vinaigrettes, and salad dressings
- Topping soups, stews, beans, pasta, and grains
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! It adds flavor to anything.
Where to Buy Bacon Fat in the UK
While bacon fat may not be as common as other cooking fats in UK supermarkets, it can still be found both in stores and online:
Online
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Etsy – Some sellers on Etsy render their own bacon fat and sell it by the jar. This is often the best way to source high-quality bacon fat.
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Amazon – You can sometimes find bacon fat from international sellers on Amazon UK. Availability varies.
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eBay – Listings for bacon fat occasionally pop up on eBay UK. Quality may be questionable.
In Stores
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Butchers – Ask your local butcher if they render and sell bacon fat. Some will save their trimmings just for this purpose.
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Farmers markets – Bacon fat is sometimes sold at UK farmers markets by small scale pork producers.
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International food stores – Eastern European or German food shops may carry bacon fat for cultural dishes.
With some hunting around both online and locally, you should be able to track down this flavor-packed ingredient!
How to Render Your Own Bacon Fat at Home
If you’d rather make your own bacon fat at home, it’s a simple process:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb bacon, preferably thick-cut
Instructions:
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Cook the bacon in a heavy pan over medium heat until crispy. As it cooks, the clear fat will render out into the pan.
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Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain and cool.
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Pour the rendered bacon fat through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or coffee filters to remove any food particles.
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Let the strained fat cool to room temperature. Then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until solid.
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Discard the strained food solids.
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The rendered fat will keep for up to 6 months refrigerated.
Now you have homemade bacon fat ready for cooking and frying!
How to Store and Use Bacon Fat
To get the longest shelf life out of your bacon fat, proper storage is key:
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Keep it refrigerated in an airtight, opaque container. Light and air exposure cause rancidity.
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If keeping for over 3 months, consider freezing for optimum freshness. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
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Use clean utensils to remove fat as needed to prevent bacteria growth. Don’t return unused portions to the container.
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Refrigerated and frozen, bacon fat keeps for up to 1 year. If it smells rancid, toss it.
To use your bacon fat for cooking:
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Melt over low heat just until liquified. Avoid overheating.
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Use in small amounts like oil for sautéing veggies, scrambling eggs, roasting potatoes.
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Add to doughs and batters for baked goods.
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Mix with acid and herbs/spices to make salad dressings.
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Brush on proteins before roasting or grilling.
With proper storage methods, your bacon fat will stay fresh for months of cooking enjoyment!
5 Delicious Recipes Using Bacon Fat
Here are a few recipe ideas to inspire you to start cooking with bacon fat:
1. Bacon Fat Brussels Sprouts
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Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, bacon fat, minced garlic, salt, and pepper
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Directions: Trim and halve sprouts, then sauté in bacon fat with garlic until caramelized.
2. Bacon Fat Cherry Tomato Pasta
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Ingredients: Pasta, cherry tomatoes, bacon fat, basil, Parmesan
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Directions: Cook pasta al dente, then toss with bacon fat sautéed tomatoes and seasonings.
3. Bacon Fat Biscuits
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Ingredients: Flour, baking powder, salt, cold butter, buttermilk, bacon fat
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Directions: Cut fat into dry ingredients, add buttermilk, knead briefly, shape, and bake.
4. Bacon Fat Roasted Potatoes
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Ingredients: Potatoes, bacon fat, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
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Directions: Toss potatoes in seasoned bacon fat, roast at 400°F until crispy.
5. Bacon Fat Popcorn
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Ingredients: Popcorn kernels, bacon fat, Parmesan, garlic powder, parsley
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Directions: Pop corn kernels. Toss with melted bacon fat and seasonings.
As you can see, bacon fat truly takes recipes up a notch! Try using it in your favorite dishes.
Get Cooking with Bacon Fat!
While it may take some searching, bacon fat can absolutely be purchased or made right in your own UK kitchen. With its versatility and big bacon flavor, this fat is worth seeking out.
Let us know if you have any other questions about using this incredible ingredient. Cheers and happy cooking!
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Bacon Up™️ Bacon Grease Review
What is the difference between British and American bacon?
The difference between British and American bacon doesn’t really have to do with preparation of the meat. Even though American bacon is often smoked for flavor, and British bacon is often left unsmoked, or “green,” both styles of bacon are cured.
Does bacon fat go bad?
Eventually, all fats go bad. But if you filter out the solid bacon bits, your bacon fat will last much longer—up to a year in the refrigerator, in fact. For even longer storage, freeze your bacon grease. Bacon grease can replace butter, oil or other fats in recipes.
What is Bacon made of?
Whether cured, smoked, or air dried, our bacon promises large rashers of full flavoured bacon. Our bacons are made exclusively from native breed hogs and prepared in a variety of ways, cut in the English fashion with characteristic rind, or in the American style with distinctive layering of meat and belly fat.
How long does bacon fat last?
If you do filter out the solid bits, the fat can last up to a year in the refrigerator. You can also freeze bacon fat if you want to store it even longer. Bacon fat is such a flavorful fat to cook with. We use a generous amount when making Mexican refried pinto beans or black beans. Bacon fat is fabulous for sauteing brussels sprouts .