How Long Can Bacon Grease Be Left Out? Everything to Know

Crispy, salty, smoky bacon grease is liquid gold for seasoning vegetables, eggs, meats, and more. After cooking bacon, it seems a shame to dump all that flavorful fat down the drain. But is it safe to keep bacon drippings on the counter?

In the old days, a jar or can of bacon grease standing on Grandma’s stovetop was a common sight However, food safety standards have changed over the years While you may have fond memories of bacon grease always being out on the counter, experts now advise refrigerating it.

This article covers everything you need to know about properly storing bacon grease including

• Shelf life of bacon grease at room temperature
• Signs bacon grease has gone bad
• How long you can keep bacon fat in the fridge and freezer
• Safety tips for reusing bacon grease
• Alternatives to room temperature storage

Let’s find out how long you can leave bacon drippings out before they pose a health hazard

How Long Can Bacon Grease Sit Out at Room Temperature?

Food safety experts, including the USDA, agree that bacon grease should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After sitting out for more than 2 hours, bacon grease should be discarded.

At room temperature, the oils in bacon fat go rancid fairly quickly. Warm conditions also allow bacterial growth. Health risks increase the longer grease remains within the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.

If you want to keep and reuse your bacon drippings, they need to be refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours of rendering. Leaving the grease out overnight, for a whole day, or for several days is not considered safe.

How Can You Tell If Bacon Grease Has Gone Bad?

Bacon grease can’t just sit in a glass jar on your kitchen counter forever like it did when Grandma was alive. Here are signs that your bacon grease has spoiled and should be discarded:

• Rancid smell – It no longer has a pleasant, smoky aroma. Instead, rancid grease smells sour, bitter, or rotten.

• Changes in color: The fat goes from being clear or pale yellow to a brown, dark yellow, or murky gray color that doesn’t look right.

• Mold – You may see fuzzy mold growing in old, room temperature grease. Discard it immediately if you spot mold.

• ** Oil separation** – Fresh grease should be smooth and homogenous. Separation of the oils is a red flag for spoilage.

If your bacon grease has been sitting out for over 2 hours and displays any of these signs, it’s best to play it safe and throw it out.

How Long Does Bacon Grease Last in the Fridge and Freezer?

To enjoy the flavors and versatility of bacon grease without the health risks, you must store it properly in the refrigerator or freezer:

• Refrigerator: Bacon fat keeps for up to 3 months in an airtight container in the fridge. The cold temperatures slow down spoilage.

• Freezer: For long term storage, keep bacon grease in the freezer. It will keep for 6-12 months frozen.

These timeframes are much longer than the 2 hours bacon grease can safely sit on the counter. Refrigerating or freezing prevents bacterial growth and rancidity.

Always let hot grease cool completely before transferring to the fridge or freezer. Keep it contained in an airtight glass jar or plastic container with a tight fitting lid.

Is Reusing Old Bacon Grease Safe?

As long as properly stored bacon grease hasn’t exceeded the recommended time limits for refrigerator or freezer storage, it’s generally considered safe for reuse.

However, take some precautions when repurposing old bacon fat:

• Inspect – Give it a sniff test and look it over before using again. If smells or looks “off”, don’t risk it.

• Avoid undercooked foods – Only reuse bacon grease for cooking fully cooked foods like roasted vegetables or scrambled eggs. Don’t use for raw meat.

• Limit high-risk individuals – Bacon grease older than 2-3 months is riskier for young children, pregnant women, elderly, or immunocompromised people. Use newer grease.

• Frequently replace – To limit risks, try to use up and replace refrigerator bacon grease every 1-2 months.

While repurposing bacon fat is economical and imparts great flavor, it’s not worth getting sick over. Be diligent about checking for signs of spoilage before cooking with grease again.

What Are Some Alternatives to Storing Bacon Grease on the Counter?

If you don’t want to hassle with refrigerating or freezing, what are some other options besides leaving bacon grease out overnight? Here are a few suggestions:

• Cook and use immediately – Fry up some bacon, then make a roux, cook vegetables in the grease, or use it right away while still warm.

• Pour over dried beans – Adding the hot drippings to a pot of dried beans provides great smoky flavor as the beans cook.

• Mix into cornbread batter – Stir some into cornbread batter before baking for a savory, moist cornbread with bacon flavor.

• Toss with roasted potatoes – Freshly rendered bacon fat is delicious for roasting potatoes. Toss hot over the spuds right before popping them into the oven.

Getting creative with ways to use bacon grease while it’s still warm eliminates the storage dilemma. But for saving bacon drippings longer term, refrigeration is still the safest route.

Can You Really Keep Bacon Grease on the Counter?

While stovetop bacon grease containers may be nostalgic, it’s best not to rely on room temperature storage these days. To summarize safe bacon grease practices:

• Allow just 2 hours at room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.

• Discard grease left out overnight or longer. Don’t take risks by tasting or smelling it.

• Refrigerate for up to 3 months or freeze for up to 1 year for longevity.

• Inspect reused grease and use precautions when cooking with it again.

Though convenient, countertop storage of bacon fat can lead to rancidity and foodborne illness. For flavor and food safety, chill it after cooking. Grandma’s old bacon grease habits aren’t considered safe anymore.