Cooking eggs in bacon grease is a popular technique that can make eggs taste delicious. However, some people wonder whether this cooking method is unhealthy. In this article, we’ll explore the potential pros and cons of cooking eggs in bacon grease.
Why Do People Cook Eggs in Bacon Grease?
There are a few reasons why cooking eggs in bacon grease is appealing
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Flavor – Bacon grease imparts a smoky, salty, umami flavor to eggs that people find very tasty. The rendered bacon fat coats the eggs and gives them a rich, indulgent taste.
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Texture – Bacon grease can help eggs cook up with a crispy outer texture and creamy interior. The fat helps prevent eggs from sticking to the pan.
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Convenience – Rather than dirtying multiple pans, you can cook bacon and eggs in one skillet The bacon grease is right there ready to use after cooking the bacon
Potential Benefits of Cooking Eggs in Bacon Grease
There are some potential advantages to cooking eggs in bacon fat:
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Increased fat-soluble vitamin absorption – Bacon grease contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Cooking eggs in the grease may increase absorption of these vitamins.
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Higher protein – Bacon contains a decent amount of protein Cooking eggs in the leftover bacon drippings allows you to consume more protein per serving
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Adds flavor without extra calories – Using just a teaspoon or two of the grease adds tons of flavor without significantly increasing the calorie content.
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Satisfying fat – The monounsaturated and saturated fat in bacon grease may promote satiety and keep you feeling full.
Potential Downsides of Cooking in Bacon Grease
However, there are also some potential cons with using bacon grease for eggs:
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High in saturated fat – The saturated fat content is higher than other fats like olive oil or avocado oil. Too much saturated fat is linked to increased cholesterol levels.
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Contains preservatives – Bacon contains preservatives like sodium nitrite. Cooking eggs in the grease transfers small amounts of these preservatives.
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Higher calorie – Using a large amount of bacon grease instead of a lighter oil does pack in more calories. Portion control is important.
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May stick to cast iron – Eggs can sticking to cast iron pans when cooking in bacon grease. Ensure the pan is well-seasoned and use a lower heat.
Healthiest Way to Cook Eggs in Bacon Grease
To balance flavor and health, here are some tips for the healthiest way to cook eggs in bacon grease:
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Use just a teaspoon or two of grease – This adds plenty of bacon flavor without excess calories or fat.
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Combine bacon grease with olive oil – Mixing a bit of bacon fat with heart-healthy olive oil reduces the saturated fat.
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Cook on lower heat – Using medium-low heat prevents the grease from oxidizing and forming harmful compounds.
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Choose uncured bacon – Uncured bacon without added preservatives is a healthier choice.
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Limit servings – Enjoy cooking eggs in bacon grease as an occasional treat, not an everyday habit.
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Drain eggs after – Draining cooked eggs on a paper towel removes excess grease.
The Verdict on Eggs and Bacon Grease
Overall, cooking eggs in bacon grease now and then is unlikely to negatively impact health. In moderation, the benefits of added flavor and texture outweigh the cons. Just be mindful of portion size, and combine bacon drippings with healthier oils like olive oil. As part of a balanced diet, the occasional bacon-fried egg can be a tasty homemade treat.
How to cook eggs instead
Even though frying eggs isn’t the healthiest way to cook them, there are ways to make them cheaper while still enjoying them.
Basbaum suggests, “Try cooking eggs with a cooking spray. It prepares your pan for cooking eggs with almost no fat and calories.”
Or opt for healthier fats than butter or bacon grease.
“Cooking eggs with minimal fat or using unsaturated fats like olive oil or avocado oil are healthier alternatives. Hard-boiling or poaching eggs are ways to prepare eggs without any need for additional fat!” says Tomaino. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e.
While how you cook your eggs can affect their healthfulness, what youre serving them with also matters.
“Serve your eggs with a big serving of vegetables to make your meal more nutritious, full of fiber, and healthy.” Tomaino says, “Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, peppers, and onions go well with eggs, as do dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and arugula.”
Wengler says that eating eggs and vegetables together, like in an omelet or scramble, makes the food more nutritious, helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins found in vegetables, and makes you feel fuller for longer.
Start making these healthy egg recipes right away, and for more on this popular breakfast food, read The One Thing That Everyone Is Putting In Their Eggs.
To get more news about healthy eating, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Olivia Tarantino is the managing editor of Eat This, Not That! She writes about nutrition, health, and food products.
Why the unhealthiest way to cook eggs is to fry them at high heat.
Even though frying eggs is one of the most common ways to cook them, it’s not always the healthiest option.
Thats because oil is high in calories and saturated fats. And butter is one of the worst offenders.
“If you are frying eggs in butter, you may counteract some of the wonderful health benefits of eggs. Eggs are naturally high in protein and low in saturated fat, but as soon as you add butter to the mix, the saturated fat in your dish shoots up. This is something we dont want, as excessive saturated fat in the diet is closely linked to heart disease,” says Katherine Basbaum, MS, RD, a registered dietitian at UVA Healths Heart and Vascular Center.
It is recommended that Americans limit their saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of their daily calories (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025). “Using saturated fat to cook eggs adds a lot of calories and unhealthy fat that has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease,” says Tara Tomaino, RD, a registered dietitian from New Jersey.
As Tomaino points out, you should be careful not only with butter but also with coconut oil, bacon grease, and cooking eggs in a casserole or quiche that has a lot of saturated fat in it from cream, cheese, or breakfast meats. Using all of these ingredients “can detract from the high nutritional profile of eggs,” she explains.
Theres even one step unhealthier than frying eggs: frying eggs at high heat.
“Cooking at high temperatures oxidizes oils, and when consumed this can trigger inflammation in the body,” says registered dietitian Rebecca Washuta, MS, CNS, LDN of Happy Healthy Bites. “When frying or sauteing eggs its important to use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil to prevent oxidation,” she adds.
Can You Cook Eggs In Bacon Grease??
Is bacon grease bad for You?
High cholesterol can cause hardening of the arteries, heart disease, and even your brain. Bacon grease is unhealthy because it is high in saturated and trans fats. Once the bacon has been cooked, drain the grease off the meaty slices onto a paper towel, then place it in the trash.
Can eating eggs cause constipation?
The egg itself does not cause constipation. Constipation is caused by low water intake, associated with a low-fiber diet and excessive consumption of high-fat foods.
Can you cook eggs in bacon grease?
The grease also infuses the eggs with a salty and smoky flavor, eliminating the need to add tons of salt afterwards. Plus, if bacon is already part of your morning spread, you’ll use the same skillet for both ingredients and make cleanup hassle-free. Keep reading to learn how cooking eggs in bacon grease will take your breakfast to the next level!
What does bacon fat do to eggs?
Bacon fat transforms your typical sunny-side up egg into a savory masterpiece. This is thanks to the grease’s ability to withstand high heat, allowing the eggs to fry quickly and evenly. Also, the bacon fat seasons the eggs with its rich and smoky essence without overpowering the breakfast staple.