Is It Safe to Reuse Bacon Grease?

Bacon grease is a treasured staple in many Southern kitchens. Saving those savory drippings in a jar or can on the stovetop or counter was once common practice. However, food safety standards have changed over the years. So is reusing bacon fat still safe today or an outdated habit that should be kicked?

Let’s take a closer look at how to store bacon grease properly, risks associated with reusing it, and best practices for safely enjoying those flavorful drippings again and again.

Why Save Bacon Grease?

Before diving into the safety considerations, it helps to understand why cooks hold onto bacon drippings in the first place. Here are some key benefits of reusing bacon fat:

• Adds smoky, meaty flavor – Enhancing everything from vegetables to biscuits and cornbread
• Natural cooking fat – Provides a substitute for butter, oil or shortening
• Free and convenient – No additional costs and already on hand after cooking bacon
• Traditional practice – Passed down for generations in Southern kitchens

Bacon grease is a cook’s secret weapon, imparting richness and savoriness But it only delivers on those benefits if stored properly and kept from going rancid

Potential Risks of Improperly Stored Grease

In the past, many did keep an ever-present bacon grease jar out on the counter. But food safety standards evolved for good reason.

Room temperature storage can encourage bacteria growth. And over time, the grease will oxidize and go rancid as well. Now experts recommend limited reuse and storage in the refrigerator or freezer.

Potential risks of improper bacon grease storage include

• Foodborne illness – From bacteria like salmonella or E. coli
• Rancid grease – Oxidized fat smells and tastes unpleasant
• Off flavors – Imparts a sour, bitter taste to foods
• Gastrointestinal issues – Rancid fats can cause nausea or stomach pains

Storing at cool temperatures minimizes these risks But taking additional precautions optimizes both safety and quality when reusing bacon drippings

Tips for Safe Bacon Grease Storage

Here are some best practices for safe storage and reuse of bacon grease:

• Strain – Pour through cheesecloth to remove bacon bits and impurities
• Refrigerate – Keep in a sealed jar for up to 3 months
• Freeze – For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays then transfer to an airtight container
• Limit reuse – Use within recommended time limits; make smaller batches
• Avoid cross-contamination – Never reuse bacon grease after cooking other meats like poultry

With the right storage methods, reused bacon grease maintains quality and safety for a good while.

Signs It’s Time to Toss Your Bacon Grease

Bacon fat doesn’t last forever, even with proper storage. Watch for these signs it’s time to say goodbye:

• Unpleasant odor – Smells sour, rancid or “off”
• Change in texture – No longer smooth; gritty or lumpy
• Change in color – Darkens significantly over time
• Mold – Discard at any signs of mold
• Past expiration – Toss refrigerated grease after 3 months; frozen after 6-8 months

Trust your senses. Rancid grease smells and tastes noticeably “bad” compared to fresh.

Don’t try to salvage grease past its prime. Small batches and limited reuse help avoid waste.

Is Reusing Bacon Grease Really Risky?

The risks of improperly stored bacon grease are real. But with proper handling, storage, and usage limits, reusing bacon drippings can be perfectly safe.

Here’s a quick summary of grease reuse safety:

• Straining, refrigeration, and freezing significantly control risks
• Potential for foodborne illness and rancidity do exist without those precautions
• Limiting reuse to 3 months (refrigerated) or 6-8 months (frozen) optimizes safety and quality
• Make smaller batches to avoid waste from over-storage
• Monitor for signs of spoilage like smell, texture, and color changes

While no longer recommended as a lifelong kitchen staple, bacon grease can have a temporary place in the modern Southern kitchen when handled responsibly.

Cooking Uses for Bacon Grease

Once you’ve safely saved those bacon drippings, what are the tastiest ways to use them?

For Frying and Sautéing

• Potatoes
• Brussel sprouts
• Okra
• Green beans
• Cornbread

For Baking

• Biscuits
• Pie crusts
• Cornbread
• Baked beans

For Flavoring

• Sawmill gravy
• Pasta sauces
• Dressings and vinaigrettes
• Roasted vegetables
• Popcorn

A little goes a long way. The small effort to strain and store pays off in big flavor rewards down the road.

Alternatives If Avoiding Reused Grease

Reusing bacon drippings is certainly not necessary. Those who prefer to avoid it can substitute:

• Butter
• Lard or tallow
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or other cooking oils
• Commercial rendered bacon fat

The smoky bacon flavor will be missing. But these alternatives offer similar frying and baking benefits if you’d rather not repurpose grease.

The Bottom Line

Here’s a quick recap of the key points on reusing bacon grease:

• Adds great flavor, but can carry risks if improperly stored at room temperature for extended periods
• Straining, refrigerating, freezing, and limiting reuse period greatly improves safety
• Make small batches, use within 3 months (refrigerated) or 6-8 months (frozen)
• Discard at first signs of spoilage
• Alternatives like oils and butter can substitute if avoiding reuse altogether

While not the everlasting kitchen staple of the past, reused bacon grease still has a temporary place in many Southern kitchens today with proper handling. With some common sense precautions, cooks can continue honoring time-tested traditions – just a little more safely.