Is Lard the Same as Bacon Grease? Examining the Similarities and Differences

If you cook bacon regularly, you’ll notice the tasty bacon fat that accumulates in the pan. And if you make dishes like pie crusts, you may have cooked with lard before But is lard actually the same thing as bacon grease? While they come from pigs, there are some distinct differences between these two types of rendered animal fats.

What is Lard?

Lard is fat that has been rendered from pork. It can come from any part of the pig, but common sources are fatback, pork belly or leaf lard from around the kidneys.

To make lard, the raw pork fat is cooked slowly to separate and collect the liquid fat from the meat and skin. The liquid is then strained and cooled to form a solid white fat.

Lard has a neutral flavor and can be used for:

• Frying foods
• Adding tenderness and flakiness to baked goods like pie crusts, biscuits, etc.
• As a substitute for butter or vegetable shortening in recipes

Store-bought lard may be hydrogenated for longer shelf life. Homemade lard retains more nutrients.

What is Bacon Grease?

Bacon grease refers to the rendered pork fat leftover from cooking bacon. As the bacon cooks, the fat melts away from the meaty portion. Bacon grease can be poured off and saved for later use.

Because it comes from cured, smoked bacon, bacon grease has a smoky, salty, meaty flavor. The taste makes it ideal for:

• Cooking eggs, potatoes, brussels sprouts
• Flavoring cornbread, biscuits, etc.
• Adding taste to soups, stews, beans
• Mixing into burger patties, meatloaf

Bacon grease is generally unfiltered and may have bacon bits. It’s best used for cooking rather than baking.

Similarities Between Lard and Bacon Grease

While lard and bacon grease have some differences, they do share some commonalities:

• Source: Both come from pigs and are rendered pork fat.

• High smoke point: Lard and bacon grease have smoke points around 375°F, making them suitable for frying.

• Long shelf life: Stored in the fridge, they keep for up to 6 months.

• Contain healthy fats: Lard and bacon grease have high monounsaturated fat content and some polyunsaturates.

• Sub for butter/oil: Can be used in place of other fats for cooking and baking.

• Easy to make at home: You can render lard or save bacon drippings after cooking.

Key Differences Between Lard and Bacon Grease

While lard and bacon fat come from pigs, some distinct differences set them apart:

• Flavor: Lard is neutral-tasting while bacon grease has a smoky, salty, meaty bacon flavor.

• Usage: Lard is preferred for baking while bacon grease is best for cooking/sautéing.

• Texture: Lard is smooth and white after straining while bacon grease often has bacon bits.

• Making it: Getting bacon grease just requires cooking bacon. Making lard takes more active effort to render fat.

• Recipes: Lard is called for in pie doughs, biscuits, etc. Bacon grease is used to flavor things like brussels sprouts.

So while these rendered pig fats share some qualities, their differing flavors, textures, and applications set them apart in the kitchen.

Should Bacon Grease Be Strained?

Some people strain their bacon grease through a cheesecloth before storing it. Here are pros and cons:

Pros

• Removes bacon bits for smoother texture
• May extend shelf life
• Essential if using bacon grease for baking

Cons

• Strips away some smoky bacon flavor
• Loses bacon bit texture favored for cooking
• More messy and time consuming

For baking uses, straining is recommended. But for flavoring foods, you may prefer to keep the bacon bits. Choose whether to strain based on your cooking preferences.

Uses for Bacon Grease vs. Lard

When should you use lard vs. bacon fat? Here are some recommended uses:

Lard

• Pie crusts, biscuits, scones
• Frying chicken, potatoes, fritters
• Spread on bread like butter

Bacon Grease

• Sautéing brussels sprouts, kale
• Adding flavor to baked beans, soups
• Cooking eggs, hash browns
• Flavoring rice, pasta, pizza dough

Follow these basic guidelines to make the most of lard and bacon grease’s distinct properties.

Bottom Line

While both are rendered pig fats, lard and bacon grease have distinct differences that make them uniquely suited to different culinary uses.

Lard offers neutral-flavored fat for baking and frying. Bacon grease provides salty, smoky bacon essence perfect for cooking.

Understanding their similarities and differences helps make the most of these piggy kitchen staples!