Last but not least, once you’ve used the stored bacon grease for cooking, don’t try to save it and reuse it. It will take some of the flavors of what you are cooking and lose some of its own. Plus there will be some microbes that might cause the fat to go rancid. Just discard it after use.

Besides, How can you tell if bacon grease is rancid?

The biggest sign that your delicious bacon grease has gone bad is when it is producing a rancid odor, which means that the product has gone bad, and you should throw it away immediately. When it has been kept at room temperature, it is likely to go bad much more quickly than if it were in the refrigerator.

Keeping this in mind, How do you reuse bacon grease? Pour bacon grease into the container. It’s important to use a filter to separate the grease from food particles. This can be a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or in a pinch, a paper towel. Put a lid on it and store it in the refrigerator for up to six months.

What should I do with bacon grease?


20 Ways to Use Bacon Grease

  1. Roast vegetables. Instead of drizzling your vegetables with olive oil before roasting, plop some bacon grease in the pan. …
  2. Fry Burgers. …
  3. Pop popcorn. …
  4. Fry grilled cheese. …
  5. Biscuits. …
  6. Fry hash browns. …
  7. Spread on pizza crust. …
  8. Use as a gravy base.

Does bacon grease go bad in the fridge?

Although many of us grew up with relatives who stored their bacon grease in a jar or can set on the counter or on the back of the stovetop, food safety experts don’t recommend storing it that way now. Instead, store the grease in the refrigerator (up to 3 months) or freezer (indefinitely).

What happens if you eat spoiled bacon?

If you eat bacon that has gone bad, you may symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chest pain, and dehydration, which can ultimately lead to hospitalization. Food poisoning from pork may come on quick, or take weeks to surface.

What does bad bacon smell like?

Smell. Fresh bacon will always have its natural meaty smell. Your bacon is spoiled if it smells sour, fishy, rotting or just really unpleasant. Bacteria growth and rancidity can make bacon smell nasty.

What can you use bacon grease for besides cooking?


Here are 13 ways to put your old bacon grease to work, ranked by how much I think you will personally enjoy them.

  • Fried Potatoes That Accrue Deliciousness Through Bacon Grease.
  • Adding a Touch of Bacon-y Flavor to Popcorn. …
  • Bird Feeders. …
  • Fire Starters. …
  • Infusing Bourbon. …
  • Bacon Soap. …
  • Fighting Nazis. …
  • Lip Balm That Tastes Like Bacon. …

Does bacon grease need to be refrigerated?

To safely store bacon grease, you must first get rid of any small bits of bacon that are left behind. … Instead, store the grease in the refrigerator (up to 3 months) or freezer (indefinitely). The refrigerator is best because the fat will stay soft enough to scoop, so you can have delicious solid drippings at the ready.

Can you pour bacon grease down the drain?

The drain is where liquids go, and when it’s hot, bacon grease is a liquid. But don’t do it. Don’t throw leftover bacon grease down the drain, be that the kitchen sink or the toilet or any other drain you might have in your house, because that is definitively the wrong way to dispose of bacon grease.

Can you dump bacon grease outside?

Throwing used cooking oil outside is not a disposal option. If you pour oil on the ground, it will eventually end up in the sewer system and cause clogs there. Additionally, animal and vegetable-based oils and greases can cause issues for wildlife when left outside, according to the EPA.

Can you pour bacon grease down the drain with hot water?

Pouring grease down the drain will stop it up even if mixed with hot water. Many people think that hot water will send the oil further down the drain and into the sewer system, but that is a myth. Hot water only delays the inevitable. As the grease cools, it will solidify, causing the sink to clog.

Can bacon grease make you sick?

With that said, bacon grease is fat and at risk for going rancid or growing nasty things inside it that could possibly make you sick if not stored properly. While many people grew up with a crock or jar of bacon grease next to the stove for easy access, food safety experts do not recommend this storage method.

How long will bacon last in the refrigerator?

Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked may only last around 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer.

How do I use leftover bacon grease?


20 Ways to Use Bacon Grease

  1. Roast vegetables. Instead of drizzling your vegetables with olive oil before roasting, plop some bacon grease in the pan. …
  2. Fry Burgers. …
  3. Pop popcorn. …
  4. Fry grilled cheese. …
  5. Biscuits. …
  6. Fry hash browns. …
  7. Spread on pizza crust. …
  8. Use as a gravy base.

How long after eating bad bacon Will I get sick?

Food poisoning symptoms can begin as quickly as four hours or as long as 24 hours after eating contaminated food. People who eat the same contaminated food, say at a picnic or barbecue, will usually get sick about the same time.

What does bad cooked bacon look like?

When spoiled, the signature red hue of your bacon may start to become dull and fade into a grey, brown, or greenish color. Spoiled bacon may also be slimy or sticky rather than soft and moist. Bacon that has a sour smell or rotting odor should also be thrown out, as this is another sign of spoilage.

How can you tell if cooked bacon is bad?

Cooked bacon and luncheon meat will have a slimy feel when it is going bad, even before it begins to show discoloration. It is hard to tell if bacon is spoiling by the scent because of all the spices and preservatives that are in it. Even if it is starting to turn, the additives will sometimes mask the odor of decay.

How can you tell if cooked bacon is bad?

How to tell if cooked bacon is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the bacon: signs of bad bacon are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any bacon with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first.

Can you get food poisoning from bacon?

Deli meats including ham, bacon, salami and hot dogs can be a source of food poisoning. They can become contaminated with harmful bacteria including Listeria and Staphylococcus aureus at several stages during processing and manufacturing.

Why does some bacon stink?

The amino acids in the meaty part of bacon react with carbohydrates used to flavor it, browning and flavoring bacon via the Maillard reaction. … Volatile organic compounds from the Maillard reaction are released, so the smell of sizzling bacon drifts through the air. Sugars added to bacon carmelize.

What can I do with leftover grease?


The Best Way to Dispose of Cooking Oil and Grease

  1. Let the oil or grease cool and solidify.
  2. Once cool and solid, scrape the grease into a container that can be thrown away.
  3. When your container is full, place it in a plastic bag to prevent leakage and then throw it in the garbage.

Is bacon grease good for skin?

The bacon grease will soften the skin tissue and draw out the splinter, making it easier to remove with tweezers the next day. … If you’re ever in need of a DIY emergency oil lamp, place a natural fiber wick inside some bacon grease and cool in a refrigerator.

Can you use bacon grease fuel?

Bacon grease, even from Hormel’s top-of-the-line Black Label bacon, is competitive with gasoline at today’s prices, about $3.50 a pound, and the mileage isn’t too shabby at 75 to 100 miles per gallon.