Great, you’ve got some bacon grease. Full of fat, bacon grease makes a fabulous fryer for anything in need of that deep crispy flavor.
But your container of bacon grease is already open, and you’ve found yourself wondering: does bacon grease go bad?
Here’s the deal: the bad news is that bacon grease does go bad.
But want to know the best part? You can find out if your bacon grease is still usable, as well as how to store it, so it doesn’t go rancid.
How To Tell If Bacon Grease Has Gone Bad
Is your bacon grease off? It’s not hard to tell. The signs are:
A stinky or uncommon odor.
Mold.
You’ll find various sources on the internet claiming you can scoop out the mold and use the rest of the bacon grease. However, this isn’t a great idea, as bacteria are likely to have spread around the tub.
How To Use Leftover Bacon Grease
Perhaps you’re here because you have leftover bacon grease, and you’re worried it will go bad before you get a chance to use it.
Why not use it today? Here are some ideas on how to use up your leftovers:
Replace oil with bacon grease for your extra-flavorful roast vegetables.
Fry hash browns in bacon grease for a crispy hangover cure.
Fry burgers in bacon grease for a New York-style flavor.
Weird bakery hack alert. Replacing half your butter with bacon grease when making biscuits can make for some uber-soft cookies!
Brush a little bacon grease over the crust of your pizza for some added crunch.
Scramble your morning eggs in bacon grease.
Like in these recipes, there are many ways that your bacon grease can be used up. Bacon grease can be a great substitute for butter, ghee, and oils such as safflower, corn, avocado, and grapeseed.
How To Store Bacon Grease
To protect your bacon grease’s shelf life once opened, make sure you store it properly. There are three main options you have.
One option is to store the bacon grease in a dark, cool place like a cupboard or a pantry. Humidity and heat aren’t great for bacon grease and will cause it to melt.
In a cold, dark cupboard, your bacon grease can last up to six months.
Nowhere cold enough in your house? Pop your bacon grease in an airtight container and leave it in the refrigerator. This will all but guarantee your bacon grease will last for a year.
If long-term storage is your thing, and you know you’ll be storing the bacon grease for over a year, then your best bet is to put it into the freezer. Either transfer it into an airtight freezer container or put it in a freezer bag. If you choose the latter, make sure it’s strong to prevent bacon grease from spilling all over your freezer!
Bacon grease in the freezer will last for 1-3 years.
However you choose to store your bacon grease, make sure you always use a new spoon and never “double dip” when using it. Otherwise, you’re likely to contaminate your tub of bacon grease, and mold will have spread by the time you come back to it!
Remember: always check the best before and expiry dates. Any bacon grease could have been on the shelf at the grocery store for weeks or months!
The Verdict
You’ve probably already realized that bacon grease does indeed go bad.
However, there are plenty of ways to extend how long your bacon grease lasts, including putting it in a cool, dark area, such as a cupboard, the pantry, or in the fridge. Otherwise, put it in the freezer, where bacon grease will last for 1-3 years.
