Want delicious, flavorful dishes? You'll need to know how to save bacon grease like a pro. (Grandma, that is!)
The One Thing Grandma Always Did When She Cooked Bacon
Updated on Feb. 11, 2022
We love Michelin-starred chefs and trendy restaurants as much as the next person, but don’t get us wrong: Nobody cooks like Grandma.
She always knows how to pack in the flavor. Fortunately, she learned a bunch of cooking skills that can easily be passed down to you. (If she didn’t teach you about baking bacon, you’re missing out!)
Want to cook like Grandma? You’ll need to learn how to save bacon grease.
Why Is Bacon Grease So Good?
This kitchen secret has been around for decades, so you can bet it’s something Grandma picked up when she first found her footing in the kitchen.
Sure, saving bacon grease might sound strange, but it has its fair share of perks. Not only does it keep food from sticking to your pan, but it also pumps up the flavor when added to eggs, potatoes, greens, cornbread and other recipes. You can even bake chocolate chip bacon grease cookies.
How to Save Bacon Grease
Luckily, Grandma’s secret trick isn’t hard to master. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Cook your bacon to perfection. (Psst… Check out our do’s and don’ts for getting your strips just right.)
Step 2: Let the bacon fat cool in the pan as you scarf down your breakfast.
Step 3: Once the greasy goodness has started to solidify, scoop up the remains with a spatula and stow it in a tin or jar like this for safekeeping. Some people store their bacon in a cool, dark space underneath their sinks (really!) but the refrigerator is also suitable.
How Long Can Bacon Grease Last?
The jury is still out on that. While some people say it’s good for up to a year, others argue that it goes bad after a few weeks’ time.
Our advice is to check in on your grease every few weeks—and toss it out if it smells questionable (try these other tricks, too). For best results, strain the grease to remove any bacon bits that can speed up the spoiling process.
Now the only thing left to do is figure out how you’ll use your leftover bacon grease. We have some ideas…
Breakfast Potatoes That Would Be Better with Bacon Grease
Southwestern Hash with EggsBefore I retired, this all-in-one skillet dish was constantly requested at office brunches. I'd leave out the eggs, double or triple the recipe and wrap servings of the zippy pork mixture in warm corn tortillas. —Barbara Beasley, Beaumont, Texas
Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cinnamon CreamTopped with a rich cinnamon cream, these pancakes are an ideal dish for celebrating the tastes and aromas of fall. —Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
Tater Tot Breakfast CasseroleWith eggs, cheese, Canadian bacon and a base made of salty tots, this Tater Tot breakfast casserole is a hearty meal that can be made in advance for any special breakfast or brunch.
Loaded Breakfast PotatoesMy kids love loaded potatoes in restaurants, so I modified them to make at home. Using the microwave for the potatoes will save you about 10 minutes. I also use thin-skinned red potatoes instead of russets to save on peeling time. —Tena Kropp, Aurora, Illinois
Breakfast Baked PotatoesHearty, savory and packed with protein, these breakfast baked potatoes are a fantastic dish to serve at your next brunch party.
Breakfast EnchiladasBreakfast for dinner? We’re in! Breakfast enchiladas deliver scrambled eggs and spicy chorizo, baked under enchilada sauce for an easy yet satisfying meal, any time of day.
Ham and Potato FrittataEasy and delicious, this hearty ham and potato frittata is appreciated whenever I've served it...breakfast, lunch or dinner. Reheated or cold, the leftovers are also great! We—my husband, our 8-year-old daughter and I—live in a suburb. But our back windows look out at mountains, farms, horses and cows. —Katie Dreibelbis, State College, Pennsylvania
Amish Potato PancakesI have always been fascinated with Amish culture, especially the cooking! I came across this old recipe years ago, and it's my husband's very favorite side dish. —Barbara Braatz, Greendale, Wisconsin
Diner Corned Beef HashI created my hash to taste like a dish from a northern Arizona restaurant we always loved. We round it out with eggs and toast made from homemade bread. —Denise Chelpka, Phoenix, Arizona
Hash Brown Egg BrunchSlow cookers aren't just for making dinner. I make this often if we're having company overnight. With just a little planning and not much work, I can prep it the night before and have a lovely breakfast waiting in the morning. —Barb Keith, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Smoked Salmon-Potato Brunch BakeThe two different potatoes, fresh herbs and different textures make this savory brunch bake unique and special.—Victoria Johnson, Gilbert, Arizona
Delicious Potato DoughnutsI first tried these tasty treats at my sister's house and thought they were the best I'd ever had. They're easy to make, and the fudge frosting tops them off well. When I make them for friends, the recipe is always requested. —Pat Davis, Beulah, Michigan
Pot Roast HashI love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast on a weeknight. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York
Beef, Potato & Egg BakeTo keep my family going strong throughout the day, I start with lean ground beef and spices, then sneak some spinach into this protein-packed dish. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Crispy Mashed Potato & Stuffing PattiesTalk about a fun way to use holiday leftovers! Making this turkey and stuffing patty is so fast. The family looks forward to this breakfast treat every year. —Kellie Ferea, Casa Grande, Arizona
Sweet Potato DumplingsOur sweet potato dumplings recipe uses refrigerated biscuits for the easiest pastry dough ever. These dumplings are as good as something in a bakery, without all the fuss (or hefty price tag).
Crescent Roll Breakfast PizzaCrescent roll breakfast pizza will make the first meal of the day exciting for kids and adults alike.
Hash Brown Maple Sausage CasseroleThis craveworthy casserole has a golden hash-brown crust that's topped with sausage and veggies. My favorite part is the surprise layer of gooey Gruyere. —Anuja Argade, Foster City, California
Makeover Hash and EggsWho knew there was such a thing as healthy corned beef hash?! Loaded with red potatoes and deli corned beef, our lightened-up version of corned beef hash delivers fresh flavors and a dose of fiber. It's so spot on, you'll swear you're in a diner. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Cheesy Sausage PotatoesFor a satisfying brunch, try some sausage and potatoes! I never have to worry about leftovers with these tasty potatoes—everyone loves them and the pan always empties. You can also serve these as a side dish at Sunday supper or for potlucks. —Linda Hill, Marseilles, Illinois
Camper’s Breakfast HashWhen we go camping with family and friends, I'm always asked to make this hearty breakfast. This camping breakfast is a favorite at home, too. —Linda Krivanek, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Savory WafflesRefrigerated hash brown potatoes will help you make quick work of these crunchy waffles. Put out lots of toppings so everyone can customize their own.
Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and EggsHash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they're easy to make. They've been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee
Corned Beef Hash and EggsThis corned beef hash and eggs recipe makes a hearty dish that's perfect for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast.
Pronto Potato PancakesPancake lovers know these fluffy delights are not just for breakfast. Try serving these savory ones as a side dish with any main, or enjoy them solo topped with some homemade applesauce. They will not disappoint. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Eggs and PotatoesLoaded with tender potatoes, semi-runny eggs and gooey cheese, this skillet eggs and potatoes recipe captures the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This recipe uses a single skillet to whip up a hearty meal in only 30 minutes.
Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast CasseroleThis sausage hashbrown breakfast casserole layers browned sausage and hashbrowns in a dish that's more luxe than the usual morning fare. The secret: cream of chicken soup, sour cream and French onion dip, all topped with melty cheese.
Brunch Hash & Egg BakeWhen my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight. I couldn't conveniently fry eggs for that many people, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work, too. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Hash Brown Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Dill CreamOn weekends when I was growing up, pancakees, salmon and bagels were our brunch staples. Now, I combine the concepts and use whipped cream instead of cream cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Sweet Potato-Cranberry DoughnutsI grew up near Idaho, which is famous for spudnuts, a doughnut made from mashed potatoes. I reworked a recipe using sweet potatoes and cranberries to come up with this variation. I like to serve them for dessert. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime CremaAdobo sauce adds so much extra flavor that you won't even miss the smaller amounts of butter and egg yolks in this smoky hash. Here's a tip: Add a splash of white vinegar to the poaching water right before you drop in the eggs. It helps keep them from separating as they cook. —Brooke Keller, Lexington, Kentucky
Chicken Hashbrown CasseroleChicken hashbrown casserole is a true comfort food favorite. Even better, this recipe is as easy as combining the ingredients and setting them to bake.
Hawaiian HashI like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Hash Brown Breakfast CasseroleOur delicious and easy hash brown breakfast casserole gives you the best bits of breakfast in every bite!
Potato FrittataThis hearty egg and potato frittata turns your casual breakfast dish into a proper meal. Serve it with toasted rustic bread and a green salad for lunch or even dinner.
Bacon Potato WafflesI like to garnish these great mashed potato waffles with sour cream and chives, or even a simple cheese sauce. My mother used to sprinkle them with a touch of sugar. —Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, Idaho
Sweet Potato HashSweet potato hash might be the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner recipe. Loaded with sauteed vegetables, browned ham, soft eggs and cheese, it has all the flavors and textures you want, whether it's morning, day or night.
Spinach Quiche with Potato CrustWhile this recipe is delicious using ingredients exactly as listed, it’s also a smart way to make the most of any leftover potatoes and veggies. Use 2-1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes and whatever cooked vegetables you have on hand. You can also substitute 1/2 pound Italian sausage for the bacon if you want a heartier quiche. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
