{"id":866596,"date":"2021-01-28T16:38:19","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T22:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=866596"},"modified":"2022-02-11T12:04:12","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T18:04:12","slug":"the-one-thing-grandma-always-did-when-she-cooked-bacon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/the-one-thing-grandma-always-did-when-she-cooked-bacon\/","title":{"rendered":"The One Thing Grandma Always Did When She Cooked Bacon"},"content":{"rendered":"[dam-video dam-id=\"32086\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\nWe love Michelin-starred chefs<\/a> and trendy restaurants as much as the next person, but don't get us wrong: Nobody cooks like Grandma.\r\n\r\nShe 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<\/a>, you're missing out!)\r\n\r\nWant to cook like Grandma? You'll need to learn how to save bacon grease.\r\nWhy Is Bacon Grease So Good?<\/h3>\r\nThis 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.\r\n\r\nSure, saving bacon grease might sound<\/em> 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<\/a>.\r\nHow to Save Bacon Grease<\/h2>\r\nLuckily, Grandma's secret trick isn't hard to master. Here's what to do:\r\n\r\nStep 1:<\/strong> Cook your bacon to perfection. (Psst<\/em>... Check out our do's and don'ts for getting your strips just right.<\/a>)\r\n\r\nStep 2:<\/strong> Let the bacon fat cool in the pan as you scarf down your breakfast.\r\n\r\nStep 3:<\/strong> 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.\r\nHow Long Can Bacon Grease Last?<\/h2>\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nOur advice is to check in on your grease every few weeks\u2014and toss it out if it smells questionable\u00a0(try these other tricks, too)<\/a>. For best results, strain the grease to remove any bacon bits that can speed up the spoiling process.\r\n\r\nNow the only thing left to do is figure out how <\/em>you'll use your leftover bacon grease. We have some ideas...\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBreakfast Potatoes That Would Be Better with Bacon Grease<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 39<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"32845\" msn_thumb_id=\"110895\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nCountry Potato Pancakes<\/a>\r\nPotato pancakes, or latkes, are really versatile. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. We have them often at our house. \u2014Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin\r\n\r\n[embed_shop_button shop_btn_text=\"Go To Recipe\" shop_btn_url=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/country-potato-pancakes\/\" \/]\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Southwestern Hash with Eggs<\/a>Before 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. \u2014Barbara Beasley, Beaumont, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato Pancakes with Cinnamon Cream<\/a>Topped with a rich cinnamon cream, these pancakes are an ideal dish for celebrating the tastes and aromas of fall. \u2014Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole<\/a>With eggs, cheese, Canadian bacon and a base made of salty tots, this\u00a0Tater Tot breakfast casserole is a hearty meal that can be made in advance for any special breakfast or brunch.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Loaded Breakfast Potatoes<\/a>My 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. \u2014Tena Kropp, Aurora, IllinoisGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Breakfast Baked Potatoes<\/a>Hearty, savory and packed with protein, these breakfast baked potatoes are a fantastic dish to serve at your next brunch party.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Breakfast Enchiladas<\/a>Breakfast for dinner? We\u2019re in! Breakfast enchiladas deliver scrambled eggs and spicy chorizo, baked under enchilada sauce for an easy yet satisfying meal, any time of day.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Ham and Potato Frittata<\/a>Easy and<\/i> 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\u2014my husband, our 8-year-old daughter and I\u2014live in a suburb. But our back windows look out at mountains, farms, horses and cows. \u2014Katie Dreibelbis, State College, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Amish Potato Pancakes<\/a>I 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. \u2014Barbara Braatz, Greendale, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Diner Corned Beef Hash<\/a>I 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. \u2014Denise Chelpka, Phoenix, ArizonaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Egg Brunch<\/a>Slow 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. \u2014Barb Keith, Eau Claire, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Smoked Salmon-Potato Brunch Bake<\/a>The two different potatoes, fresh herbs and different textures make this savory brunch bake unique and special.\u2014Victoria Johnson, Gilbert, ArizonaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Delicious Potato Doughnuts<\/a>I 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. \u2014Pat Davis, Beulah, MichiganGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pot Roast Hash<\/a>I love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast on a weeknight. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. \u2014Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New YorkGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Beef, Potato & Egg Bake<\/a>To 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. \u2014Jennifer Fisher, Austin, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Crispy Mashed Potato & Stuffing Patties<\/a>Talk 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. \u2014Kellie Ferea, Casa Grande, Arizona Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato Dumplings<\/a>Our 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).Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Crescent Roll Breakfast Pizza<\/a>Crescent roll breakfast pizza will make the first meal of the day exciting for kids and adults alike.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Maple Sausage Casserole<\/a>This 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. \u2014Anuja Argade, Foster City, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Makeover Hash and Eggs<\/a>Who 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. \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cheesy Sausage Potatoes<\/a>For a satisfying brunch, try some sausage and potatoes! I never have to worry about leftovers with these tasty potatoes\u2014everyone loves them and the pan always empties. You can also serve these as a side dish at Sunday supper or for potlucks. \u2014Linda Hill, Marseilles, IllinoisGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Camper\u2019s Breakfast Hash<\/a>When 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. \u2014Linda Krivanek, Oak Creek, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Savory Waffles<\/a>Refrigerated hash brown potatoes will help you make quick work of these crunchy waffles. Put out lots of toppings so everyone can customize their own.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs<\/a>Hash 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.\u2014Kate Meyer, Brentwood, TennesseeGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Corned Beef Hash and Eggs<\/a>This corned beef hash and eggs recipe makes a hearty dish that's perfect for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pronto Potato Pancakes<\/a>Pancake 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. \u2014Darlene Brenden, Salem, OregonGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Eggs and Potatoes<\/a>Loaded 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.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole<\/a>This 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.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Brunch Hash & Egg Bake<\/a>When 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. \u2014Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream<\/a>On 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. \u2014Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, IllinoisGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato-Cranberry Doughnuts<\/a>I 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. \u2014Joni Hilton, Rocklin, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime Crema<\/a>Adobo 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. \u2014Brooke Keller, Lexington, KentuckyGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chicken Hashbrown Casserole<\/a>Chicken hashbrown casserole is a true comfort food favorite. Even better, this recipe is as easy as combining the ingredients and setting them to bake.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hawaiian Hash<\/a>I like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.\u2014Roxanne Chan, Albany, California Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole<\/a>Our delicious and easy hash brown breakfast casserole gives you the best bits of breakfast in every bite!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Potato Frittata<\/a>This 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.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Bacon Potato Waffles<\/a>I 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. \u2014Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, IdahoGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato Hash<\/a>Sweet 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.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Spinach Quiche with Potato Crust<\/a>While this recipe is delicious using ingredients exactly as listed, it\u2019s 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. \u2014Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[\/cf]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"