Run out bacon grease? Worry not, for there are numerous substitutes for bacon grease in the market. This grease can prepare different dishes, and you don’t have to throw it away anytime you cook your bacon. All that is needed is storing and preserving the grease, so you incorporate it in your next cuisine. The grease gives your food a good taste and pleasant aroma.
There are, however, those who don’t love that Smokey taste in their dishes, especially the non-bacon eaters who avoid it due to religion or diet concerns. So if there’s no more bacon grease left in your kitchen, I will enlighten you on great substitutes for bacon grease in your recipes. So keep reading to understand more.
What is Bacon Grease?
So you have bought your bacon from the stores, and now it’s time to cook. You place a pan onto the stove, heat it thoroughly, and then you place your bacon strips onto it. As the bacon cooks, you will notice some fat bubbles sizzling from the bacon. The fat bubbles that settle onto the pan after cooking are the bacon grease. Ideally, bacon grease is the by-product of cooking bacon, and it has high cholesterol levels.
What is The Smoke Point of Bacon Grease?
Smoke point is the point at which temperatures rise till the oil begins to smoke. As the temperature rises, so do the fatty acids break. This causes your food to have a bitter flavor. Bacon is fatty meat and has a smoking point of 3500. If the grease temperatures exceed that, then it becomes dangerous for human consumption.
Related : Why is bacon so salty
Bacon Grease Alternative
Bacon grease is good, not forgetting quite flavorful. You can use it to roast your vegetables, pop popcorns, and spread on pizza crust, among so many other uses. So, if you want to add the bacon flavor to your dish but have no more grease left in store, here is what you can use: –
1. Butter
Butter closely resembles lard and, their extraction process is similar. It is perfect for sautéing and pan-frying and blends so well with deli spices. Butter has no pungent smell, making it a good option for baking. It also adds texture to your baked products and doesn’t leave them with an oily look. That way, your health is not compromised.
Another good thing about butter is that plant-based butter is available in the market. It is good for your skin, eyes, and skin, thanks to the high vitamin levels and beta-carotene. It, however, should be consumed in moderation as an excess of it can harm your health.
2. Lard
Both lard and bacon grease have similar tastes and smells, with the taste of lard being a bit sharper. Its aroma is breathtaking, especially when sautéed with onions and garlic. It is excellent for baking, frying, roasting, grilling, and sautéing. The good thing is that there are several types available, and you can go for the plant-based, sheep-based, or pork-based.
Lard is a healthy fat option, great for your heart, with 48% mono-saturated fatty acids that maintain the health of your body cells and lower blood cholesterol. You can use small amounts of lard in shallow frying or even large quantities in deep frying.
3. Chicken Skin Grease
If you don’t eat pork; but are a chicken lover, then chicken skin grease is a perfect substitute. Chicken skin oil can stir-fry and sauté your foods. Its flavor and aroma are rich, just like that of bacon grease. It’s also readily available in stores, so it won’t be a headache getting it.
4. Beef Fat
This animal-based fat is nutrient-rich with a soft, juicy texture that makes it stand out among so many recipes. It is especially perfect for your gravies. Its preparation is lengthy as the fat takes a lot of time to melt nicely, but the effort is very worth it.
You can use it to prepare your pasta and noodles, rice toppings and oh! It’s perfect for grilled dishes as it adds tenderness and juiciness to your meat dishes.
5. Sesame Oil
An extract of sesame seeds, this oil is a healthier alternative compared to bacon grease. The flavor sesame oil adds to your stews, desserts, rice toppings is so good. Not only will this oil lower your chances of developing chronic diseases, but it also helps fight arthritis and heart problems.
6. Olive Oil
Olive oil is cholesterol-free and so nutritious. It goes well with all the dishes you might want to prepare and leaves the food with an oil-free texture. Try using it in your meats the next time you hosting your family for dinner. It is suitable for salad dressing and savory dips.
7. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil gives your food a nutty smell that you will love. The flavor itself is excellent and used in marinades, dips, and baking. It is rich in omega six and vitamin E that fight chronic diseases in our system. Peanut oil also regulates the bad cholesterol in your body, keeping your heart healthy.
This oil, however, can burn fast, and observing extra care when cooking with it is necessary. You wouldn’t want to throw away your food because of how bitter it turned to be after burning your oil.
Substitutes For Bacon Drippings
Any fat can substitute bacon drippings in the market. Going for a low-fat substitute, however, is not recommended. Examples of oils work as well as bacon drippings include: –
1. Soybean Oil
Soybean has a high smoking point and is ideal for frying, baking, and roasting your foods. Soybean is very good for your skin, bones, and heart.
2. Canola Oil
Canola oil has less amount of saturated fats, which is healthy. The oil has a light flavor and a smooth texture that goes well with your dishes. You can use canola oil in sautéing, baking, and stir-frying your food.
3. Almond Oil
Almond oil is famous for skin and hair products. Almond cooking oil carries magical health benefits like keeping your heart healthy, keeping blood sugar levels in check, and lowering cholesterol.
Other substitutes that you can use include: –
- Pumpkin seed oil.
- Grapeseed oil
- Margarine
- Walnut oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Hazelnut
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQS)
How do I Store Bacon Grease?
You can store your bacon grease in any container. Just ensure you secure the containers’ lid tightly and then freeze it in the freezer.
How Long Can Bacon Grease Last?
Bacon grease stored in the fridge can last for up to 6 months without going bad. In the freezer, the fat can last up to a year.
Are There Other Uses of Bacon Grease Other Than Cooking?
Yes!
You can use bacon grease in softening splinter on skins for easy removal and repelling bugs in bug-infested areas.
Conclusion
There are quite a number of alternatives you can use in place of bacon grease. So do not hesitate to grab that jar of sesame or peanut oil just because you aren’t sure whether it will blend with the dish you want to prepare. You can even get several types of oil and try them out in different dishes.