If you’re wondering what to do with bacon grease, you’re in the right place.
Below we’ll outline the 13 best uses for bacon grease, ranging from fire starters to candles.
Whether you’re in a survival situation or want to reduce waste, there are a variety of ways you can reuse bacon fat.
After you discover how easy it is to reuse, you’ll never be wondering what to do with the leftover residue again.
Keep reading to learn what to do with bacon grease!
1. Use in Baking
Next time you want to add extra richness to a baked good, try swapping in bacon grease for butter or shortening.
Imagine biting into a soft cake or buttery biscuit and having sweet and salty flavors tantalize your taste buds.
Once you try using bacon grease in baked goods, you’re going to have a hard time going back to butter or oil.
Try this recipe for making bacon grease chocolate chip cookies that are absolutely scrumptious!
2. Season a Cast-Iron Skillet
If you own a cast-iron skillet, you’ll already know how important it is to season your pan. Ditch the oil and try seasoning with bacon grease instead.
Not only does bacon grease help you create the perfect, slick finish, but your food will be left with some extra smoky flavor next time you cook.
To season your cast-iron skillet with bacon grease, simply wash your pan then let it dry on your stovetop over medium-high heat.
Take the pan off the burner, then rub some bacon grease around the base using a paper towel or rag.
3. Make Fire Starters
If you’re camping in the woods and wondering what to do with bacon grease after cooking a hearty breakfast, you’re in luck.
You can make easy fire starters using the leftover drippings. Like most oils, bacon grease is super flammable and can help you ignite a fiery blaze.
Starting a campfire can be taxing work, but you can make your life a lot easier by channeling the powers of bacon grease.
Wanna make some of these handy fire starters? Just pour some fresh bacon fat into a paper cup then throw it in the fridge.
Whenever you need to start a fire, just pop one into the fire pit, strike a match, and burn baby burn.
You’ll be convinced that this is one of the handiest uses for bacon grease, especially in a survival scenario.
4. Cook Delicious Eggs
We all know bacon and eggs might just be the tastiest combination ever, and for good reason. The smoky, meaty flavors of bacon mix perfectly with the richness of eggs.
If you want to amp up the flavor, use bacon fat instead of butter to cook up some mouthwatering eggs.
Trust me, you won’t be wondering what to do with bacon grease after tasting the deliciousness.
5. Whip Up Amazing Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, but one way to take your crushed spuds to a new level is by adding some bacon grease to the batch.
If you would trade a kidney for a loaded baked potato coated in bacon bits, then you’re going to love this cooking hack.
5. Use in Bird Feeders
If you’re an avid bird watcher and wondering what to do with bacon grease, this hack is for you.
Not only will you provide birds with hearty nutrition, but you’ll also be able to attract more feathered friends to your backyard.
If you want to get crafty with your bird food, add some peanut butter and bird seed for a 5-star fowl-food experience.
6. Make Tasty Grilled Cheeses
If you want to make the tastiest grilled cheese in existence, fry your sammie in bacon grease. You’ll love the mouthwatering, bacony crispness that forms on each side of the bread.
If you really want to take your bacon-fried grilled cheese to new frontiers, try adding some sliced tomatoes and lettuce for a delicious sandwich that tastes like a BLT.
This has to be one of the tastiest uses for bacon grease out there.
7. Use as Soup Base
Next time you’re whipping up a batch of cozy soup, try adding a tablespoon of bacon grease to the pot. You won’t believe how one simple spoonful can add so much smoky flavor and richness.
You can even take this a step further by sautéing your soup fixings beforehand in the delicious fat.
8. Spread on Pizza Crust
If pizza is your love language, then be prepared for perfection in a pie.
Next time you whip up a homemade pizza, do yourself a favor and spread some bacon fat on the crust before you add the toppings.
The smoky flavor lends itself perfectly to the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. If you want to make a meat-lovers pizza with extra heartiness, keep this method in mind.
9. Pop Popcorn
Next time you’re craving some popcorn, try popping your kernels in bacon fat instead of oil.
You’ll love the touch of bacon flavor in every morsel. Pour some melted butter overtop and sprinkle with salt for the ultimate treat.
10. Bacon-Wash Your Bourbon
Wanna elevate your bar game? Try bacon-washing your bourbon!
Depending on your thoughts on fat-washing, you’re either going to love it or hate it. If you’re a purist at heart when it comes to spirits, you can skip this one.
But if you’re a fan of innovative drinks and you’re wondering what to do with bacon grease, this might just become your new favorite bartending hack.
To bacon-wash your bourbon, add an ounce of hot bacon grease to a bottle of your brand of choice. Infuse for 4 hours, freeze, then strain out the fat.
11. Create a Bacon-Scented Candle
This one is for the real bacon lovers out there.
If you love waking up to the scent of fried bacon, then try making an aromatic bacon-scented candle.
It’s super easy to make and will make your home smell like breakfast all day long.
If you’re trying to figure out what to do with bacon grease, why not make this ingenious craft?
12. Make Veggies Taste Better
If there’s a picky eater in your life, this trick will help them get their daily recommended serving of vegetables.
Whether you’re roasting, sautéing, or grilling, try drizzling your greens with bacon fat before cooking for a flavor that’s scrumptious.
13. Add to Ice Cream
If you love the sweet and salty flavor combo, then bacon-flavored ice cream is going to rock your world.
To make this decadent treat, whisk some cooled bacon grease into your ice cream base.
Drizzle with maple syrup and toss in some bacon bits for one unforgettable ice cream experience.
What to Do With Bacon Grease: Summed Up
We hope we’ve answered your question of what to do with bacon grease.
Whether you’re making the tastiest mashed potatoes or attracting more birds to your backyard, bacon grease can do it all!
Now that you’ve learned about the many uses of bacon grease, read the 5 best methods to preserve meat.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.