Can You Freeze Bacon Grease? [Tested & Detailed Guide]

Bacon grease is pork drippings and is composed primarily of monounsaturated fats.

It is a creamy white color and has the aroma of fried bacon.

Cooks familiar with it know that there isn’t any substitution for it in specific recipes, particularly those that require lots of fat or deep frying.

Most people probably have poured out all but about a tablespoonful of liquid when you fry bacon for continued cooking.

The liquid isn’t wasted. It becomes bacon grease. You can use this excellent food for cooking with as well.

Its primary advantage is that it adds flavor to almost anything you add it to, and no one wants to waste the taste of bacon that has been cooked in a pan.

After frying bacon, place the hot fat into a jar or container and let it cool.

After it has cooled, you can cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for a few days or roll pieces of paper towel to place on top of the bacon grease so that air doesn’t reach it.

But can you freeze bacon grease? Yes, you can freeze bacon grease, and it doesn’t change the flavor at all.

You can store your cooled-down bacon grease in a jar or container and place it in the freezer for up to 12 months.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to store, use and re-heat your bacon grease.

Does Freezing Affect Bacon Grease?

Freezing bacon grease isn’t a problem.

But like all foods, there are certain things that you need to do to protect the quality of the food and make sure it is safe when you use it again after thawing.

When freezing bacon grease for up to 12 months, make sure that your container is freezer safe (if not, use a plastic food container).

You don’t want to contaminate any foods you freeze by using a container for frozen foods used for other purposes.

You probably plan to use bacon grease over several months, so it will go through multiple freezing/thawing cycles as you use it.

If this isn’t the case, it will probably remain in your freezer for only a few days.

The taste, texture, and color of bacon grease change if it is frozen for too long.

If you store it longer than the recommended time limit, you will most likely notice a difference in the quality of the product when you use it again after thawing.

The oils and fats in bacon grease are susceptible to oxygen while they are being frozen.

By keeping the container tightly closed at all times (even when you transfer it from the refrigerator to the freezer), you avoid exposing it to air which can rapidly deteriorate the food.

When you thaw the bacon grease, it is still safe to use if you have kept your container closed.

If it begins to smell rancid or develops mold on top, then throw it out because this means that microorganisms could develop during freezing.

How to Freeze Bacon Grease?

The method that you choose to use when freezing your bacon grease is up to you.

A few ways will work well with this food, and we will share all of them with you in the following sections.

First, let’s talk about what containers are best to use for freezing your bacon grease.

Jars, plastic tubs, and resealable plastic bags will all work well.

What is more important than the material you use is keeping the container sealed so that air doesn’t get in and cause problems during storage.

Bacon grease can become rancid if it is exposed to air while being frozen.

Oxygen causes the fats in your bacon grease to change to a less desirable chemical structure, and it can even cause mold to develop.

You don’t want that, so you need to prevent air from entering your jar or plastic container while freezing.

Another problem that you need to avoid when storing bacon grease is separating the fat from the solid food matter.

Without good storage techniques, air can get in and cause the oil to float on top of the bacon grease.

This means your frozen bacon grease might look more like a soup than a jar full of liquid fat.

The best way to prevent this problem is by using a freezer-safe container that has a tight seal.

That way, you can be sure that the natural substance will remain in your container during freezing.

Here’s how you can store and freeze your bacon grease safely:

• Measure out the amount of bacon grease that you want to store. For best results, use a glass or plastic container with a tight seal not to be exposed to air while it is freezing.
• Put your measured bacon grease into the jar/container.
• Seal the container tightly and put it into your freezer.
• If you use a plastic bag, make sure to squeeze out all of the air before sealing the bag completely. You don’t want any air in there that will cause spoilage later.
• Make sure to mark your bacon grease with a start date to know how long it has been in storage.

How to Thaw Frozen Bacon Grease?

If you keep your bacon grease in an airtight container, then thawing will be straightforward.

The process takes only a few minutes, and you can start using it right away as long as it doesn’t contain any mold or an unpleasant odor.

When you are ready to start using your bacon grease again, put the container into a pan of warm (not hot) water.

This will melt the frozen bacon grease, and it will take on its normal consistency within 10 minutes or so.

You can use the liquefied fat as soon as it has melted completely.

Another option is to use the microwave for thawing frozen bacon grease.

This is easy and convenient; however, when you do it this way, make sure that you are careful not to overheat your bacon fat.

Otherwise, you might end up with a greasy mess. Or you could just put your frozen bacon grease into the refrigerator to thaw.

This is a slower process than the other methods, but it works for those who want their bacon grease ready for use in several hours or so.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you don’t have to toss your bacon grease into the garbage or pour it down the drain. You can use it for cooking.

Freezing is a great way to make sure that you have a supply of this healthy fat available all year long, and if you wish, you can even share your frozen bacon grease with friends and family members.

You have an excellent opportunity to reduce waste, save money and increase your family’s health by freezing your bacon grease.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

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