Keto Cooking With Bacon Grease: Tips And Tricks

Bacon grease is a popular leftover product from cooking bacon that can be used in a variety of ways, especially for those on the keto diet. It can be used as a substitute for butter or oil in many recipes, and can add a depth of flavour to dishes. One popular use for bacon grease is to make keto bacon mayonnaise, also known as baconnaise, which involves mixing bacon grease with egg yolk, vinegar or lemon juice, and dijon mustard. Bacon grease can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to six months, or in the freezer for up to a year. While bacon grease is a popular choice for those on the keto diet, it is important to note that it is a source of saturated fat, which has been linked to higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. As such, it should be consumed in moderation and in combination with unsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, avocado, and nuts.

How to make keto bacon mayonnaise

Bacon mayonnaise, or baconnaise, is a tasty and easy-to-make keto condiment. It's creamy like regular mayonnaise but packed with bacon flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make keto bacon mayonnaise at home.

Ingredients:

• Bacon grease (leftover)
• Egg yolk(s)
• Vinegar or lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Utensils:

• Food processor or blender
• Bowl
• Whisk
• Container for storage (jar or bowl)

Method:

Start by preparing your bacon grease. If it's in a solid state, you'll need to melt it. Take half a cup of bacon grease and melt it in the microwave, then let it cool to room temperature. This step ensures the grease blends well with the other ingredients.

In a food processor or blender, combine the egg yolk(s), vinegar or lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Pulse or blend until the ingredients are well combined. You can also do this by hand with a whisk if you don't have access to a food processor or blender.

With the machine running, or while whisking vigorously by hand, very slowly drizzle in the liquid bacon grease. This step is crucial—adding the grease too quickly will result in a broken emulsion, leaving you with an oily liquid instead of mayonnaise. Take your time and add the grease in a thin, steady stream.

Once all the grease has been incorporated, taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Transfer your freshly made keto bacon mayonnaise to a jar or bowl, cover it, and store it in the fridge. It will keep for up to three to five days.

Serving Suggestions:

Keto bacon mayonnaise is a versatile condiment that can be used in various dishes. Spread it on sandwiches, use it as a base for dips or dressings, or add it to deviled eggs. It's also delicious on burgers, grilled cheese, or even as a topping for roasted meats. Get creative and enjoy the bacon-y goodness!

How to store bacon grease

Bacon grease is a precious ingredient that adds a savory, smoky depth to recipes. It can be used to add flavor to skillet cornbread, succotash, buttermilk biscuits, pastas, and cooked vegetables. Here are some tips on how to store bacon grease:

Collecting Bacon Grease

Let the grease cool briefly before you start working with it so that you don't get burned by splatters or spills. If the grease cools to lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will become a solid. In that case, you can gently reheat it until it returns to its liquid state. Keeping bacon bits out of your grease will allow it to stay fresh longer and improve the taste of your dishes, so straining is key.

Storing Bacon Grease

Although previous generations stored bacon grease on the counter, experts now recommend storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. The refrigerator is best because the fat will stay soft enough to scoop. If stored in the refrigerator, the bacon grease will last for about three to four months. In the freezer, it can last indefinitely.

Containers for Bacon Grease

Use glass or metal containers to prevent the grease from picking up flavors and odors left behind on plastic. Transfer the strained grease to a heat-safe food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. You can also freeze the bacon grease in small silicone molds, then pop them out into a zip-top freezer bag so you have easy individual portions to use.

How to use bacon grease like butter

Bacon grease is a versatile fat that can be used in place of butter in many recipes. Here are some tips and ideas for using bacon grease like butter:

Storing Bacon Grease:

• Allow the grease to cool until it is safe to handle but still in a liquid state.
• Use a metal can or a glass or plastic container to store the grease. If using a glass or plastic container, wait for the grease to cool completely before transferring.
• Cover the container to prevent the bacon smell from permeating other foods in the fridge.
• Bacon grease can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months or in the freezer for up to 1 year.

Using Bacon Grease in Recipes:

• Use bacon grease like butter and spread it on low-carb bread or vegetables.
• Cook your morning eggs in bacon grease instead of butter. It adds a delicious smoky flavour.
• Fry grilled cheese sandwiches in bacon grease for an extra crispy and flavourful treat.
• Add bacon grease to a pan of hash browns for a match made in heaven.
• Spread bacon grease on the outer layers of a grilled cheese or panini sandwich before cooking for a nice crunch.
• Use bacon grease to grease a sheet pan before baking a sheet-pan meal. It adds a smoky, salty flavour to the dish.
• Grease your grill grates with bacon grease to prevent food from sticking and to add extra flavour.
• Cook croutons or French fries in bacon grease for a delicious, crispy treat.
• Make a warm bacon vinaigrette by heating bacon grease in a skillet, adding chopped alliums, vinegar, olive oil, and mustard. Drizzle this over cooked veggies or salads.
• Sauté a chicken breast in bacon grease to add flavour and keep the meat moist.
• Add bacon grease to mashed potatoes for extra flavour.
• Use bacon grease as the base for a gravy, especially a sausage gravy for biscuits and gravy.
• Spread bacon grease on BLT toast instead of butter to enhance the bacon flavour.
• Use bacon grease in place of butter in biscuit, cornbread, or scone recipes.
• Season a cast-iron skillet with bacon grease to build a base flavour and keep the surface non-stick.

With these tips and ideas, you can easily incorporate bacon grease into your cooking and enjoy the delicious flavour it adds to your dishes!

How to strain bacon grease

Bacon grease is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add flavour to a variety of dishes. To make the most of this tasty treat, it's important to know how to properly strain and store your bacon grease. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, gather your equipment. You will need a strainer (a medium-sized one works best), a glass jar or ceramic mug/ramekin to collect the strained grease, and a lid for the jar. If your strainer has a long handle, you'll also need something to prop it up to prevent it from falling over. A coffee filter is also optional but recommended.

Take your coffee filter and bring the centre to a point. This will help the bacon grease pool in the middle of the filter and reduce spills. Place the filter in your strainer and centre it. You can secure the filter to the top of your jar with a rubber band if you like.

Next, fry your bacon on low heat for 10-12 minutes. Avoid high temperatures as this can burn your bacon and make the fat bitter. Once your bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan, leaving the hot grease and bacon bits behind.

Carefully pour the hot grease into the centre of the filter and strainer. It's important to strain the grease while it's still hot, as it will solidify as it cools and won't strain properly. Leave the grease to filter for at least 15 minutes.

Once the grease has been strained, discard the filter and any leftover bacon bits. Transfer the strained grease into a glass jar or another glass container—avoid using plastic. Seal the container tightly and store it in the fridge or freezer. Bacon grease can last for up to six months in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer.

And that's it! You now have delicious, strained bacon grease that you can use to add flavour to your favourite dishes. Enjoy experimenting with this tasty ingredient!

How to use bacon grease in keto bread crumbs

Bacon grease is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various keto-friendly recipes, including bread crumbs. Here are some tips and ideas on how to use bacon grease in keto bread crumbs:

Storing Bacon Grease

Before using bacon grease in your keto bread crumbs, it's important to properly store it to ensure its freshness and longevity. Allow the grease to cool down after cooking your bacon, but make sure it's still in a liquid state. Use a low to medium heat setting when cooking bacon to preserve the fat and its molecular structure. You can then pour the grease into a container, such as a glass jar, and store it in the refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life. Refrigerated bacon grease can last for up to six months, while frozen grease can be stored for up to a year.

Making Keto Bread Crumbs

To make keto-friendly bread crumbs, you can use crushed pork rinds as a substitute for traditional bread crumbs. Pork rinds are a zero-carb snack option and can be easily crushed to create a bread crumb-like texture. You can crush them using a rolling pin for a coarser, panko-style texture or blend them in a high-speed blender for a finer consistency. Seasonings like Italian seasoning or smoked paprika can be added, but be cautious of adding salt as pork rinds are already quite salty.

Using Bacon Grease in Keto Bread Crumbs

Now, here's how you can incorporate bacon grease into your keto bread crumbs:

• Coating for Proteins and Vegetables: Bacon grease can be used as a flavourful coating for proteins such as chicken or vegetables like zucchini. Dip your ingredients in the bacon grease, then coat them with the keto bread crumbs before frying. This adds a delicious crispy texture to your dishes.
• Breading Mixture: Combine bacon grease with your keto bread crumbs to create a moist breading mixture. This can be used to coat proteins or vegetables before frying, baking, or air-frying. The bacon grease will add a savoury flavour and help the bread crumbs adhere to your ingredients.
• Seasoning Enhancement: Bacon grease is packed with flavour, so adding a small amount to your keto bread crumbs can enhance the taste of your dishes. Simply mix the grease into the bread crumbs until evenly distributed, then use this mixture as a coating for your favourite proteins or veggies.
• Keto-Friendly Dishes: When using bacon grease in your keto bread crumbs, consider pairing them with other keto-friendly ingredients. For example, you could coat chicken breasts or zucchini chips with the bread crumb mixture and then bake or fry them. This way, you create a delicious and keto-compliant meal.

By following these tips and ideas, you can incorporate bacon grease into your keto bread crumbs to elevate the flavour and texture of your keto-friendly dishes.

Frequently asked questions