jaarr

Is this stuff usable, like chicken stock?
Somehow I remember reading somewhere about someone using it for soup or something??? Maybe in a book or something, I totally can't remember.
Does anyone know if it's good for anything? or should I just throw it out.
TIA!

Carol in Maryland

For ages and ages, cooks have saved it in a jar or can and use it for cooking. It gives wonderful flavor to anything you cook in it. Unfortunately, it also gives amazing calories and cholesterol to anything you cook in it, as well. (It is amazing as the shortening in cornbread)

mcbean

I remember my mom having a big can of bacon fat on the the counter. I don't think she ever used it for anything! I think she just let it harden and threw it away. I think she always said the grease would be bad for her pipes. Not sure if there was any merit to that statement!

JenR

You can use it as a substitute for oil or butter in things you'd like to have a smoky flavor, but it is very unhealthy. If I was a really serious cook, I might keep it, but then I'd have to remember to use it

murpheyblue

I have a little bowl of bacon fat in my fridge. We always had one growing up. DH still thinks it's a little weird but whatever. It's not something you'd want to use in every recipe as it has a distinct flavor but it is good for some things.

BigNutbrownHare

Aileen, that is so funny because my mom did/said the same thing. She would either throw it out once it solidified in the can or she would slice it thin and give it to our neighbors' dogs on top of their dry food when she dogsat. They loved the stuff. Those dogs lived extraordinarily long and healthy lives, but I don't know if it was because of or despite treats like that.

That said, I know plenty of people who cook with it. If you want the same flavor without the fat, use smoked spanish paprika. It oddly smells and tastes just like bacon.

MissPitchy

We save it for the dog. We melt a little and pour it over her dry food and she goes nuts for it. It's probably good for her coat, too!

_Sue_

I put it in a jar to harden so I can throw it in the garbage, like Aileen's mom. It would gunk up the pipes.