Bacon grease is the rendered fat leftover from cooking bacon Many cooks save this flavorful fat in a container to use for cooking later on An intriguing idea is mixing bacon grease with more common cooking oils like vegetable, canola, or olive oil. But is this a good idea, and how does it impact taste?
Below we’ll explore the pros and cons of mixing bacon grease with vegetable oil and provide tips on how to use this blended oil when cooking
The Benefits of Mixing Bacon Grease with Vegetable Oil
There are a few potential advantages to blending rendered bacon fat with neutral oils like vegetable or canola
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Adds bacon flavor – Mixing just a spoonful or two of bacon grease into a cup of mild oil gives it a subtle smoky, savory, salty bacon essence. This can infuse that flavor into sautéed veggies, eggs, potatoes, etc.
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Provides richness – Bacon fat contains more saturated fat than oils, so incorporating some into the oil gives a richer mouthfeel. This can be nice for frying or roasting applications.
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Uses up bacon grease – Blending the leftover fat with fresh oil helps use it up so it doesn’t go to waste.
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Lowers cholesterol – By diluting the cholesterol-laden bacon grease with plant-based oils, the overall cholesterol you ingest is reduced versus using 100% bacon fat.
So mixing a bit of bacon fat into vegetable oil does provide some benefits compared to using standard cooking oils alone. However, there are some important caveats to consider.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While the idea of amping up mild vegetable oil with savory bacon grease may sound good in theory, there are some potential drawbacks:
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Overpowers other flavors – If too high a ratio of bacon grease is used, it can make veggies, eggs, etc. taste too smoky and salty rather than letting their fresh flavors shine.
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Loss of high smoke point – The addition of saturated fat-laden bacon grease lowers the smoke point of the vegetable oil, making it less suitable for high-heat cooking.
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Shortened shelf life – Bacon grease can go rancid more quickly than vegetable oil due to its saturated fat content, which shortens the shelf life of the blended oil.
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Food safety – There could be an increased risk of botulism or other food-borne illness from using bacon grease for frying or sautéing at higher temperatures.
Proper technique and moderation are important when incorporating bacon grease into cooking oils. To maximize benefits and avoid drawbacks, follow these usage tips:
Tips forCooking with a Bacon Grease and Vegetable Oil Blend
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Limit bacon grease to 10-25% – Any more will overpower the vegetable oil’s flavor. Start with just a spoonful per cup of oil.
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Refrigerate – Store blended oil in the fridge to extend shelf life and prevent rancidity of the bacon fat.
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Avoid high-heat cooking – The lowered smoke point makes it unsuitable for frying foods above 325°F. Best for medium heat sautéing.
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Complement flavors – Choose ingredients like Brussels sprouts, potatoes, onions and hearty greens that stand up well to the bacon essence.
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Balance saltiness – Taste as you cook and hold back on added salt if the oil blend provides enough.
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Watch the ratio in baking – Limit bacon fat to 10% or so for cakes, cookies etc. to avoid overpowering other flavors.
With the right balance and usage, a blend of bacon grease and vegetable oil can provide a nice smoky, savory flavor punch without overdoing it. Give it a try in your cooking adventures!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about mixing bacon grease with cooking oils:
Can you mix bacon grease and olive oil?
Yes, olive oil can be blended with bacon grease. However, the pronounced flavor of good extra virgin olive oil can be dulled by the addition of bacon fat. Use a less expensive light olive oil if mixing the two.
What is the shelf life of blended bacon grease oil?
Store the mixture in the fridge for max 3-4 months. Bacon grease goes rancid more quickly than pure oils. Discard if aroma or appearance of oil seems off.
What ratio of bacon grease to oil should be used?
Limit bacon grease to 10-25% of total oil volume. Any more than 25% can make the flavor too smoky and overpowering. Start with 1 part bacon grease to 3 parts vegetable oil.
Can you use bacon fat and vegetable oil blend for deep frying?
No, the lowered smoke point makes a bacon fat and oil blend unsuitable for deep frying. Best to stick to pure vegetable oil for deep frying applications to withstand the high heat.
Which vegetables work best with bacon grease and oil?
Hardy vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, carrots, and onions hold up well to the strong bacon flavor. More delicate veggies can become overpowered by it.
Final Tips for Cooking with Bacon Grease
Here are a few final tips worth keeping in mind when cooking with bacon grease:
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Strain the grease through a coffee filter to remove bacon bits and impurities.
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Keep a metal coffee can or jar in the fridge for saving and storing bacon fat.
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Add a little lemon juice or vitamin E oil to help extend shelf life.
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Be mindful of your overall saturated fat and sodium intake when using frequently.
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Alternate cooking with bacon fat with periods of using only healthier oils to balance intake.
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Never pour excess bacon grease down the drain where it can clog plumbing – discard in the trash once cooled and solidified.
Enjoy experimenting with ways to incorporate reserved bacon fat into your cooking for an added kick of smoky, savory flavor. Just be mindful of the potential drawbacks and use proper technique to allow the flavors of the main ingredients to still shine through.
