Creative Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Grease After Thanksgiving

The holidays are a time for enjoying delicious meals with family and friends. After cooking up a tasty Thanksgiving turkey, you’re often left wondering what to do with the leftover turkey grease. Instead of pouring it down the drain, there are many creative ways to repurpose turkey grease and reduce waste.

Proper Handling and Storage of Turkey Grease

Before exploring creative uses it’s important to know how to properly handle and store turkey grease. Here are some tips

• Allow the grease to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight, heat-resistant container. Hot grease can cause severe burns.

• Strain the grease through a mesh strainer to remove any food particles. This helps prevent spoilage.

• Store the grease in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or in the freezer for up to a year. This prevents bacterial growth.

• Never pour grease down the drain as it can clog pipes. Always dispose of grease in the trash once it has fully solidified.

Cooking and Flavoring with Turkey Grease

One of the best uses for turkey grease is cooking and flavoring foods. The rich, savory flavor makes it a tasty substitute for oils or butter. Try using turkey grease for:

• Gravies and sauces – Delicious drizzled over mashed potatoes or used to make turkey gravy.

• Roasting vegetables – Brings out incredible flavor when roasting potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts and more.

• Sautéing aromatics – Turkey grease enhances flavor when sautéing onion, garlic, celery, etc.

• Eggs and hash – Adds richness when frying eggs or making potato hash.

• Stir fries – Use in place of oil when making turkey fried rice or stir fry dishes.

• Baking – Can be substituted for oil or butter in recipes for moist turkey stuffing, savory pies, flavored breads and more.

With so many uses in cooking, turkey grease is a flavorful way to cut down on waste.

Homemade Turkey Grease Soap

Feeling crafty? Make luxurious handmade soap using leftover turkey grease. It’s a fun DIY project that repurposes grease into a lovely gift. Here’s how:

• Melt and strain the turkey grease into a heat safe container.

• Following a turkey grease soap recipe, slowly add lye and water to the melted grease. Stir well.

• Add essential oils or herbs for scent and color if desired.

• Pour into soap molds and let harden completely before removing from the molds.

• Allow the turkey grease soap bars to cure for 4-6 weeks before using.

You’ll be left with moisturizing soaps that leave hands feeling soft and clean!

Grease as a Natural Lubricant

The thick, oily consistency of turkey grease makes it a handy natural lubricant for various household uses:

• Lubricate stuck zippers – Rub a bit of grease on zipper teeth to help them glide smoothly.

• Oil hinges – Stop squeaks by putting some grease on door hinges and cabinet hinges.

• Protect wood – Rub a thin coating on wooden cutting boards, utensils and butcher blocks to condition wood and prevent drying.

• Lubricate tools – Use to lubricate garden tools, workshop tools, scissors, etc to prevent rust and debris buildup.

Turkey grease provides a cheap, eco-friendly lubricant alternative for around the home.

Fire Starters from Turkey Grease

For your next camping trip or bonfire, make reusable fire starters from turkey grease. Here’s how:

• Let turkey grease solidify in a container. Cut or break into small pieces.

• Add the grease pieces to a muffin tin along with dryer lint or wood shavings.

• Optionally, insert a wick made of cotton string into each muffin cup.

• Allow the grease fire starters to fully harden then store in an airtight bag or container.

To use, simply place a grease fire starter in your fire pit or campfire and light it with a match. The flammable grease will help the fire start quickly and burn steadily.

Feed Birds with Turkey Grease Treats

Leftover turkey grease can also be used to make high-calorie treats for your feathered friends. Make tasty bird feeders by:

• Mixing turkey grease with birdseed, dried fruit, oats or cornmeal.

• Spreading the mixture onto pinecones, recycled containers, or stuff it into holes drilled into wood.

• Rolling the mixture into balls or logs and placing them into bird feeders.

The oil and fat will help attract birds while providing them with beneficial nutrients and calories.

Moisturize Leather Goods

Revive dried leather bags, shoes, belts and more by using turkey grease as an all-natural leather conditioner.

• Apply a small amount of grease to a soft cloth then massage it gently into the leather.

• Allow it to soak in for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for very dry leather.

• Buff off any excess grease with a clean cloth.

The oils in turkey grease will penetrate to moisturize leather while adding a protective conditioning layer to repel water.

Eco-Friendly Grease Disposal

Once you’ve exhausted all possible uses, make sure to dispose of turkey grease properly:

• Allow grease to fully solidify in the container before throwing it away. Never pour grease down drains.

• Mix small amounts of grease into your compost pile. Too much can overwhelm the compost.

• Check if your community offers a cooking oil recycling program. Some recycling centers accept household grease.

• Bring grease in a sealed container to your local household hazardous waste disposal site.

By following these creative ideas, you can get the most use out of turkey grease. Reduce waste, add flavor to cooking, care for your home and help wildlife by repurposing it. With proper handling and disposal, leftover turkey grease can become a handy and versatile byproduct rather than an environmental hazard.