Step 1

After cooking bacon, allow the grease to cool slightly for a few minutes.

Do not pour boiling grease directly into a container.

Step 2

Place a fine mesh strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth over a clean heat-safe glass jar or metal container.

This removes small food particles that can spoil more quickly.

Step 3

Carefully pour the grease through the strainer.

Step 4

Allow it to cool completely before sealing with a lid.

The Safest Way to Store Bacon Grease

While many people remember keeping bacon grease in an uncovered can next to the stove, modern food safety recommendations are different.

For best quality and safety:

• Store strained bacon grease in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.
• Keep it in the refrigerator, where it can last for several months.
• For longer storage, freeze it in small portions.
• Always use a clean spoon when scooping out grease to reduce contamination.
• Discard it if it develops an unpleasant smell, mold, or signs of spoilage.

Why You Shouldn’t Pour Bacon Grease Down the Drain

Even when it’s hot, bacon grease cools and hardens inside plumbing.

Over time it can:

• Clog household pipes
• Cause expensive plumbing repairs
• Contribute to sewer blockages

Instead, save it for cooking or let it cool and dispose of it in the trash if you don’t plan to reuse it.

Is Bacon Grease Healthy?

Like butter and lard, bacon grease is high in saturated fat and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Using a small amount occasionally to add flavor is different from making it your primary cooking fat every day. Balancing it with healthier fats, such as olive oil or avocado oil, is generally recommended.

A Taste of Nostalgia

For many families, the bacon grease can sitting beside the stove wasn’t just about cooking—it represented resourcefulness, tradition, and making the most of what you had. Every spoonful carried memories of hearty breakfasts, Sunday dinners, and recipes passed down through generations.

While today’s kitchens offer many cooking oils and conveniences, that simple jar of bacon grease remains a reminder of an era when nothing was wasted and flavor was built one meal at a time.

Do you remember a bacon grease can in your parents’ or grandparents’ kitchen? What was your favorite dish they made with it?

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