Save Your Drains and Your Bacon Grease

I previously mentioned that my grandpa used to keep his bacon grease in a lodge pan on his stove which he used every day to make his bacon and eggs.  I realize this creates visions of horror for many people including my preteen self while staying with my grandparents.

As I grew older, perhaps from this traumatic experience, I would drain my bacon grease into the trash knowing it was better than pouring it down the drain.  Too many other horror stories can happen when your grease becomes solid fat in the pipes!

I recently read an article in Southern Living that gave me a new appreciation for bacon grease.  My Big Guy is from a southern family, but I don’t remember the first lesson in their kitchen which was to treat bacon grease as gold.  According to the Southern Living article, “bacon grease adds savory, smoky depth to all kinds of recipes:  skillet cornbread, succotash, buttermilk biscuits, pastas and just about any type of cooked vegetable.”  You had me at savory and smoky!
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I drained the grease through a coffee filter, and it is now safely stored in a mason jar in my refrigerator.  I am already checking my cookbooks for a southern classic meal to feature this new appreciated secret to my cooking!
 

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