Bacon Fat

Wait! Don't throw out those bacon drippings!

If you're not using bacon grease in your cooking, you're missing out on good 'ole southern flavor. Most people seem almost disgusted when they hear me talk about cooking with bacon grease. What they don't realize is that back before everyone lived within 5 miles of a grocery store, people had to be resourceful. It was unacceptable to waste anything that could be reused or re-purposed.

So why save bacon grease?

For one thing it's very thrifty. Bacon grease can be used for almost anything you would use butter for when you want that smoky bacon-y flavor. If you cook a lot, butter is relatively expensive and if you're like me, anything you can save on your grocery bill is helpful.

Bacon grease is also a healthy fat. Don't believe me? Ask Google. You will probably be surprised at what you'll find.

Bacon makes everything better. That's just one of the simple truths in life. 

Here are my favorite ways to use bacon grease:

• Greasing a pan
• Cooking green beans
• Sauteing vegetables
• Scrambling eggs
• Making cornbread
• Making pancakes
• Cooking rice
• Adding to mashed potatoes (cut out some of the butter to make the proportions correct)

What are your favorite uses for bacon grease?