Bacon grease is the delicious rendered fat that comes from cooking bacon. It has a smoky, salty, umami flavor that makes it a versatile and tasty cooking fat. But how much bacon grease can you actually get from cooking a single slice of bacon? Let’s break it down.
An Average Bacon Slice Yields Around 1-2 Teaspoons of Grease
-
Most standard supermarket bacon contains around 20-40% fat. This equates to roughly 1-2 teaspoons of rendered fat per average slice.
-
The exact amount can vary based on the cut thickness and brand of the bacon. Thicker cut or artisanal bacon often has a higher fat content.
-
On average, a 1 lb package of bacon (about 16 slices) will yield around 1/2 to 2/3 cups of rendered bacon fat.
So for each piece of bacon you cook, plan on getting about 1-2 tsp of liquid gold grease in return
Slow Rendering is Key For Maximum Grease
To get the highest bacon grease yield from your bacon, low and slow rendering is key.
-
Cook the bacon slices gently over medium-low heat. Avoid high heat, which causes the bacon to crisp up quickly before all the fat renders out.
-
Be patient. It will take 10-12 minutes to slowly cook out all that lovely fat. Resist the urge to rush it!
-
Cook the bacon in a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel. The thick pan helps conduct heat evenly.
Taking the time to gently render out the fat results in more accumulated grease in the end. Slow rendering helps the bacon give up all its liquid gold.
How to Store and Cook With Bacon Grease
Once you’ve cooked the bacon and rendered out all that flavorful grease, here are some tips for storing it and cooking with it:
-
Strain the grease through a fine mesh sieve to remove any bacon bits and impurities. Cool slightly.
-
Transfer the strained grease into a heatproof glass jar or container. Glass is ideal as it won’t melt like plastic could.
-
Store the jar of bacon grease in the fridge indefinitely. The fat will solidify into a spreadable consistency.
-
Scoop out the solidified fat to use for sautéing veggies, roasting potatoes, brushing on meat, and more. Reheat it first to melt the fat again.
-
Avoid using bacon grease for salad dressings or anything eaten cold, as it will re-congeal. Best uses are for hot cooking.
-
Fry eggs in bacon grease for amazing flavor. Or use it to make bacon-infused popcorn or cornbread.
-
Adjust salt usage in recipes to account for the salty bacon grease. You likely won’t need much added salt.
With proper storage techniques, you can keep that 1-2 teaspoons of grease from a single bacon slice on hand for weeks of cooking!
Factors That Impact Bacon Grease Yield
Not all bacon slices and packages are created equal. Here are some factors that affect the amount of rendered fat you’ll get:
-
Thickness – Thicker cut bacon contains more fat between the meat layers, resulting in higher grease yields.
-
Smoking Method – Bacon smoked over wood fires or applewood tend to have more fat than bacon smoked with liquid smoke.
-
Inclusion of Belly – Bacon containing more of the pork belly will render more fat than leaner back cuts.
-
Artisanal vs Mass-Produced – Small-batch artisanal bacon usually has a higher fat ratio than commercial packaged supermarket bacon.
-
Cooking Method – Frying yields more grease than baking, which allows some fat to drip away, resulting in lower yields.
-
Brand – Some brands like Nueske’s or North Country Smokehouse are known for higher fat content and grease production.
Consider these factors when selecting bacon if your primary goal is harvesting the tasty grease.
Grease Yields From Different Types of Bacon
Here’s a look at the approximate bacon grease yields from different styles and cuts of bacon:
-
Regular sliced bacon – 1-2 tsp grease per slice
-
Thick-cut bacon – 2-3 tsp grease per slice
-
Wright® brand smoked bacon – 2.5 tsp grease per slice
-
Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon – 3 tsp grease per slice
-
Pork belly – 4-5 tsp grease per 6 oz
-
Bacon ends – 5-6 tsp grease per 6 oz
As you can see, the cut, brand, and type of bacon can significantly impact the amount of usable grease produced. Consider choosing thicker cuts or artisanal bacon if your goal is maximizing your bacon grease output.
Nutrition of Bacon Grease
Like most fats, bacon grease is high in calories and contains no protein or carbs. Here is the nutrition breakdown per tablespoon (14g) of rendered bacon fat:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 14g (9g saturated)
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 40mg
While the saturated fat and sodium levels are high, bacon grease can be used moderately as part of an overall healthy diet. Just account for the extra calories from fat.
Tips for Cooking with Bacon Grease
Here are some top tips for incorporating bacon grease into your cooking:
-
Use it for sautéing veggies like green beans, Brussels sprouts, kale or cabbage. The bacon flavor pairs well with these.
-
Toss cubed potatoes with melted bacon grease before roasting for delicious smoky flavor.
-
Brush bacon grease on chicken or pork before baking or grilling.
-
Add a spoonful to enhance the flavor of beans, soups or stews.
-
Use it to fry or scramble eggs for a bacon-y taste.
-
Make biscuits, scones or cornbread with a few tablespoons of grease for richness.
-
Pop popcorn in bacon grease on the stove for a sweet and salty snack.
With so many uses, that 1-2 teaspoons of grease from a single bacon slice can go a long way in cooking!
Rendering Out Even More Grease
Want to maximize your bacon grease yield with each batch you cook? Here are some tips:
-
Choose thicker cut or artisanal bacon with a higher fat ratio. This renders out more grease than thin bacon.
-
Cook the bacon over low, indirect heat to gently melt out the fat. High heat causes crisping before full rendering.
-
Save your bacon drippings and bits in the fridge, then re-render them later to get every last bit of grease.
-
Ask your butcher for pork belly or bacon ends, which are nearly pure fat and yield loads of grease.
-
Weigh down the bacon slices with a bacon press or another pan. More contact with the pan draws out more fat.
With the right techniques and bacon selection, you can maximize the precious grease output of each slice.
Storing Bacon Grease
Proper storage is critical for preserving your bacon grease. Here are some storage tips:
-
Store grease in heatproof glass jars or metal tins. Avoid plastic containers which can melt or leach chemicals.
-
Refrigerate for up to 6 months. The grease may separate but will re-blend when reheated.
-
Freeze for longer term storage of up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
-
Keep grease in a covered container to prevent it from picking up odors from the fridge.
-
Use clean utensils each time you scoop out grease, and don’t double dip with cooking utensils.
With proper storage methods, that tablespoon of grease from a single slice can be preserved for months of cooking enjoyment!
Enjoying Bacon Grease Safely
While incredibly flavorful, bacon grease should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Here are some tips for safe and healthy enjoyment:
-
Limit bacon grease to about 1 tablespoon per person per meal. Too much can lead to unwanted saturated fat and sodium.
-
Avoid reheating bacon grease repeatedly, which can produce trans fats.
-
Monitor your cholesterol levels if consuming bacon grease regularly.
-
Balance intake of bacon grease with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
-
Choose bacon from reputable producers that avoid preservatives like nitrites.
-
Refrigerate leftover cooked foods containing bacon grease. Don’t leave them out too long.
Incorporating bacon grease deliciously and safely just takes a little planning and moderation.
FAQs About Bacon Grease Yield
How many slices of bacon equal a pound?
Most packages contain approximately 16 slices per 1 pound of bacon. A 1 lb package will yield around 1/2 to 2/3 cups of rendered grease.
What’s the healthiest way to cook bacon?
Baking bacon in the oven allows the fat to drip away, resulting in crispy bacon that’s slightly lower in fat and calories than frying.
Is bacon grease good for you?
In moderation, bacon grease can be part of a healthy diet. But it is high in saturated fat and sodium, so limit intake to 1 tbsp per serving a few times a week max.
Can you reuse bacon grease?
Absolutely! Store cooled, strained bacon grease in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. It can be reused many times for cooking due to its high smoke point.
Does cooking bacon remove any fat?
No, it actually renders more fat out! Raw bacon contains solid fats that melt and liquefy into grease as the bacon cooks. Slow cooking renders the most fat.
Get Sizzling and Start Rendering!
Now that you know a single slice of bacon can yield around 1-2 teaspoons of liquid gold grease, it’s time to get cooking! Render bacon properly, strain and save that flavorful fat, and use it to take your cooking to the next level. With proper storage and moderation, bacon grease can be a tasty cooking tool. Just fry carefully over low heat and be patient rendering to maximize your yield. So get sizzling, start rendering out that flavorful fat, and enjoy bacon grease in all its glory!
