Commenter Ariela asked how to use the meat juices and sauces—drippings—from cooking meat. This is a cheap and simple way to add meat flavor and protein to food without adding fat. I called it “a cook’s secret weapon.” They’re not really gravy, which is a thick sauce made by mixing meat juices with flour.
Beef dripping, also known as beef tallow, is rendered fat from beef that can add rich, meaty flavor to all kinds of recipes. This animal fat was a prized kitchen staple for generations, valued for its high smoke point and fatty umami taste.
While vegetable oils dominate many kitchens today, beef dripping is making a comeback with chefs and home cooks alike thanks to its savory depth of flavor. It’s the secret ingredient for making tender roasts, crispy fried foods and flaky pastries
But like any animal-based fat, beef dripping has a limited shelf life. So how long can you keep beef dripping before it goes bad? What’s the best storage method? And how can you make the most of it in your cooking?
In this complete guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about storing beef dripping and using this versatile fat to make delicious dishes.
What is Beef Dripping?
Before we dive into proper storage, let’s make sure we all understand what exactly beef dripping is.
Beef dripping goes by a few other names like beef tallow beef fat and suet. But they all refer to the same thing – fat rendered from beef.
To make beef dripping, fatty beef cuts are cooked low and slow until the fat melts away from the meat. It’s then strained and cooled. The finished product is a shelf-stable cooking fat.
Beef dripping has a subtle but delicious meaty flavor and aroma. It was traditionally made from the leftover fat after cooking beef joints, roasts or stews. The fat was too valuable to throw away!
Nowadays most home cooks buy ready-made beef dripping to use in recipes rather than rendering their own. But homemade allows you to control the quality.
How Long Does Beef Dripping Last Refrigerated?
Freshly rendered beef dripping stored in an airtight container will keep for up to 1 month refrigerated. Place it towards the back of the fridge where temperatures are coldest.
If you’ve purchased pre-packaged beef dripping, it should last about 1 month past the sell-by date if properly stored in the fridge.
Keep an eye out for any changes in color, smell or texture. Discard if mold appears or if it smells unpleasant. For maximum shelf life, consider freezing any excess beef dripping.
How Long Does Beef Dripping Last Frozen?
Frozen beef dripping will keep for 6-12 months when stored in airtight containers in the freezer. Wrap tightly or place in bags to prevent freezer burn.
Store beef dripping in small batches so you can defrost only what you need at a time. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Continuously frozen, beef dripping can actually last for up to 2 years. But quality slowly declines over time. It’s best to use frozen beef fat within a year.
Proper Storage Methods for Beef Dripping
To get the maximum shelf life from your beef dripping, follow these tips for storage:
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Keep in airtight glass or plastic containers. Mason jars work great.
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Store towards back of fridge or bottom of freezer where temperatures are coldest.
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Freeze in small batches to avoid contamination from opening repeatedly.
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Allow drippings to cool fully before freezing or refrigerating.
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Strain well through a fine mesh sieve to remove food particles if saving meat drippings.
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Avoid light exposure which can cause oxidation. Use opaque containers.
With proper storage techniques, you’ll always have flavorful beef dripping ready to use!
How to Tell If Beef Dripping Has Spoiled
Despite best practices, beef fat can still go rancid eventually. Watch for these signs it has spoiled:
- Unpleasant smell
- Change in color from white to grey, brown or yellow
- Mold growth
- Slippery, slimy texture
- Watery liquid oozing out
- Smoking excessively when cooking
Don’t taste rancid dripping! Rancid fats can make you sick. Play it safe and throw it out.
Creative Ways to Cook and Bake with Beef Dripping
Beef dripping has a high smoke point and rich, meaty flavor that can enhance all kinds of savory recipes. Here are just a few ways to use it:
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Roast Potatoes – For the ultimate crispy roast potatoes, coat in sizzling hot beef dripping instead of oil.
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Yorkshire Pudding – Use beef dripping for tall, crispy edged Yorkshire puds.
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Pan Frying – Cook steaks, fish and other proteins in beef dripping for maximum flavor.
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Saute Vegetables – Caramelize onions, mushrooms and more in beefy tasting dripping.
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Gravies & Sauces – Use as the flavorful base for meat gravies, stews and pan sauces.
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Bread Spread – Drizzle beef dripping over bread instead of butter for a more savory flavor.
With its high smoke point and rich taste, beef dripping can replace oil, lard or butter in just about any recipe. Get creative with this versatile animal fat!
Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Dripping
Where can I buy beef dripping?
Beef dripping can be found near oils or shortenings in some grocery stores. Check the baking aisle. It’s also available to order online. Or save the fat from your roast beef.
What is the smoke point of beef dripping?
Beef tallow has a high smoke point around 375-400°F making it great for frying and high heat cooking. Similar to clarified butter.
Is beef dripping healthy?
Like other saturated fats, beef dripping is high in saturated fat so moderation is key. But it also contains vitamins A, D, E and K.
What does beef dripping taste like?
Beef dripping has a subtle but distinctly meaty, savory flavor. Much more robust than neutral fats like vegetable oil.
Can you substitute beef dripping for lard?
Yes, beef dripping can replace lard in most recipes at a 1:1 ratio. Both work well for frying and baking.
What oil is closest to beef dripping?
Clarified butter (ghee) is the closest substitute for beef dripping’s flavor profile and high smoke point. Olive or avocado oil also work.
Get the Most Out of Your Beef Dripping
When stored properly in the fridge or freezer, beef dripping can add rich roasted meat flavor to your cooking for weeks or months. Use this guide to maximize the shelf life of your beef fat.
Experiment with cooking and baking with this versatile dripping before it goes bad. With its high smoke point and savory flavor, beef dripping can enhance everything from crispy roast potatoes to flaky pastries.
So get the most out of every tasty drop of this flavorful fat! Proper storage and creative recipes will keep your kitchen sizzling with beefy flavor.
