Freezing Pork Dripping: The Complete Guide to Preserving This Flavorful Fat

You bought some AdapTable Meals products without realizing that they were about to go bad? That’s okay! There’s an easy way to make sure the food stays fresh and edible until you’re ready to eat it: just freeze the products and then thaw them when you’re ready to eat them. It’s easy and quick to make sure you always have a tasty meal ready to eat by freezing pork products. When you freeze pork, you stop the growth of bad bacteria, so it’s safe to eat after it’s been thawed properly. Also, letting pork thaw makes it easier for marinades and seasonings to soak in, making the meat even more flavorful and juicy when it’s cooked. You can safely and correctly freeze and thaw your pork products with our tips and tricks. This includes your AdapTable Meals pork chops and roasts.

Never thaw meat at room temperature. For example, your kitchen counter is NOT safe to use for thawing. Instead, here are some thawing techniques:

Pork dripping, also known as pork grease or pork fat, is the delicious rendered fat and pan juices leftover from cooking pork This flavor-packed liquid is treasured by cooks for taking dishes to the next level But like any animal fat, pork dripping is perishable and requires proper storage for maximum freshness and shelf life.

Many cooks have asked — can you freeze pork dripping to save it for later use? The answer is a resounding yes! Freezing is an ideal way to preserve pork drippings long-term. When handled properly, frozen pork fat maintains quality and flavor for months.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about successfully freezing, storing, and using pork drippings. Let’s dive in!

Why Freeze Pork Drippings?

Freezing offers several advantages over refrigerating pork fat:

Long shelf life – Frozen pork fat keeps for 4 to 6 months with minimal quality deterioration. Refrigerated drippings only last 2 to 3 weeks.
Prevents rancidity – Freezing protects the fat from oxidizing and going rancid quickly. Rancid fats develop unpleasant metallic, bitter flavors.
Retains flavor – Frozen drippings maintain their fresh, concentrated pork essence much better than refrigerating.
Food safety – Freezing stops bacteria growth that causes spoilage. Thawed drippings still need to be used promptly.
Easy storage – Pork fat is easy to freeze in cubes, muffin tins or ice cube trays for grabbing as needed.

Step-By-Step Guide to Freezing Drippings

Follow these best practices for freezing pork drippings for maximum quality and shelf life:

Render and Collect the Fat

Roast pork in a pan and let rest before pouring off drippings. The fat will separate and rise as it cools.
Simmer pork on the stovetop or grill, then collect the flavorful pan juices.
Strain the drippings to remove any solids or bits.
Refrigerate overnight so the fat solidifies on top and can be scraped off.

Prepare for Freezing

Let drippings cool completely before freezing to prevent moisture condensation issues.
Portion into ice cube trays, muffin tins, or small containers leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
Squeeze out air and seal containers tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Label everything clearly with type of fat, date, estimated use-by date, and quantity.

Freeze Properly

Freeze drippings as fast as possible for best quality. Place containers on bottom shelf or coldest area of freezer.
Organize similar dated items together so you can use up older drippings first.
Store frozen pork fat below 0°F for optimal shelf life.

Thawing and Using Frozen Pork Drippings

Frozen pork fat adds incredible flavor to all types of cooking. Follow these guidelines when thawing and cooking with your frozen drippings:

Only thaw what you will use within 3 to 4 days. Refreeze any unused portions.
Always thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Use thawed drippings within a few days. Do not refreeze after fully thawed.
Heat to at least 165°F before using drippings for gravy, sauce, etc. This kills any bacteria.
Avoid microwaving frozen fat which can cause uneven melting.

Creative Uses for Thawed Pork Fat

Pork drippings shine in all sorts of savory cooking applications. Here are some delicious ways to use your thawed, frozen drippings:

Sauté vegetables, potatoes, eggs, etc.
Fry chicken, fish, shrimp and more for added moisture and flavor.
Make gravy, pan sauces, reductions, and compound butter.
Roast potatoes and other vegetables.
Flavor rice, grains, beans and lentils.
Replace some of the oil when baking cornbread, biscuits and pie crust.
Mix into ground meat for juicy burgers and meatballs.
Baste meats before and during grilling or roasting.
Whip into mashed potatoes or emulsion-based salads like potato salad for luxurious taste.

Storing and Handling Thawed Pork Fat

To avoid waste, only thaw as much pork dripping as you can use within 3 to 4 days. Follow these guidelines for safe handling once thawed:

Keep thawed fat refrigerated in airtight containers.
Use within 3 to 4 days for best quality and food safety.
Discard if fat smells unpleasant or shows signs of spoilage.
Do not refreeze partially used drippings. Use entirely or toss any excess.
Always heat to 165°F before consuming fat for safety.

Troubleshooting Freezer Burn and Rancidity

With proper freezing and thawing methods, pork fat will stay fresh for months. Here’s how to identify and avoid common issues:

Freezer burn – Dry, tough patches on the fat caused by air exposure. Keep frozen fat in airtight packaging.
Rancid odor/flavor – Unpleasant taste and smell indicates oxidization. Use within recommended timelines.
Mold growth – Can occur if drippings contain solids. Strain thoroughly before freezing.
Weeping liquid – Caused by freezing drippings before fully chilled. Allow to cool completely next time.
Separation – Watery liquid at bottom of container is from multiple freezes and thaws. Avoid refreezing thawed fat.

can you freeze pork dripping

What Are Some Benefits of Pork?

Pork is high in protein and rich in vitamins such as vitamins B2, B3, B6, and B12.

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.
Niacin, which is part of vitamin B3, helps your body digest food and keeps your skin glowing.
Vitamin B6 is good for your brain and helps make hormones that control your mood.
Vitamin B12: This is crucial for healthy blood and nerves.

Leftover Pork?… Here Are Some Ideas

Put a twist on the classic pulled pork sandwich with this recipe for pulled pork grilled cheese. It will make your next grilled cheese sandwich better.
If you want gnocchi but don’t know what to serve it with, try pork loin filet; it goes well with gnocchi. You can make a tasty dish with both of these ingredients by following this recipe.
If you have a chipotle pork tenderloin and want to make tacos, try this recipe. It will give you tenderness with a crunch.
You can make tasty pork chops with mushrooms and green beans by following this recipe. If you have pork chops but don’t know what to serve with them, try this one.
Grilled BBQ pork ribs without bones and peach pico de gallo: sour or sweet? tangy BBQ pork chops, pica de gallo, and cabbage slaw in this recipe. Why not have both?

Saving Meat Drippings for Bouillon and Fat

FAQ

Can pork drippings be frozen?

Once frozen, keep the cubes in a bag and take out as much as you need at a time. Meat drippings, once the fat has been removed, are mostly protein. It’s not as nutritious as meat, but add some beans or other source of protein and it can be a base for a meal.

Can you freeze dripping?

You can either store chilled for 72 hours, or freeze.

How long will pork dripping last in the fridge?

You should collect it and refrigerate it (it should last at least a week, probably much longer in practice) in an sealed and air tight container (to minimize rancidity) if you intend to reuse it. Otherwise, you should discard it immediately.