Yes, it is recommended to drain bacon grease while cooking for a healthier dish and to prevent excessive greasiness.
Do you drain bacon grease while cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to drain bacon grease while cooking for a healthier dish and to prevent excessive greasiness. Draining the bacon grease not only helps reduce the fat content in your meal but also enhances the overall taste and texture.
According to renowned chef Julia Child, “Everything in moderation… including moderation.” This wise saying applies perfectly to the consumption of bacon grease. While bacon grease adds a rich, smoky flavor to dishes, it is important to exercise moderation and drain the excess grease to maintain a balance between taste and healthiness.
Here are some interesting facts about bacon grease:
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Fat content: Bacon grease is primarily composed of saturated fat, which can raise your cholesterol levels if consumed in excess. Therefore, draining the grease helps reduce the overall fat content in your meal.
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Calorie content: Bacon grease is high in calories. By draining the grease, you can significantly reduce the calorie count of your dish. A tablespoon of bacon grease contains approximately 115 calories.
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Smoke point: Bacon grease has a relatively low smoke point compared to other cooking fats, such as vegetable oil or olive oil. The smoke point refers to the temperature at which the fat starts to break down and emit smoke. Draining the grease prevents it from reaching its smoke point, which can result in a burnt or bitter taste.
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Culinary uses: While draining bacon grease is recommended for healthier cooking, it doesn’t mean you should discard it entirely. Bacon grease can be saved and used as a flavorful cooking fat for various dishes. It adds a delicious smokiness when used for frying eggs, sautéing vegetables, or even seasoning popcorn.
To further illustrate the importance of draining bacon grease, here’s a table showcasing the nutritional breakdown of bacon grease compared to commonly used cooking oils:
| Cooking Fat | Saturated Fat (g) | Trans Fat (g) | Calories (per tablespoon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon Grease | 7.3 | 0.1 | 115 |
| Vegetable Oil | 1.9 | 0 | 120 |
| Olive Oil | 1.9 | 0 | 120 |
| Canola Oil | 1 | 0 | 120 |
| Coconut Oil | 11.2 | 0.2 | 121 |
By comparing the saturated fat content, trans fat content (which should be avoided altogether), and calorie count of various cooking fats, it becomes evident that draining bacon grease can contribute to a healthier cooking choice.
In conclusion, draining bacon grease while cooking is a wise practice for promoting a healthier dish and reducing excessive greasiness. As Julia Child emphasized, moderation is key, and by draining the grease, you can strike a balance between flavor and healthiness.
In this video, you may find the answer to “Do you drain bacon grease while cooking?”
In the YouTube video “How to save your Bacon Grease,” the speaker discusses the process of rendering bacon grease and highlights its versatility and health benefits. They explain that bacon grease can be used for frying various foods, and is healthier than vegetable oils. The speaker demonstrates the process of collecting and storing the grease in a mason jar, recommending freezer storage for up to six months. They emphasize the abundance and value of the collected fat, concluding by encouraging viewers to subscribe for more tips and tricks.
Also people ask
Should I drain grease when cooking bacon?
In reply to that: If you don’t want an unattractive glossy skim on top, or for it to cool and harden, drain the fat. Having too much fat in your pan will possibly interfere with the frying technique you are using, which will change the end product.
What to do with bacon grease when you’re done cooking?
Answer to this: As we discussed, the bacon fat will harden when it cools. Which means that if you don’t want to save it for cooking, discarding it is simply a matter of waiting for it to harden, then scrape it into the trash.
How do you drain bacon grease?
Response to this: Sitting on top of a bowl. Then let that cool after its cooled you can just fold up your lumina foil and throw. It in the trash. Another way to dispose of bacon grease is to let it cool in your pan.
What happens if you don’t strain bacon grease?
Answer to this: Pour the warm (not hot) grease through the strainer, which will catch all the pieces. You really don’t want to skip this step: If you don’t strain out the solid bits, the fat will go rancid quicker. Seal tightly and store in the fridge or freezer.
What happens if you leave bacon grease out at room temperature?
As an answer to this: The temperature, viscosity, and potential combustibility of bacon grease can cause injuries and painful burns. Not to mention hot grease can melt plastic bags, and you’ll wind up with a big mess on your floor. #SpoonTip: If you do want to save the bacon grease for later cooking, don’t leave it out at room temperature.
Can you use bacon grease for baking?
You can use bacon grease for frying up breakfast potatoes, baking cookies, sauteeing greens and much more. Don’t let this ingredient go to waste! If you aren’t planning on using the bacon grease for any other purpose, you must dispose of it properly.
Can you cook bacon in batches?
Answer will be: If you’re cooking up a big batch (or just want to steer clear of grease spatters), try baking bacon instead. This method is super simple and is a convenient way to cook up lots of bacon without having to work in batches. In order for the meat and fat in your bacon to cook evenly, they have to be at the same temperature.
What happens if you cook bacon on high heat?
In reply to that: Not only will high heat potentially burn your bacon, but it will also cause it to crisp up before you’ve rendered out all that lovely fat. This means you won’t have any bacon grease to cook with, and the fat remaining on the bacon will be gummy and chewy. We call that a lose-lose. Why is bacon grease bad for you?
Can you put melted bacon grease down the drain?
Answer will be: Some are saltier, some are smokier. Maybe you’ve had bacon grease sitting around too long, or it smells off. Don’t ever pour melted bacon grease down the drain, unless you’re looking for an excuse to call your plumber. Likewise, don’t pour hot grease into a trash can; it can melt the trash bag.
Can you put bacon grease in the freezer?
If you have poured the grease into another container to cool, you can store it in the freezer or fridge and toss it once it hardens. Or, hold on to the container and add to it every time you cook bacon, tossing only once it gets full. Either way, trash it — don’t drain it. The world will be a less smelly place for it.
Can you cook bacon in batches?
Answer to this: If you’re cooking up a big batch (or just want to steer clear of grease spatters), try baking bacon instead. This method is super simple and is a convenient way to cook up lots of bacon without having to work in batches. In order for the meat and fat in your bacon to cook evenly, they have to be at the same temperature.
Should cooking grease be poured down the sink?
In the moment, it probably feels like the easiest thing to do is take that pan over to the sink and pour that grease down the drain. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it (or done it). Here’s the thing: Under no circumstance should cooking grease or oil be poured down the kitchen sink.