If you want to know how to make a southern cook cry, just toss your leftover bacon grease in the trash to see how they’ll react. Us Cajuns strongly believe that the grease from those heavenly strips add far more flavor than any expensive olive oils or fancy seasoning blends ever could. There’s an old saying in the South, “if it can’t be fried in bacon grease, it ain’t worth cooking, let alone eating.” Sadly, not many people use it beyond the southern region, but here, it’s a well-loved staple.
We’re here to change that though, and help you transform the most bland dishes into something that can be truly savored! Check out our favorite tried-and-true ways to conserve that irresistible flavor, so you can get to cooking like a true Cajun, cher.
The Many Uses of Bacon Grease
Baked Goods
Bacon grease is a great replacement for oil in basically any recipe, and baked goods are no exception. Think we’re crazy? Try greasing your muffin tins and cast iron skillets with bacon grease the next time you’re baking cornbread, breakfast muffins and even cake. It will keep it from sticking to the sides of the pan easier than ever before and give you the perfect notes of savory sweet. Better yet, add a tablespoon of bacon grease to your cornbread batter, too, for an extra moist and flavorful finish.
Vegetables
Seasoning your vegetables with bacon grease is one of the simplest ways you can turn an ordinary meal into a complete game changer! Some of our favorite vegetables to cook with it include corn on the cob, green beans, summer squash, bell peppers, asparagus and the holy trinity (of course). The flavor that it adds gives your dishes a more robust taste, whether you’re serving them by itself with a little cajun seasoning or adding them into your casseroles, pastas or rice dishes.
Meats
While cooking your meats in bacon grease might be a given, it still deserves a notable mention for any person that hasn’t tried it yet. First and foremost, STEAKS! Simply season both sides with salt and pepper and cook them on the grill in a cast iron with 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease and sliced garlic cloves. It’s sure to deliver a juicy and salty taste with a buttery finish—just how we like it! Pan frying your hamburger patties, pork chops, boudin and boudin balls in it are all top contenders as well. Just have fun experimenting with your favorite cuts. You’re bound to get inspired with ways to infuse it into your own style of cooking!
So the next time you fry up some bacon, cher, save dat grease to add a new dimension to your future dishes. The possibilities are virtually limitless, and there’s no better way to pass a good time in the kitchen than trying new things.
Craving more flavors from Cajun Country? Check out our online store for unique specialty meats you’re sure to fall in love with!
