Animal fat, bacon grease
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Bacon grease is the rendered, liquid fat from cooking bacon, solidifying into a creamy, opaque, off-white substance at room temperature. It has a deeply savory, smoky, and intensely porky flavor with a rich, mouth-coating texture. Nutritionally, it is almost pure fat, providing a dense 897 kcal per 100g with zero protein, carbs, or fiber.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 0% carbs · 100% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People cherish bacon grease for its unparalleled ability to infuse a smoky, savory backbone into everything from fried eggs to collard greens. It's a nostalgic flavor cornerstone in many home kitchens, representing resourcefulness and a connection to traditional cooking.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
As a concentrated animal fat, it is very high in saturated fat and calories, which warrants moderation for heart health. It can also be high in sodium depending on the bacon used. To counteract this, use it sparingly as a flavoring agent rather than a primary cooking oil, and balance meals with fiber-rich vegetables and lean proteins.
Key benefits
- High smoke point, ideal for sautéing and frying
- Adds profound, smoky umami depth to dishes
- Traditional, zero-waste cooking fat in many cuisines
- Contains fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D from pork
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
During World War II, used cooking fat, including bacon grease, was collected from households to be converted into glycerin for making explosives and other war materials.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.00 g |
| Energy | 897 kcal |
| Energy | 3753 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 99.5 g |
| Ash | 0.50 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 150 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.11 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 42.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.60 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 101 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 2.5 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 2.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 39.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 23.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 13.4 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 44.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 41.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.99 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 11.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 10.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.99 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 95.0 mg |
FAQ
How do I store bacon grease?
Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove bits, then store it in a sealed container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for several months or the freezer for up to a year.
Is bacon grease the same as lard?
No. Lard is rendered fat from the fatty tissue of a pig, typically from the back or belly. Bacon grease is specifically the fat rendered from cooking bacon, so it has a distinct smoky, cured flavor.
Can I use bacon grease for baking?
Yes, it's excellent for savory baking like cornbread, biscuits, or pie crusts, where it adds flavor and flakiness. For sweet baked goods, the strong smoky flavor is usually not desired.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 8.97 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.