Out of Bacon grease, one case
Bacon grease substitutes
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Butter
Same amount as the bacon grease
For bacon grease, the best substitutes are Butter (1:1), Olive Oil (1:1), or Vegetable Oil (1:1). Each provides similar cooking properties but with different flavor profiles.
- Best for —
- cooking
One casethe full bacon card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of bacon grease |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buttercooking | Same amount |
| 2 | Olive oilcooking | Same amount |
| 3 | Vegetable oilcooking | Same amountTweak it |
| 4 | Coconut oilcooking | Same amount |
| 5 | Lardcooking | Same amountWorks |
Butter
rich, buttery · similar texture
Dairy fat that provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease. Good for when you want rich flavor and similar texture.
- Best for
- cooking, when you want rich flavor, baking, when you want similar texture, most applications
Butter provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease but with different flavor. Use in equal amounts for most applications.
Olive oil
fruity, different · similar texture
Plant-based oil that provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease. Good for when you want healthy fat and different flavor.
- Best for
- cooking, when you want healthy fat, Mediterranean dishes, when you want different flavor, most applications
Olive oil provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease but with different flavor. Use in equal amounts for most applications.
Vegetable oil
neutral taste, similar texture
Neutral-flavored oil that provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease. Good for when you want neutral flavor.
- Best for
- cooking, when you want neutral flavor, baking, when you want similar texture, most applications
Vegetable oil provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease but with neutral flavor. Use in equal amounts for most applications.
Coconut oil
coconut, different · similar texture
Plant-based oil that provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease. Good for when you want healthy fat and different flavor.
- Best for
- cooking, when you want healthy fat, baking, when you want different flavor, most applications
Coconut oil provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease but with different flavor. Use in equal amounts for most applications.
Lard
similar taste and texture
Pork fat that provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease. Good for when you want similar flavor and texture.
- Best for
- cooking, when you want similar flavor, baking, when you want similar texture, most applications
Lard provides similar cooking properties to bacon grease and has similar flavor. Use in equal amounts for most applications.
How it behaves in this recipe
For bacon grease, substitutes must provide similar cooking properties and fat content. The recommended substitutes work because they can provide similar functionality in cooking and baking while offering different flavor profiles.
Tips for substituting bacon grease
7 tips- Bacon grease provides unique smoky, salty flavor that's hard to replicate
- Use butter for rich flavor similar to bacon grease
- Use olive oil for healthy fat with different flavor profile
- Use vegetable oil for neutral flavor that won't overpower other ingredients
- Use coconut oil for healthy fat with tropical flavor
- Use lard for similar flavor and texture to bacon grease
- Store bacon grease substitutes in airtight containers in the refrigerator
Notes on bacon grease
- Use butter for rich flavor similar to bacon grease
- Use olive oil for healthy fat with different flavor
- Use vegetable oil for neutral flavor
- Use lard for similar flavor and texture to bacon grease
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for bacon grease?
Butter or olive oil work best as substitutes for bacon grease. Butter provides rich flavor, while olive oil provides healthy fat with different flavor profile.
Can I use butter instead of bacon grease?
Yes, butter can substitute for bacon grease using a 1:1 ratio. It provides similar cooking properties but with different flavor profile.
Why is bacon grease so flavorful?
Bacon grease is flavorful because it contains the rendered fat from bacon, which includes smoky, salty flavors from the curing and smoking process.
Can I use olive oil instead of bacon grease?
Yes, olive oil can substitute for bacon grease using a 1:1 ratio. It provides similar cooking properties but with different flavor profile.
How do I store bacon grease substitutes?
Store bacon grease substitutes in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will keep for several weeks and can be used in cooking and baking.