DecodedGuides

How to store bacon grease

Best place: the fridge. USDA gives bacon grease a fridge time (6 months, from purchase) and no pantry time, so it belongs in the fridge as soon as you get home. The freezer gives 12 months.

Pantry

No guideline

Fridge

6 months

from purchase

Freezer

12 months

best quality within

How to tell bacon grease has gone bad

General signs for condiments, sauces & canned goods, the group USDA lists bacon grease under.

  • Dented, bulging or rusted cans, especially at the seams
  • Hissing sound or spray when a can or jar is opened
  • Mould on the surface of a sauce or condiment
  • Separation, discoloration or a sharp off smell from the jar
  • Metallic taste or cloudy liquid in canned food

More on condiments, sauces & canned goods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened condiments and sauces with their lids on tightly, and use a clean spoon each time to avoid contamination. Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard, and once opened, transfer leftover canned food to a covered container in the fridge rather than storing it in the can.

How to store other condiments, sauces & canned goods

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.