Don’t you dare throw away that liquid gold! Leftover bacon grease is a flavor powerhouse, and this warm vinaigrette is one of my all-time favorite ways to use it. This isn’t your typical salad dressing; its rich, savory profile is designed to complement warm dishes. Because bacon grease solidifies when cool, it’s absolutely magical when drizzled over freshly roasted vegetables, a warm kale salad, or a hearty bowl of meats and veggies, coating everything in smoky, delicious flavor.
Ingredients
• ⅓ cup / 80 ml melted bacon grease
• 3 tablespoons / 45 ml lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon finely ground sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Combine the melted bacon grease, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper in a jar or airtight container.
2. Seal the container tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well-emulsified.
Nutritional Information
• Per tablespoon
• Calories: 79
• Total Fat: 8.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
• Cholesterol: 8 mg
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Carbohydrates: 0.2 g
• Net Carbs: 0.2 g
• Protein: 0.1 g
Pro Tips
• This dressing solidifies when chilled. It’s best drizzled over warm foods like roasted vegetables, wilted greens, or grilled meats to ensure it stays liquid.
• Don’t have enough bacon grease on hand? Frying about 9 ounces / 255 g of bacon should yield the ⅓ cup / 80 ml needed for this recipe.
• Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To use, let it sit at room temperature for a couple of hours to soften, then shake well before serving.
• For a simple AIP-friendly version, just omit the black pepper. The flavor will still be rich and delicious.
FAQ
Q: What do you serve with warm bacon vinaigrette
A: This dressing is specifically designed for warm dishes. Its rich, savory flavor is perfect for drizzling over freshly roasted vegetables, warm kale or spinach salads, or hearty bowls of grilled meats. The heat from the food keeps the vinaigrette liquid and delicious.
Q: Why did my bacon vinaigrette get hard
A: Bacon grease naturally solidifies when it cools down, so it’s completely normal for this vinaigrette to become solid in the fridge or at cool room temperature. To use, simply let it sit out to soften or gently warm it before shaking to re-emulsify.
Q: How do I store bacon grease dressing
A: Store the vinaigrette in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Remember that it will solidify when chilled and will need to be brought back to a liquid state before serving.
Q: How much bacon do I need for bacon grease
A: To yield the ⅓ cup (80 ml) of melted bacon grease required for this recipe, you will need to cook approximately 9 ounces (255 g) of bacon.
