Quick Answers
Hamburger meat grease, also known as beef tallow, has many uses both in and out of the kitchen. Here are some quick answers to common questions about reusing hamburger grease:
- Store it – Strain the grease into a heat-safe container with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or freezer for up to a year.
- Cook with it – Use it to sauté veggies, fry eggs, or roast potatoes for extra flavor.
- Make gravy – Whisk together flour and grease for a tasty gravy.
- Add richness to soup – Stir a spoonful into simmering soups.
- Bake and fry – Replace vegetable oils with grease in recipes for added richness.
- Moisturize skin – Apply small amounts to dry skin as a moisturizer.
- Protect wood – Rub a thin layer on wood cutting boards to protect and condition.
- Make dog food – Mix with dry kibble to provide healthy fats.
- Create fire starters – Soak cotton balls or dryer lint in grease for long-burning fire starters.
- Deter pests – Spread around garden beds to deter pests like snails and slugs.
Storing Hamburger Grease
One of the easiest ways to save hamburger grease for later use is to store it properly so it doesn’t spoil. Here are some tips for storing grease:
- Let it cool completely before storing. Pouring hot grease into a container can warp or melt it.
- Strain out any meat chunks or debris through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth.
- Funnel the strained grease into a heat-safe container, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.
- Glass jars, metal tins, and plastic containers with tight fitting lids all work well. Avoid reusing plastic takeout containers.
- Label the container with the contents and date before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 months or freeze for up to a year. The grease may separate but reheats easily when melted.
Properly stored beef tallow retains its quality and flavor for the longest period of time. Discard if any signs of spoilage like mold, funny smell, or change in color appear.
Cooking Uses for Hamburger Grease
Hamburger grease is a flavorful fat for cooking. Here are some of the many ways to use beef tallow in recipes:
Sautéing
Use a spoonful to sauté aromatics like onions and garlic or sear meats. The high smoke point makes it suitable for sautéing over high heat.
Frying
The rich, meaty flavor makes it an excellent choice for frying eggs, potatoes, or chicken. It can also be used for deep frying.
Roasting
Coat vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and broccoli in grease before roasting for added browning and flavor.
Gravy
For meat gravies, whisk some flour into the grease to create a flavorful thickener. Slowly add broth while whisking until desired consistency.
Stews and Soups
Stir in a spoonful or two of grease when making beef stew or soup for extra richness.
Sauces
Melt it down to use as a base for pan sauces to serve over steak, pork, or chicken.
pie crusts
Use grease in pie doughs in place of shortening or lard for a savory flavor.
Non-Cooking Uses
In addition to cooking, beef tallow has many other household and DIY uses:
Skin Moisturizer
The nutrients in tallow mimic the lipids found naturally in skin. Lightly apply to dry skin as a soothing moisturizer. It’s especially helpful for extremely dry skin and conditions like eczema.
Furniture Polish
Rub a small amount of grease into unfinished wood furniture with a lint-free cloth to nourish it and create an attractive sheen.
Leather Conditioner
Use a clean cloth to apply a thin layer of grease to leather goods like shoes, bags, tack, or furniture. Wipe away any excess.
Cutting Board Conditioner
After cleaning, gently rub grease into wood cutting boards and butcher blocks to protect, moisturize, and refresh.
Rust Prevention
Coating tools, equipment, nails, and screws in a thin film of tallow can help prevent rust from forming.
Fire Starters
Soak cotton balls, dryer lint, or wood shavings in melted grease. Let harden completely then store in a waterproof container for easy fire starters.
| Non-Cooking Use | Method |
|---|---|
| Skin moisturizer | Gently rub into dry skin |
| Furniture polish | Rub small amount into unfinished wood |
| Leather conditioner | Apply thin layer to leather goods |
| Cutting board conditioner | Rub into wood boards after cleaning |
| Rust prevention | Coat tools, nails, and screws |
| Fire starters | Soak cotton/lint in melted grease, let harden |
Other Uses for Hamburger Grease
In addition to household uses, here are some other creative ways to use up hamburger grease:
Pet Food
Mix a spoonful into dry dog or cat kibble to provide healthy fats and make it more appetizing. Start with small amounts to avoid stomach upset.
Bird Feeders
Coat bird feeders with a thin layer to help seeds stick. The grease also gives birds an energy boost in cold weather.
Compost Activator
Adding small amounts of tallow to compost piles provides nitrogen, moisture, and energy sources for microorganisms and speeds decomposition.
Fishing Bait
Mix with cornmeal or flour to create homemade dough bait. The grease helps bait stick to hooks and releases fish-attracting scent.
Garden Pest Control
Spreading grease around garden beds may help deter snails and slugs from eating plants. Use in moderation to avoid harming plants.
Lubricate Tools
Apply a light coating to hand tools like saws, pliers, pruners, or shovels for lubrication and rust resistance.
Disadvantages of Cooking with Grease
While hamburger grease has many benefits, there are a few disadvantages to consider:
- High in saturated fat – Grease is almost entirely saturated fat, which can negatively impact cholesterol levels when eaten in excess.
- Can go rancid – Grease may develop an unpleasant odor, taste, and appearance if left at room temperature too long before use.
- Smokes at high temperatures – The low smoke point means grease can burn and smoke if heated above its smoke point (375°F or 190°C).
- Provides “empty calories” from fat – Using grease adds lots of calories but minimal nutrients compared to oils like olive or avocado oil.
- Associated with red meat – Some people avoid using grease due to health concerns associated with red meat consumption.
Moderating intake and using refined grease minimizes some of these issues. Straining out particles prevents early spoilage so the grease stays fresher. Overall, hamburger grease can be enjoyed in moderation along with a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
Conclusion
Hamburger grease deserves more credit than just being poured down the drain. With proper storage, it can be used in dozens of ways for months after cooking. From sautéing aromatics to seasoning cast iron, it adds signature flavor to recipes. A little dab moisturizes skin, conditions leather and wood, and helps start campfires. While high in saturated fat, grass-fed beef grease offers some benefits compared to vegetable oils when used sparingly. With a bit of creativity, cooks can get the most use out of every drop of thiskitchen staple.