Any suggestions for using chicken fat?

I roasted a chicken yesterday and made soup from the carcass today. I just skimmed off the fat and I have a good cup or so of quite good looking yellow chicken fat. Should I toss it or would it be good for anything? Would it freeze?

Leah H
  • Posted by: Leah H
  • December 30, 2013
  • 4719 views
  • 7 Comments

7 Comments

barb48 December 30, 2013
If you need a little extra umph to get into a tight dress ... ;) And chopped liver, of course.
 
Sam1148 December 30, 2013
Don't forget using it for matzo balls for soup!
 
amysarah December 30, 2013
All of the above, plus it's very good as the fat for a grain dish - for instance, in a rice pilaff. You can do half chicken fat, half butter or oil too. Or for something really delicious, use it to toast farfel (egg 'barley' - actually tiny rough noodle nubbins) along with sauteed onions and mushrooms, before cooking it all up in broth. The fat is possibly the best 'part' of the chicken.
 
Leah H. December 30, 2013
Fabulous!!! I've been a secret Food 52 fan for ages (have both books - love!) - thanks for the answers! I'm going to bag it up now :) Thank you!
 
HalfPint December 30, 2013
Don't throw it out! Rendered chicken fat is so good, it has it's own name (Yiddish?): schmaltz.

Anyhoo, how to use? Anywhere you would use butter or oil. Like:
- roast with potatoes
- saute with vegetables. Edamame stirfried with schmaltz = yummy goodness
- pates and mousses
- spread on bread like butter (haven't tried but my European friends swoon about it)
- roux for sauces and gravies
- pie crust for savory pies (a friend did this, very tasty)

Yes, you can freeze it for about 1-2 months or longer.
 
Merrill S. December 30, 2013
There's a whole app dedicated to schmaltz (chicken fat)! Check this out for some inspiration: http://ruhlman.com/2013/03/matzo-ball-soup-recipe/
 
aobenour December 30, 2013
Excellent for potatoes - roasted and latkes especially. I have successfully frozen it in an ice cube tray. You can use it any place you might use butter or oil - except baking of course.
 
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