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A good, big, pot of old-fashioned stovetop homemade popcorn is one of the most wonderful things, don’t you think?
I have fond memories of my dad making popcorn this way when I was young. As I grew older (think: college years) microwave popcorn was so much easier, so the old ways took a backseat. Well, they eventually took back over the driver’s seat and now it’s all I make. Oh, I’ll occasionally pick up the microwave stuff for my kids. But truly, almost never.
Why? Because the homemade version is SO much better and SO stinkin’ easy!
Tasty and Flavorful
When my dad used to make stovetop popcorn, he used vegetable oil, so that’s how I always made it. Then, several years ago, when coconut oil became all the craze, I tried it with that. YUM!
But… it gets better!
I have discovered that using half coconut oil and half (are you ready for this?)… bacon grease is the secret.
I’m telling you, it’s out of this world good. I tried it with all bacon grease, but it got a little smoky up in here. No, half and half is the secret.
And friends, if you don’t currently have a jar of bacon grease in your fridge…get to it! When I cook bacon, I simply pour the grease into my jar and stash it back into the fridge. There are lots of ways to use it, but popcorn is my all time fave.
Once your oils have melted, add your popcorn, being sure that you have enough oil to cover the kernels in the bottom of your pot.
Slap on that lid and no peeking!
Remember to keep moving your pot to avoid burning…there’s not much worse than the sad smell of burnt popcorn. It’s like if a ruined evening had a scent.
Sometimes I overestimate the amount of kernels to add? Just me?
I dump mine into this gigantic (and I do mean gi-gan-tic) aluminum bowl from Ikea. It’s the biggest one they sell. But it’s perfect for holding enormous amounts of popcorn when, for example, you have popcorn for dinner or are hosting a girls movie night.
Leftovers (if there are any) sit on our island the next day…just begging for you to snatch a handful as you walk by or are looking for a little snack. (Do be cautious about the seeds, they can crack a tooth–ask me how I know).
I like mine with just a hefty sprinkling of Kosher salt.
What’s your favorite way to eat homemade popcorn?
Ingredients
- This is a method more than a specific recipe
- Coconut Oil
- Bacon Grease
- Popcorn kernels
- Kosher Salt
Instructions
- **As a general rule, you want to use about 3 Tablespoons of oil (combined) for every 1/3 cup of kernels**
- Put equal amounts of coconut oil and bacon grease into a heavy bottomed pot
- Melt over medium-high heat
- When oil is mostly melted, pour in popcorn kernels to cover bottom of pan
- Oil should cover kernels. Adjust amounts of oils or kernels as needed
- Cover pot with tight fitting lid
- Carefully move pot a few times to gently shake kernels
- When you start hearing kernels popping, begin moving pot back and forth on burner continuously to keep popcorn from burning (using hot pads is helpful...I use one to hold the lid on tightly and one on the pot handle)
- As kernels begin popping rapidly, turn heat down to medium-low, continue shaking pot
- As popping slows, turn burner off and let pot sit until popping stops
- Dump your popcorn into a large bowl and season to taste with salt
I like that you just use a regular old pot instead of a special popcorn-specific popper- that’s what has always kept me from making homemade popcorn in the past. Can’t wait to try this!
I love the show ‘Good Eats’ with Alton Brown, and he always railed against tools and appliances in the kitchen that only serve one purpose. Not that I don’t have any of those (I loooooove my pineapple slicer) but it’s something I always keep in mind. I’ve never made popcorn any other way, so I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing anything by doing it like this. Good luck!
Awesome idea! I, too, tried the full bacon grease version and was less than thrilled. I LOVE popcorn with coconut oil, so now I have another alternative. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh I hope you like it as much as we do! I find that the 1/2 bacon grease adds just enough savoriness without feeling too heavy. Enjoy!!
What’s not to like using bacon grease. I always have a jar in my fridge.
Amen!
Being a long time popcorn lover (thanks Dad!) it wasn’t until my husband and I met that I discovered using bacon grease in mine. Love it! I use an old style pressure cooker pot with a lid that sits nicely on top while in use. (thanks Goodwill for that one!) Happy to see other’s enjoying this instead of the crazy looks some give you when you mention it. lol I also add melted unsalted butter and a lower reduced sodium salt after it’s finished popping.
I’ve never heard of making popcorn in a pressure cooker, that is equally interesting and scary to me. 🙂 Love meeting a fellow bacon grease user!
I suggest that you get a “Whirley-Pop ” popcorn popper. If you like popcorn as much as I do this is the best popper there is. Always pops all but a few ornery kernels, never burns and clean up is a breeze. Trust me, I did it your way for 50 years and this is the best, hands down. I will try the bacon grease addition TONIGHT.
I have a friend who swears by her Whirley-Pop. I am going to have to get one! Thanks for the recommendation. Hope you love the bacon. 🙂