How to make tallow from beef fat (2024)

Learn how to easily make tallow from beef fat using a crock pot. Tallow can be used for a multitude of things from candles to cooking.

If I were to hit the streets and ask people to define tallow, I am confident very few would be able to give me a correct answer. Over a hundred years ago, tallow was a staple in the American home. Today, it has been buried and labeled “unhealthy”.

What is tallow?

Tallow is the result of heating beef fat slowly over a long period of time. This beef fat renders a beautiful golden liquid known as tallow.

A hundred years ago, this tallow was used for cooking, in skincare, and to make candles. However, in our culture today, it is rarely used.

The nationwide theory that saturated fat is directly related to heart disease, pretty much stifled its existence. So, what happened?? Why was it such a staple in homes over one hundred years ago, but is mostly known by homesteaders and the like today?

In the early 1900’s, Proctor and Gamble discovered they could create a replacement for butter, tallow, and lard using toxic waste product (cotton seeds) and turning it into an oil through hydrogenation. This oil eventually developed into Crisco, labeled as a healthy alternative to animal fat, having a similar consistency. This “healthy alternative” was actually bad for the body, but the power of marketing prevailed. Starting in the early 1900’s more chose Crisco over natural animal fats and with that came a rise in heart disease. Coincidence? Nope.

Is it any wonder that a synthetic version of the real thing is bad for the body?

Well, the time has come for me to redeem this wonderful animal fat and give it the attention it deserves…

Health Benefits of beef tallow

Tallow is a versatile animal fat. It can be used for soaps, cooking, candles, etc. It has a high smoking point which makes it excellent for frying.

Contrary to belief, tallow is a healthy fat (when rendered from healthy grass fed cows). It is an anti-inflammatory. (Ironically, canola and corn oil, which were pushed as a healthy alternative, cause inflammation.)

Tallow is rich in minerals and loaded with soluble vitamins A,D, E, K and B12.

Tallow and other animal fats are good for your brain, skin, and gut because they regenerate and rebuild your insides.

So what is not to like about beef tallow? I am a firm believer that getting closer to nature and using traditional methods from over 100 years ago are the healthiest. There are so many studies and theories put out today, try this diet, try that diet. But, if we just eat whole, unprocessed foods from local farms or grow our own, it really is the healthiest we can get!

Have I sold you on beef tallow yet? What if I told you it makes the most glorious fried food? Or, that using it on your skin is better for you than any store-bought expensive skincare. I encourage you to give it try! But, make sure you use beef fat from grass fed cows, not conventionally raised cows. There is a big difference!

How to render tallow from beef fat

The process of rendering tallow is simple thanks to the invention of the crock pot! If the tallow will be used for skincare products like soap, begin by trimming all pieces of meat from the fat. Some have said that leaving the meat on creates a beefy smell and others have said they didn’t notice a smell. Maybe you could create a new soap for men, beefy clean?

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I looked at my fat and realized how long it would take me to do that and chose not to do this step. I was primarily using mine for cooking.

Okay, the next step is to cut the beef fat into cubes. These more manageable pieces will help the rendering process go quicker.

Throw all of the fat cubes into the crock pot and turn it on low. I let mine go somewhere between 8-12 hours.

The rendering process is finished when the crock pot is filled with a beautiful golden liquid mixed with some crunchy fat pieces!

When the rendering is complete and the liquid has cooled, it is time to strain out the beef fat pieces, known as crackling.

Storing beef tallow

Once strained, it is time to decide how to store your gold, I mean tallow. I poured the tallow into mason jars and placed them in the fridge. You can also let it sit out at room temperature by the stove for your next cooking endeavor. Depending on how you use your tallow will determine how you store it. These would be short term options (several months).

If you would like a long term storage option (we’re talking like a year or more), try freezing the tallow. Pour the liquid into a muffin pan and place in the freezer. Once solidified, the muffin size tallow can be placed in a freezer bag and stored in the freezer.

What to do with the leftover beef fat

Do not throw that beef fat away! When I cook and preserve, I like to use every scrap. We used the beef fat, known as cracklings, as dog treats.

You can also use the cracklings in recipes, try sprinkling them in your salad or toss them in other dishes to add flavor.

It is that simple!

This really is a set it and forget it kinda deal. Which is my favorite kind of deal!

Now that you have your delicious beautiful golden liquid, which will solidify to a cream color by the way, go forth and experiment, the sky is the limit. Discover your inner pioneer. Your great grandmother would be proud!