How To Make Beef Tallow at Home: A Simple, Money-Saving Recipe
All-natural, old-fashioned beef tallow is becoming ultra popular these days as people look for healthier, less-processed cooking oils. In fact, major restaurant chains including Outback Steakhouse and Popeyes have recently switched from using controversial seed oils to natural beef tallow in their commercial kitchens for health reasons. Here we share how to make your own beef tallow at home with a few simple instructions, plus how you can start enjoying this health-supporting ingredient. And don’t miss the bonus recipe and brand recommendations at the end.
What is beef tallow?
Beef tallow is simply a wholesome cooking oil that is made from raw beef fat. It is like lard, which is rendered pork fat. At room temperature, beef tallow has a creamy-white appearance and a firm texture like butter. But when used in a frying pan, it becomes an easy cooking oil that is linked to better health and weight management. It has a high smoke point and is suitable for high-heat cooking. And fans rave about tallow’s savory, slightly meaty flavor, with a satisfying “umami” quality.
How to make beef tallow yourself
Learning how to make beef tallow at home is easier than you may think. You’ll want to start with grass-fed beef fat to avoid pesticides and boost nutrients. You can use leftover fat from meal prep or ask a butcher for beef suet or “beef trimming fat.” (Butcher shops used to give it away for free, but with the increased popularity of tallow they often now charge for it.)
How to render beef tallow:
- Chop fat into cubes and place in a large pot or slow cooker without the lid on.
- Melt down for 2 to 4 hours on low heat setting, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Strain and pour clear liquid into mason jars. Let cool to room temperature.
- Seal tightly with lids and refrigerate for up to 4 months. Whenever you need a cooking oil, scoop out a spoonful of beef tallow to add to your pan.
How to make ‘fat bite’ snacks
You’ve likely heard of keto fat bombs and nut-butter energy bites. Well, some low-carb dieters are now making beef tallow bites. Check out this recipe from weight-loss coach Kelly Hogan of My Zero Carb Life. She lost 133 pounds with the help of consuming healthy beef tallow. She also erased her chronic IBS symptoms and gut pain. Now, she coaches other people to improve their health and weight with nutritional changes.
Hogan uses beef tallow fat-bomb snacks to curb cravings and manage her appetite. She says they offer some variety on a carnivore diet or help extend a fast while intermittent fasting. Once solid and frozen, these beef tallow bites still have a soft texture and a mild flavor “like a marshmallow,” she says.
To make: With a hand mixer, whip 1 cup beef tallow, 1 Tbs. vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes until airy. Place mixture in silicon molds and freeze. Then whenever a craving strikes, eat one like a zero-carb energy ball.
Can you buy beef tallow instead of making it?
Yes. Because people often throw away the fat trimmings from cuts of beef, making your own tallow can be an affordable approach. But to save time, you can also purchase beef tallow at many grocery stores and online. Brands to trust: Whole30-approved brand EPIC Grass-Fed Beef Tallow or South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow.
Bonus: Try it as a skin soother!
Some fans aren’t just using beef tallow in the kitchen. They are using it for a little self-care too. That’s right, people are increasingly using beef tallow topically as a skin moisturizer since it contains zero chemicals. Fans say it leaves skin feeling softer, more supple and looking more youthful. Hogan recommends this brand: Purely Tallow Overnight Mask.
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This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM.