Discover Homemade Beef Tallow: Health Perks, How to Make It and Uses
Beef tallow is back in kitchens, skin care routines and homesteading.
Once a staple in cooking and household use, this versatile fat, rendered from beef, was once a staple.
Homemade beef tallow is still prized today for its rich nutrient profile, its culinary uses, and for its skin health benefits.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about beef tallow, from how to make it at home to all the ways you can use it and how it’s good for you.
So let’s get into the world of beef tallow and why you might want to add it to your natural living toolkit.
What is Beef tallow?
Rendered fat from beef is known as beef tallow.
Suet is the name for the hard fat around a cow’s kidneys, and it’s used to make suet, which is made by melting down and straining fat trimmings.
You render beef fat into a stable, solidified fat which can be stored at room temperature.
Beef tallow was a classic, go to cooking fat in American and European kitchens.
It was also used to make candles, soap and skin balms.
Beef tallow is animal derived, saturated fats, which means it has a long shelf life and high heat stability unlike plant oils.
Its dense nutrient profile and smooth texture has made it a popular choice in natural and sustainable skincare products.
Beef Tallow Health Benefits
Nutritional Profile
Packed with essential fatty acids and fat soluable vitamins, beef tallow is.
It’s rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but omega 3 levels differ according to the cow’s diet. (1)
It also contains vitamins A, D, E, and K that are essential to immune function, bone health and skin nourishment.
Unlike most processed oils, beef tallow contains no trans fats or artificial additives, making it a natural choice for those following a whole, nutrient dense diet.
Benefits for Cooking
Beef tallow has a high smoke point of over 400°F and is suitable for frying, roasting and sautéing. (2)
Some vegetable oils break down into harmful compounds at high temperatures, but that doesn’t happen with this one.
For frying foods and for the health benefits of relatively unrefined oils, it’s the bomb.
It’s also used to flavor food, meats, vegetables, even pastries, because it’s also known for adding a savory flavor.
Skin and Hair Benefits
Beef tallow has benefits in the kitchen, but that’s far from all it can do.
It’s texture and composition makes it an excellent moisturizer – it mimics the oils found naturally in human skin.
Stearic acid present in it helps to repair skin and give a protective barrier that makes it suitable for dry or chapped skin. (4)
Beef tallow is also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores.
Often it’s used in DIY skincare recipes for lip balm, body butters and lotions, offering natural hydration without chemical additives.
Homemade Beef Tallow: How to Make It
Ingredients Needed
It’s surprisingly easy to make beef tallow at home, and all you need is a few ingredients.
You need only raw beef fat (suet or trimmings) and a small amount of salt (optional) to prolong the preservation.
The best fat from beef is from grass fed or pasture raised beef. (3)
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Chop the beef fat into small pieces so that when it melts it will do so a bit more evenly.
2. Put the fat in a large pot or slow cooker and heat low heat.
Stir it occasionally, as it starts to melt.
3. After it’s fully melted, remove from heat and pour the fat through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a heat safe container.
The tallow can be allowed to cool and to solidify, then stored in an airtight jar.
Tips for Optimal Results
Grass fed beef fat can be used to improve the nutrient profile of your homemade tallow, and add a delicious flavor.
Refrigeration or freezing can prevent spoilage, but if you’re looking to keep tallow for an extended period of time.
It's best to keep the store tallow in a cool, dark place in glass and store it to extend its shelf life.
Don’t use any metal utensils or containers either, as the fat can interact with the metal and spoil its quality.
Homemade Beef Tallow Common Uses
Cooking and Baking
It is a great one to add to your cooking routine.
It makes a good frying, roasting, and pie crust base, adding flaky richness.
Its neutral taste is great in savory dishes, and its high smoke point means it’s safe for high heat cooking.
If you’re looking for a more traditional flavor in baked goods, replacing butter with tallow in recipes like biscuits or pastries works well.
Skincare and Hair Care
Beef tallow is a great natural fat for homemade skincare owing to its composition.
Essential oils and beeswax are an easy way to mix this herb to use DIY lip balms, lotions, and even hair conditioners.
This oil is so close to human skin that it is ideal for people with sensitive or dry skin.
A little goes a long way with your skincare and you can play around with different recipes until you find the perfect one for you.
Household Uses
Tallow can be used for cooking and skincare, but there are many other uses around the home.
It’s great for conditioning leather; its fatty acids make leather products supple and stop them cracking.
You can use it to make your own candles, they burn longer and they have a nice, natural scent.
Even beef tallow works as a lubricant for metal tools, a non toxic alternative to commercial oils.
Maximum Shelf Life of Beef Tallow How is Beef Tallow Stored
Beef tallow can be kept fresh for a longer time and used if stored correctly.
Room temperature storage is acceptable as it can be stored long term, however if extended shelf life is desired think of refrigeration or freezing.
Tallow will last in the fridge for several months in an airtight container.
Tallow will keep in the freezer for a year or more without losing quality.
Store it at room temperature, but in a dark, cool cupboard to stop it going rancid.
To get the best results, don’t double dip or add moisture to the tallow, as this can spoil the fat.
Is Homemade Beef Tallow Good or Bad for You?
And some people might wonder if beef tallow is really healthy.
Tallow is free of artificial chemicals and has no trans fats when compared to vegetable oils.
Combining saturated and monounsaturated fats, it gives you energy, supports hormone production, and keeps you full. (5)
Beef tallow is a great fat source for those on paleo or keto diets.
But moderation is important with any fat, because of its calorie density.
If you source beef tallow from grass fed animals, you’re probably getting more omega 3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which are good for you.
Get Back to Basics with Beef Tallow 🌿🔥 – Pure, versatile, and nutrient-rich—experience the traditional fat everyone’s talking about!
Final Thoughts
Beef tallow isn’t just a cooking fat — it’s homemade.
It’s the natural, nutrient rich option that can fuel everything from delicious home cooked meals to nourishing skin.
Beef tallow has a high smoke point and is a great choice for cooking and frying, as well as being a great component for your skin and hair.
When you make beef tallow yourself you know exactly what’s in it and you have complete control over the ingredients so what you get is pure and of a high quality.
Try it with beef tallow in your kitchen, put it in your DIY skincare routine, or use it for household needs.
This traditional fat might surprise you with how versatile and useful it is.
FAQs
What are the negatives of using beef tallow?
Beef tallow contains a lot of saturated fat, so it’s best used in moderation.
What was the reason that people stopped using beef tallow historically?
As vegetable oils replaced tallow, concerns about saturated fats removed people from tallow.
How long does homemade beef tallow last?
Homemade tallow will last 3 – 6 months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer when stored properly.
How do I make beef tallow?
For the best results, you need raw beef fat (from grass fed cows), and a bit of salt, if you like.
Is beef tallow actually good for skin and health?
And yes, beef tallow can be used to moisturize skin, support cooking needs, and contain vitamins A and D for health.
RELATED STUDIES
1. Title: A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef
This review indicates that grass-fed beef has a more favorable fatty acid profile, including higher levels of omega-3s and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support immune function, bone health, and skin nourishment.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/
2. Title: Surprising Health Benefits of Beef Tallow + 12 Different Uses
This article discusses the high smoke point of beef tallow, emphasizing its stability for high-heat cooking compared to vegetable oils, which can break down into harmful compounds.
Link: https://wellnesswithkaelyn.com/blog/beeftallow
3. Title: Surprising Health Benefits of Beef Tallow + 12 Different Uses
This article notes that beef tallow is non-comedogenic, making it suitable for skincare without clogging pores, and compares it favorably to other natural oils.
Link: https://wellnesswithkaelyn.com/blog/beeftallow
4. Title: A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef
Summary: This review highlights the increased levels of omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in grass-fed beef products, linking them to reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/
5. Title: The Benefits of Stearic Acid for Skin Health
This article outlines the skin barrier function of stearic acid, highlighting its effectiveness in repairing dry or chapped skin while providing a protective layer.
Link: https://www.thezoereport.com/beauty/stearic-acid-for-skin
