What is Beef Tallow? How to Make It and Uses for Tallow.
If you're looking for a natural, versatile fat to enhance your cooking, beef tallow is a fantastic option. Once a staple in kitchens worldwide, beef tallow has made a comeback due to its rich flavor, high smoke point, and numerous health benefits. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make beef tallow at home, so you can enjoy this traditional cooking fat in all your favorite recipes.
What is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is rendered fat from beef, typically from the suet (the hard fat surrounding the kidneys). Save your brisket trimmings as well to make tallow. This process involves slowly heating the fat to separate the pure tallow from the other components. The result is a shelf-stable, nutrient-rich fat that can be used for frying, roasting, and even skincare.
Why Make Your Own Beef Tallow?
Making your own beef tallow allows you to control the quality of the fat you’re using, ensuring it’s free from additives and preservatives. It’s also a great way to use every part of the animal, making your kitchen practices more sustainable and cost-effective.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed to Make Beef Tallow
Beef Suet or Fat Trimmings: When trimming your brisket save the fat trimmings and be prepared to make liquid gold a.k.a beef tallow.
Large Pot or Slow Cooker: This will be used to render the fat.
Fine Mesh Strainer and Cheesecloth: To strain the tallow from impurities.
Mason Jars or Airtight Containers: For storing your finished tallow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Beef Tallow
1. Prepare the Fat:
Start by trimming any remaining meat or sinew from the fat. This will help prevent burning and improve the purity of your tallow.
Cut the fat into small, even pieces. The smaller the pieces, the more evenly it will render.
2. Render the Fat:
Stovetop Method: Place the fat pieces in a large pot over low heat. You do not want temperature above 225 degrees or it will burn. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning. As the fat melts, it will separate from the solid pieces, turning into a clear liquid. This process can take 4-6 hours.
Slow Cooker Method: Place the fat in a slow cooker and set it on the low setting. Let it render for several hours, stirring occasionally, until the fat has fully melted, and the solid bits (cracklings) are brown and crispy.
3. Strain the Tallow:
Once the fat has fully rendered, pour the tallow through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth directly into your mason jar. This will filter out any impurities, leaving you with pure beef tallow.
4. Store the Tallow:
Let the tallow cool to room temperature, where it will solidify into a creamy, white fat. Store in a mason jar and refrigerate it for up to a year. You can even place in your freezer to keep even longer.
How to Use Beef Tallow
Now that you have your homemade beef tallow, the possibilities are endless! Here are some popular ways to use it:
Cooking and Frying: Beef tallow’s high smoke point makes it ideal for frying foods like potatoes, chicken, and more. McDonalds used to cook the fries in beef tallow up until the 1990's and switched to 100% vegetable oils.
Baking: Substitute beef tallow for butter or shortening in savory baked goods for a rich, flavorful result.
Roasting Vegetables: Toss your favorite veggies in beef tallow before roasting them to achieve a crispy, golden-brown finish.
Skincare: Beef tallow is known for its moisturizing properties and can be used to make natural lotions or balms.
Health Benefits of Beef Tallow
Beef tallow is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. It’s also rich in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which has been linked to various health benefits, including improved heart health and immune function. Additionally, tallow is a source of healthy saturated fats, which are important for hormone production and energy.
Beef Tallow Pure Healthy Fat
Making beef tallow at home is a simple process that yields a versatile, healthy fat you can use in countless ways. Whether you’re looking to elevate your cooking or embrace more traditional, sustainable practices in your kitchen, beef tallow is a great choice.
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