What Is Tallow?

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Weekend Homesteader

Tallow is a form of rendered animal fat, most commonly made from beef suet (the dense fat around a cow’s kidneys). Once rendered, it becomes a stable, shelf-friendly fat with a creamy texture and a long history of use in cooking, skincare, soapmaking, and even candlecraft.

It’s essentially the animal-world equivalent of lard, but typically firmer at room temperature and higher in saturated fat.

🧈 Uses for Tallow:

Cooking: Great for frying, sautéing, or baking — has a high smoke point and a rich flavor
Skincare: Packed with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K — mimics skin’s natural oils
Soapmaking: Creates a hard, long-lasting bar with rich, creamy lather
Candles: Burns clean and slow — historically used before wax became common
Preservation: Used in traditional confit and pemmican recipes

🧪 Why Tallow Is Making a Comeback

It’s natural, local, and zero-waste
Contains no seed oils or synthetic additives
Nourishing to skin and bioavailable (your body recognizes and uses it well)
Homesteader-friendly: You can source it locally and render it yourself

🛒 Where to Get Tallow

✅ 1. Local Butcher or Farmer

Ask for beef suet (or kidney fat) — often sold cheaply or even given away. You’ll need to render it at home, which is simple and rewarding.

✅ 2. Farmers Markets or Local Meat Shares

Some vendors now sell pre-rendered tallow in jars, especially if they raise grass-fed cattle. Ask if it’s food-grade or cosmetic-grade, depending on your needs.

✅ 3. Online Sources (Pre-Rendered or Raw Suet)

US Wellness Meats – Grass-fed tallow
Azure Standard – Organic and clean animal fats
Etsy – Small-batch rendered tallow from homesteaders
Amazon – Shelf-stable options (check for pure, unbleached, grass-fed versions)

🥄 How to Render Tallow at Home (Quick Overview)

Chop or grind the suet into small pieces
Heat slowly in a heavy pot or slow cooker (low and slow!)
Stir occasionally as fat melts; strain out cracklings
Pour through cheesecloth into jars
Let cool and store in the fridge, freezer, or cool pantry

🧴 Tallow in Skincare: Why It Works

Tallow closely matches the natural oils in human skin, which makes it non-irritating, deeply moisturizing, and nutrient-rich. Many homesteaders now use it in: