How To Make Beef Tallow

Learn how to make beef tallow at home with these two easy methods! Use your stovetop or instant pot, to render fresh fat trimmings to use it for cooking, skincare or soap making!

Tallow is an underrated fat. It’s wonderful for cooking due to it’s high smoke point, and is a traditional fat that has been used in skincare for hundreds of years. After the rendering process, you can store this beef tallow in the fridge for cooking, or use it to make natural skincare products like tallow balm and tallow lotion bars. 

What Is Tallow?

Tallow is made from rendered animal fats like beef, lamb and bison. It’s usually rendered from beef suet, but can also be made from other cuts. You can purchase beef tallow online, but one of the most economical routs is to make your own beef tallow. Check out your local butcher and they can help you find quality beef fat for you to render at home.

How To Make Beef Tallow

​For this process you will need a heavy bottom pot or instant pot, a fine mesh strainer, and 2 pounds of beef suet. 

Stovetop Instructions

Start by cutting the beef fat into small pieces. Place all the cut pieces into the pot and add 1/4 cup of water to the pot. Simmer the fat on medium-low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the meat pieces are hard and crispy.

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the tallow to come to room temperature. Once the beef tallow has cooled and is warm, you will need to strain it. Use a slotted spoon to remove any of the large bits.

Then, pour the liquid fat through a fine mesh strainer. Once strained, you may store the tallow in the refrigerator. I store my tallow in a glass jar, but any airtight container will do. Use as a cooking fat or for skincare products. Use the tallow within one year. 

Instant Pot Instructions

If you’d like to speed up the process, you can make the tallow in a slow cooker or instant pot. For this method you will do the same steps, cutting the beef fat and placing it in the pot with 1/4 cup of water. Next, you will secure the lid and pressure cook the fat on low pressure for an hour to 1 1/2 hours. When the timer goes off, allow the steam to release naturally for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Carefully remove the inner pot out of the instant pot. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cracklings and bits of meat. 

Let the tallow cool to room temperature, but don’t let it harden. Once cooled,  you will strain the tallow through a fine mesh strainer. If your strainer isn’t fine mesh, you may need to line it with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. 

Then, use a funnel to pour the rendered fat into a clean glass jar or container. The liquid tallow will solidify in the fridge and become creamy and white!

Watch The Recipe Video:

How To Use Tallow:

• Tallow is great for cooking with high temperatures and can even be used for deep frying. 
• Mix it with olive oil and essential oils to make tallow balm.
• Make lotion bars with beef tallow. These are great for dry skin and all keep your skin feeling soft and smooth!

​FAQ

Where can I find beef fat for rendering?​

​You can check with your local butcher to find quality beef fat for rendering at home. They can assist you in obtaining suitable beef suet or other fat cuts.

What equipment do I need to make beef tallow?

​For this process, you will need a heavy-bottomed pot or an instant pot, a fine mesh strainer, and approximately 2 pounds of beef suet.

Can I use a slow cooker or instant pot for making beef tallow?​

Yes, you can use an instant pot to expedite the process. Simply follow the same steps as the stovetop method, cutting the beef fat, adding water, and pressure cooking on low for 1-1.5 hours or for 6-8 hours in the slow cooker. 

How do I store the rendered beef tallow?​

​Once strained, you can store the beef tallow in an airtight container, preferably in the refrigerator. A glass jar works well for this purpose.

How long does homemade beef tallow last?

​Homemade beef tallow can be stored for up to one year. It is essential to keep it refrigerated to maintain its quality and prevent spoilage.

Can I use beef tallow for deep frying?​

Yes, beef tallow is excellent for high-temperature cooking and can be used for deep frying, offering a unique flavor to your dishes.

Is there a difference between stovetop and instant pot methods?​

​The primary difference lies in the cooking time. The instant pot method can speed up the process, taking approximately 1-1.5 hours compared to the stovetop method, which takes 6-8 hours. Both methods yield quality beef tallow suitable for various uses.

Related Articles & Recipes:

• Beef Tallow vs Coconut Oil: Which is Better?
• The Best Way to Store Beef Tallow

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