How to Easily Render Beef Fat for Tallow

Here is how to render beef fat for tallow! This can be used to make skincare products or used in cooking. I love making it for my beauty products, and it is SO easy to make!

Skip the store-bought versions and make your own pure, chemical-free beef tallow at home! No unnecessary additives, no complicated process—just one ingredient and a few simple steps.

Beef tallow is a versatile, nutrient-rich fat that has been used for centuries in natural skincare, herbal remedies, and DIY beauty products.

If you want a deeply moisturizing, all-natural alternative to lotions and creams, rendering your own tallow is an easy way to get started.

I started using tallow and LOVE it. I can’t go back! I use my rose tallow face cream every day and my face has never looked better.

Here is how to render your own beef fat at home to make your own homemade tallow!

beef tallow in glass jar on kitchen counter

Why Use Beef Tallow for Skincare?

Here are some of my favorite benefits of tallow for your skin:

Deeply Moisturizing – Tallow mimics our skin’s natural oils, making it highly absorbent and ultra-hydrating.

🌿 Nutrient-Rich – Packed with fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E, and K, which promote healthy, glowing skin.

🩹 Healing & Soothing – Helps with eczema, burns, scars, and dry skin without clogging pores.

💄 Perfect for DIY Skincare – Works as a base for balms, lotions, whipped body butter, and soap-making.

♻️ Sustainable & Affordable – Uses every part of the animal, making it an eco-friendly alternative to commercial moisturizers.

long view of beef tallow finished

How to Render Beef Fat for Tallow at Home

Here is how to render beef fat to make your own tallow right at home:

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Rest Time: 2 days

Yields: About 30 ounces

Ingredients

✔️ 2 pounds fresh beef fat (suet or leaf fat)

Items Needed

✔️ Fine mesh strainer
✔️ Mason jars (or similar storage containers)

beef tallow

Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 250°F.

2️⃣ Prepare the Fat – Cut the beef fat into large chunks. There’s no perfect size, just avoid leaving it as one big piece.

3️⃣ Bake & Render – Place the fat chunks in an 8×8 baking dish and bake for 3 hours. This will slowly melt the fat into liquid.

after beef tallow has been baked

4️⃣ Strain the Liquid – Carefully remove from the oven and strain the liquid fat through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe measuring cup or bowl.

putting the tallow through a mesh strainer

5️⃣ Jar & Store – Pour the strained liquid tallow into mason jars and secure the lids.

pour liquid tallow in jar

6️⃣ Let it Set – Allow the jars to cool at room temperature, then place them in the fridge for 48 hours to fully solidify.

beef tallow in jars

Notes

  • While I mainly talk about skincare benefits, you can also cook with tallow too! Beef tallow has a high smoking point, which makes it amazing to cook and fry with. It provides amazing flavor, but it also reduces a smoky home after meals. You can use it in place of butter, lard, etc.
  • If you have some random pieces of meat attached to the fat, that’s perfectly ok. It will still cook down just fine.

Storage Tips for Long-Lasting Tallow

Here are a couple of ways to store your tallow:

🔹 Room Temperature: Tallow stays fresh for up to a month when stored in an airtight container.

🔹 Refrigeration: For longer shelf life, store in the fridge for several months.

🔹 Freezing: Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

🔹 Pro Tip: Store jars upside down in the fridge. This separates any water from the fat—once set, simply pour off the water to extend freshness.

top view of the beef tallow in glass jar

What to Expect from Rendered Tallow

Here is what to expect once your tallow is hard:

🥄 Soft Solid in the Fridge – Tallow remains spreadable when chilled, similar to coconut oil.

☀️ Melts at Room Temperature – When left out, it softens into a thin, creamy consistency—totally normal!

beef tallow hard on a spoon

How to Use Rendered Tallow in Skincare & DIY Products

Here are some of my favorite ways to use my rendered tallow:

💜Whipped Tallow Balm– Blend with essential oils for a deeply hydrating lotion.

🩹 Healing Salve – Mix with calendula or plantain-infused oil for a powerful herbal skin repair balm.

💄 Tallow Lip Balm – Combine with beeswax and coconut oil for an ultra-nourishing lip treatment.

🧼 Tallow Soap – Perfect for making luxurious, creamy soap that won’t dry out your skin.

🖐️ Eczema & Dry Skin Balm – Apply directly to dry patches for instant moisture and relief.

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How to Render Beef Tallow

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to render beef tallow at home was a game-changer for me, I hope it is for you too!

With its rich nutrients, moisturizing properties, and healing benefits, tallow is a versatile ingredient for DIY beauty products.

Want to make more tallow recipes? Check these out: