How To Make Beef Tallow

Step 1

Heat the beef fat in a large pot. Place all of your beef fat in a large 4-5 quart pot. Turn the burner on medium-low heat.

Step 2

Render the beef fat. Allow the fat to simmer at this low and slow temperature for 4 hours, stirring about every 30 minutes with a wooden spatula. If needed, scrape the spatula along the bottom of the pan to release any stuck on bits of fat or beef to prevent them from burning. Do not let your fat boil. Reduce heat and stir to maintain a very light simmer.

Step 3

Finish rendering the fat. Your tallow will be finished rendering when the fat covers most of the remaining pieces in the pan. Those pieces will be lightly browned and look crisp all over. You won't be able to see any more white or solid pieces of fat.

Step 4

Strain the rendered fat. Turn off the heat and allow the tallow to cool slightly. Prepare a large bowl fitted with a strainer.  Carefully pour the tallow from the pan through the strainer into the large bowl. The strainer will catch the larger pieces of crispy rendered beef.

Step 5

Strain again into a glass jar. Fit your glass jar with a funnel and insert either a piece of cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a paper towel. Slowly and carefully pour the tallow from the large bowl into the funnel. This step will reduce any remaining impurities in the tallow.

Step 6

Use immediately or store. Your tallow is ready to use immediately, or cover with a tight fitting lid. It should store safely in your fridge for 3 months. Use to cook skillet potatoes, sear steaks, or roast vegetables in place of other cooking fats.