Unlock the hidden treasure in your brisket trim with Chef Tom’s guide to homemade Beef Tallow. That discarded fat becomes a richly flavored, natural cooking fat—perfect for frying, baking, or elevating your next BBQ.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE
- Smart and sustainable – Utilizes brisket trimmings you'd usually discard.
- Simple and precise – Basic ingredients and slow simmering yield pure tallow.
- Deep, versatile flavor – Ideal for frying, sautéing, or baking with rich beefy notes.
- Long-lasting use – Refrigerated tallow stays good for weeks, making it a pantry staple.
Beef Tallow
Tom Jackson
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Cooking Fat
Cuisine
American
Servings
48
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
12 hours
Calories
115
Beef tallow is essentially “liquid gold,” offering a high smoke point, savory depth, and a sustainable way to use what might otherwise go to waste. Make it once and you’ll be hooked on its flavor-enhancing magic.
Ingredients
- 2 lb brisket fat trimmings, ground or finely chopped
- 3 cups water
-
1 tbsp Jacobsen Salt Co. Kosher Sea Salt
Directions
- Combine the fat, water and salt in a 5 quart Finex Dutch Oven. Bring to a simmer, turn heat down to maintain a low simmer. Cook for about 2 hours.
Strain through cheese cloth. Store in a jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Recipe Note
Recipe FAQ
How long does homemade tallow last?
Stored in the fridge, it stays good for up to 2 months.
Can I render it on the smoker or stovetop?
Yes both work great as long as the heat is kept low and slow to avoid burning.
What can I use beef tallow for?
Use it for frying, sautéing, baking, or as a rich substitute for oil or butter.
Can I freeze the tallow?
Absolutely tallow freezes well and can last even longer than refrigerated.
Can I cook these indoors?
We rate these as a 5 out of 5. Perfect for indoor or outdoor cooking.
Recipe Highlights
Trimmings-to-treasure approach: Turns fat that would otherwise be thrown out into a usable cooking fat.
Water-simmered rendering: Cooking the fat in salted water instead of dry heat renders it gently without scorching.
Cheesecloth-strained finish: Removes any remaining solids for a clean, pourable tallow.
Two-month fridge life: Stores well past a single use, making a big batch worthwhile.
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Nutrition
Nutrition
- Nutrition Serving Size
- 1.17 oz
- per serving
- Calories
- 115
- Carbs
- grams
- Protein
- grams
- Fat
- 13 grams
- Sodium
- 133 milligrams
