Beef tallow has been in use for over a century as the most versatile and flavourful packed fat. Used from one kitchen to the other across this world, be it in frying, cooking, or even some skincare treatments, learning how to make beef tallow from scratch is enjoyable as well as fulfilling.
This is an all-inclusive guide that is going to take you through all the ways that making beef tallow could involve, how best to use it, and tips about how to keep it well until it’s applied.
What is beef tallow?
Before taking a dip in making beef tallow, first let us know the essence of the process. Beef tallow is fat that is melted or rendered from the beef taken, typically from its suet, which usually surrounds the cow’s kidney as well as the loin area.
When rendered, beef tallow is solid at room temperature, making it suitable for frying, sautéing, and roasting. Tallow has a relatively high smoke point, which gives it the potential to withstand even the highest heat without burning—it’s ideal for deep frying.
A very healthy benefit of making your beef tallow at home is the fact that it’s much healthier compared to many other oils that you get from the grocery stores, vegetable oil or canola oil included.
Beef tallow contains saturated fats that can be good for your heart. Plus, in making it at home, it helps prevent the reliance on just anyone else to deliver you the quality of fat.
To begin making beef tallow, it is possible to use the bare essentials and a minimum of tools required. Here are the things one will need:
Beef Fat, or Suet
Beef tallow is built on beef fat, or suet. Suet is the hard, fatty tissue located in the cow’s kidneys and loins region. You should be able to locate a butcher shop or directly from a local farm as your source of the suet you need. High quality could be high grade from grass-fed beef fat.
Large Pot or Slow Cooker
You will also require a means of heat to melt the fat down. A Dutch oven or other large pot should work fine for rendering over the stovetop. If you wish to make things easier, slow cookers make an excellent resource, especially for new beef tallow makers.
Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth
You will squeeze it later when rendering the fat. The fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth will separate the solid bits from the liquid tallow so that you get a clean product.
Storage Containers
When you get your tallow ready, you will need containers to store the product. Glass jars or airtight plastic containers are the best. You should ensure the tallow cools before sealing it in the containers.
How to Make Beef Tallow: Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all the stuff, let us go through how to make beef tallow step by step. This process will take time, but is pretty easy and rewarding in the end:
Step 1: Cut the Suet into Small Pieces
Begin by cubing the suet into little pieces. The smaller the pieces are cut, the faster and more evenly the fat will render. You do not necessarily need to cut it yourself to receive a nice, clear fat; go ahead and ask your butcher to run it through the grinder for you, if you please.
Step 2: Render the Fat
It is now time to get the fat rendering. There are two ways this can be done: stovetop and slow cooker.
On the Stovetop:
Place the chopped suet in a large pot or Dutch oven over low heat. Stir it occasionally to aid in the fat digestion. The fat will break down and become liquid tallow as it warms. This will take around 2-3 hours, so don’t worry; just gently stir it and avoid burning it.
With a Slow Cooker:
If you want to do it with less effort, let the slow cooker do the magic. Put in the cut-up suet on low and allow it to render for 4-6 hours. Stir every now and then to ensure even melting of fat.
Step 3: Strain the Rendered Fat
When the fat is melted completely, strain. Strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth, squeezing into a bowl or jar by pouring liquid fat through. Remove any pieces of meat or connective tissue so that all that remains is pure tallow.
Step 4: Cooling and Storing the Tallow
Let the strained tallow cool to room temperature. The consistency will now harden, smooth and creamy, given that it is cooling.
You can move your tallow to your preferred storage containers when it has cooled. You may place it in the fridge for about 3 months or in the freezer for longer-term preservation.
Preparation of Beef Tallow
Once you’ve learnt how to make beef tallow, you’ll be able to take advantage of all its amazing uses. Here are some popular ways to incorporate beef tallow into your daily life:
Cooking and frying
Beef tallow shines since it has a smoke point; therefore, it is suitable for frying or sautéing. It is good as a replacement for vegetable oil or butter. Use it to fry potatoes, roast vegetables, or sear meats and let that rich beef flavor penetrate the food.
Baking
Beef tallow is wonderful for baking; especially good are savoury pie crusts, biscuits, or cookies. Baked goods tend to be tender with a flaky texture, and they have a unique flavour.
Moisturiser and Skincare
Beef tallow has vitamins A, D, E, and K. It, therefore, is an exceptional moisturiser for dry skin. It also aids in the healing of wounds and can be applied in the preparation of homemade soaps and balms.
Candle Making
You may also prepare candles from beef tallow if you are a DIY enthusiast. Beef tallow candles take longer to burn down than paraffin candles and are an excellent natural alternative.
Dog Treats, Biscuits, or Dog Food
Beef tallow is, in fact, healthy enrichment for homemade treats or dog biscuits. It offers a rich form of energy from your pets, so it can even be added for other dishes or used like a coating layer over dog biscuits.
Advantages of Making Your Beef Tallow
Making your beef tallow has several advantages:
Control Over Quality
This is the advantage when you make your own tallow: you get to control everything about the fat. You may choose organic, grass-fed beef for the best product.
Cost-Effective
Rendering beef tallow is cheaper than buying the already prepared tallow in the grocery store. Suet is a cheap commodity and can be rendered in large quantities that will last for a while.
Versatility
Beef tallow is so versatile. Be it cooking, baking, making skincare products, or candles, the uses are very many.
Sustainability
Making your tallow can help you save on waste. It is also more sustainable compared to buying processed oils, which allows you to make use of every part of the animal.
Tips on How to Store Beef Tallow
Beef tallow, if stored well, will be good and usable for months. Here are some tips:
Refrigeration: Beef tallow can be preserved in the fridge for as long as 3 months. Store it inside an airtight container such that it doesn’t pick up smells from the storage.
Freezer: In case you intend on storing it for a year, freezing is fine, too. Make sure to put this in freezer-safe containers or use ice cube trays so that it can be transferred according to demand.
Room Temperature: You may keep this tallow at room temperature for a couple of days, should you not require it again anytime soon. Choose a location that is cool, dry, and avoids sunlight directly hitting the spot.
Why The Smokingrills for Beef Tallow Cooking?
If you cook using beef tallow, you will understand how important it is to have the right and wrong tools. You get the finest grills and cookware through The Smokingrills.
Thus, during cooking using beef tallow, there will be even heat distribution. Fry, sear, or roast your food because that is the essence of having the product called The Smokingrills.
Conclusion: How to Prepare Beef Tallow
You know now how to prepare beef tallow, and now you’re ready to enjoy anything this rich, flavourful fat has in store for you. You could cook, bake, or put it in your personal care product, so go ahead and let homemade tallow be your excellent addition at home.
Here is how to make your own beef tallow easily by just following these simple steps and begin trying your hands at making use of these several applications today.
