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Discover clever uses for homemade tallow, including making soap
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Tallow is made out of beef fat trimmings that have been slowly heated, or rendered, until they liquefy. After tallow is cooled and solidified, it can be melted down for cooking, frying, and baking and to make all-natural soaps, body creams, and lip balms. Making beef tallow is actually really easy (if a little time-consuming)! So let us guide you step-by-step through rendering beef tallow yourself using 2 simple methods. Plus, we'll share a recipe for turning your homemade tallow into soap bars.
How to Make Beef Tallow: Quick Steps
- Cut beef trimmings into small chunks and put them in a large slow cooker.
- Turn the burner on the lowest heat setting and render the fat for 6-8 hours.
- When the liquid fat is clear and only brown cracklings remain on top, remove from the heat.
- Strain the tallow and store it in a sealed glass container.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Making Tallow in a Slow Cooker
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Chop 3 lb (1.4 kg) of beef trimmings into chunks and put them in a slow cooker. Leave the lid off the slow cooker to allow any excess liquid to evaporate into the air. [1] X Research source
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2Turn the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Let it come to a simmer, but never a boil. Stir occasionally to remove any pieces of fat or beef from the bottom of the slow cooker before it sticks and burns. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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3Turn off the heat when the liquid fat is clear and half the solid fat is brown. Don't let any of the solid fat turn black or the liquid fat get too brown or orange, or it will have an almost burnt flavor and smell. [3] X Research source
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4Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and strain the tallow through it. The liquid tallow will filter through the cheesecloth and the fine mesh strainer into the bowl, while the cheesecloth will catch any remaining pieces of solid fat and beef. [4] X Research source
- It's important to strain any remaining beef from the tallow to prevent the tallow from going rancid too soon after it's been stored.
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5Pour the liquid tallow into a glass container with an airtight lid. Let it cool and solidify thoroughly before screwing the lid on the container. Then store the tallow in a cool, dry place, such as your refrigerator. [5] X Research source
- Wide-mouth glass mason jars work best, since they're easier to scrape tallow out of once it's solidified.
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Section 2 of 5:
Making Tallow on the Stove
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Chop 3 lb (1.4 kg) beef trimmings into small pieces. Refrigerate the trimmings beforehand to make them easier to cut. [6] X Research source
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2Heat the beef trimmings on low in a large pot on the stove for 5-6 hours. Stir the beef trimmings periodically. Remember to scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent pieces of beef or beef fat from sticking to it and burning. [7] X Research source
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3When the fat is liquefied with brown cracklings floating on top, it's done. Remove the tallow from the heat before it browns or burns and let it cool for a few minutes. [8] X Research source
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4Strain the beef tallow through cheesecloth over a fine mesh strainer. Ensure the liquid tallow is completely free of any pieces of beef and solid fat. [9] X Research source
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5Transfer the liquid tallow into an airtight glass container. Allow it to cool thoroughly before putting the lid on the container and storing it in your refrigerator. [10] X Research source
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Section 3 of 5:
How to Make Beef Tallow Soap
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1Gather your tallow soap ingredients and supplies. This basic beef tallow soap recipe only requires three ingredients, but you'll also need protective gear and several cooking utensils. We have everything you need listed below. [11] X Research source
- 30 fl oz (890 mL) liquid tallow
- 3.88 oz (110 g) lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 11 fl oz (330 mL) distilled water
- White vinegar to neutralize lye that comes in contact with your skin
- Goggles, face mask, long-sleeved shirt, and gloves
- Measuring cup
- 3 bowls and 1 pan
- Wax paper
- Soap mold and bar cutter
- Digital kitchen thermometer
- Digital kitchen scale
- Immersion blender
- Wooden spoons
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2Pour 11 fl oz (330 mL) water into a bowl and slowly stir 3.88 oz (110 g) lye into it. Complete this step outside or turn on your kitchen vent hood to help waft away the lye fumes. Once the mixture is complete, let it cool to 100–110 °F (38–43 °C). [12] X Research source
- Avoid pouring water onto the lye, as this will cause the two substances to react too quickly and result in a miniature explosion.
- Wear your goggles, mask, long-sleeved shirt, and gloves while mixing the lye with the water. Not only are the fumes toxic, but lye is caustic and will burn your skin if it gets on you. If lye comes into contact with your skin, pour distilled vinegar on it to neutralize it.
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3Heat 30 fl oz (890 mL) tallow in a pot on the stove on low until it reaches 100 °F (38 °C). Then remove it from the heat and pour the lye and water mixture into it. [13] X Research source
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4Blend the tallow and lye mixture with an immersion blender until it resembles pudding. [14] X Research source At this point, you can add up to 50 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional). You can also leave it unscented if you prefer or are allergic to essential oil . [15] X Research source
- Use only high-quality essential oil, as it is the safest for your skin and overall health. Brands that sell pure essential oil will list the oil as the only ingredient (usually by its Latin name) and the process they used to extract it. [16] X Research source
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5Line the soap mold with wax paper and pour the tallow into it. Wear your gloves during this step to protect your hands from the hot mixture. [17] X Research source
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6Cover the mold and let the soap set for 2 days until it's solidified. It should be firm enough that you can cut into it with a knife, and the knife will come out clean. [18] X Research source
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7Remove the soap from the mold and cut it into squares using a soap-cutting tool. You can use a straight or wavy cutter to create a rippled texture on either side of each soap bar. [19] X Research source
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8Set the bars on a piece of wax paper to "cure" – dry out – for 6 weeks. This step allows the excess moisture in the soap bars to evaporate, leaving the bars completely solid and ready for use. [20] X Research source
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9Wrap the individual soap bars in wax paper to store them until use. You can store them in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use them, or you can give bars away to friends, family members, and coworkers.
- According to Shelley Williams, soapmaking expert and founder of Craft and Light , storing your tallow soap bars in wax paper helps protect their texture and maintain the oils and fats inside them.
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Things You'll Need
To Render Tallow in a Slow Cooker
- 3 lb (1.4 kg) beef trimmings
- 4–5 US qt (3.8–4.7 L) slow cooker
- Fine mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Large glass bowl
- Glass mason jars
To Render Tallow on the Stove Top
- 3 lb (1.4 kg) beef trimmings
- Large stockpot
- Fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth
- Large glass bowl
- Glass mason jars
References
- ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-beef-tallow
- ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-beef-tallow
- ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-beef-tallow
- ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-beef-tallow
- ↑ https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-beef-tallow
- ↑ https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/02/how-to-render-beef-tallow.html
- ↑ https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/02/how-to-render-beef-tallow.html
- ↑ https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/02/how-to-render-beef-tallow.html
- ↑ https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/02/how-to-render-beef-tallow.html
- ↑ https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/02/how-to-render-beef-tallow.html
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/essential-oils-an-overview
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://roundthebendfarm.org/2019/04/16/how-to-make-soap-using-100-grass-fed-beef-tallow/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/rfb2IZnLrp4?si=HgbcT_cSIHIxVEQN&t=165
- ↑ https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/what-is-beef-tallow-is-it-good-for-me/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/0ha9qlq4a6w?si=9v8SGbz1QBqiQh0e&t=45
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20688147/
- ↑ https://thecoconutmama.com/does-beef-tallow-go-bad/
- ↑ https://thecoconutmama.com/does-beef-tallow-go-bad/
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