What Is Tallow? Should You Use It?

Tallow is an often-overlooked, yet incredibly versatile and nutritious animal fat that's been a staple in traditional cooking for centuries. Full of health-fueling fat, it should be a staple in anyone’s health-focused kitchen.

What Is Tallow?

Tallow is a type of animal fat that's derived from suet, which is the fatty part of a cow or other ruminant animal. It's rendered, meaning it's been melted down from its solid form to create a liquid or semi-solid substance. Tallow can be used in cooking, skincare, candle-making, and even as a biofuel!

Tallow is typically sourced from beef or mutton suet, although it can also be made from other animals like pigs or goats. The suet is usually taken from the deposits around the kidneys, loins, or other areas of the animal's body, which makes it great from the perspective of trying to eat the entire animal when mindfully consuming animal products.

Health Benefits 

Tallow offers a treasure trove of health benefits, both internally and topically. 

Internal Health Benefits:

Rich in Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Tallow is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K, essential for immune function, bone health, and eye health.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Tallow contains CLA, a potent anti-inflammatory fatty acid that may help with weight management and immune system support.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The fatty acids in tallow, particularly oleic acid, have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate conditions like arthritis and asthma.

Improved Digestion: Tallow contains lipases, enzymes that aid in fat digestion and absorption, potentially alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Increased Energy: The fatty acids in tallow are a rich source of energy, which may help combat fatigue and improve mental clarity.

Topical Health Benefits:

Skin Health: Tallow's fatty acids and vitamins A and E help moisturize and protect the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.

Anti-Aging Properties: The antioxidants in tallow, particularly vitamin E, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a more youthful appearance.

Wound Care: Tallow's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective treatment for minor cuts and scrapes.

Skin Conditions: Tallow may help alleviate symptoms of eczema, acne, and psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects.

Hair and Scalp Health: Tallow's fatty acids and vitamins may help nourish and moisturize the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing dandruff.

Important Note: When using tallow, it's of the utmost importance to choose high-quality, grass-fed, and pasture-raised sources to ensure optimal nutritional benefits. For topical use, always perform a patch test to ensure you're not allergic to tallow or any other ingredients in your skincare products.

How To Use It In The Kitchen

Using tallow in your cooking and baking is a game-changer for any health-focused home cook. Its rich, buttery flavor and high smoke point make it an ideal cooking fat for a variety of dishes and for novice cooks who may find it difficult to keep oils below their smoke point. 

Cooking Methods:

1. Sauteing: Use tallow to sauté vegetables, meats, and seafood for a rich, savory flavor.
2. Roasting: Rub tallow on meats or vegetables before roasting for a moist, flavorful crust.
3. Baking: Substitute tallow for butter oil, or other fats in baked goods, such as pie crusts, biscuits, or cakes.
4. Grilling: Brush tallow on meats or vegetables before grilling for a smoky, caramelized flavor.

Tips and Tricks:

1. Start with small amounts: Tallow can be quite rich, so start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
2. Mix with other fats: Blend tallow with other fats, like olive oil or coconut oil, for a unique flavor profile.
3. Use it as a finishing oil: Drizzle tallow over dishes just before serving to add a burst of flavor and aroma.
4. Make tallow-based sauces: Whisk tallow with vinegar, mustard, or herbs to create delicious sauces for meats or vegetables.
5. Store it properly: Keep tallow in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to prevent spoilage.

Recipe Ideas:

1. Roasted Vegetables: Toss vegetables with tallow, salt, and herbs, then roast in the oven until tender and caramelized.
2. Tallow-Based Gravy: Whisk tallow with flour and broth to create a rich, savory gravy.
3. Tallow-Infused Finishing Oil: Mix tallow with olive oil and herbs, then use as a finishing oil for dishes.
4. Creamy Tallow Potato Soup: Use tallow to make a rich, creamy potato soup. Simply sauté onions and garlic in tallow, then add diced potatoes, broth, and cream. Blend until smooth, then serve with a sprinkle of chives.
5. Tallow-Based Chicken Noodle Soup: Use tallow to make a rich, savory chicken noodle soup. Simply sauté onions and garlic in tallow, then add diced chicken, noodles, and broth. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, then serve with a sprinkle of herbs.
6. Tallow Pie Crust: Use tallow instead of butter or shortening to make a flaky, tender pie crust. Simply mix tallow with flour, salt, and water, then roll out and fill with your favorite filling.
7. Tallow Biscuits: Substitute tallow for butter or lard in your favorite biscuit recipe. The tallow will add a rich, buttery flavor and a tender texture.

Bonus: 2 Non-Culinary Ways You Can Use Tallow

Use It To Make Natural Candles  

To make candles using tallow, melt it with other waxes like beeswax or paraffin, then add a wick and any desired colorants or fragrances. The tallow will add a unique, rustic texture and a warm, natural glow to the candle. Pour the mixture into a mold and allow it to cool and harden, then trim the wick and enjoy your handmade tallow candle.

Add It Into Your Skin + Hair Care Routine

Adding tallow to your hair and skin care routine can be a great way to nourish and moisturize your skin and locks. Here are some ways to incorporate tallow into your routine:

Skin Care:

1. Moisturizer: Use tallow as a moisturizer by applying a small amount to your skin after bathing or showering. It's especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin.
2. Face Cream: Mix tallow with other natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils to create a nourishing face cream. Bonus points if you use it for your daily facial massage or gua sha.
3. Body Butter: Whip tallow with other natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils to create a rich, moisturizing body butter.
4. Lip Balm: Use tallow to make a nourishing lip balm by mixing it with beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils.

Hair Care:

1. Hair Mask: Apply tallow to the ends of your hair as a hair mask to nourish and moisturize dry, damaged locks.
2. Leave-In Conditioner/Serum: Mix tallow with other natural ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and essential oils to create a leave-in conditioner that nourishes and moisturizes your hair.

Food’s Role In Your Journey To Healing 

When we nourish our bodies with whole, nutrient-dense and delicious foods like tallow, we're not just satisfying our hunger; we're also supporting our immune systems, calming inflammation, and promoting optimal health. 

Interested in Learning More?

But tallow alone is unlikely to solve your health issues. If you’re interested in learning more about how a nourishing, balanced diet can help you reverse disease and chronic symptoms, schedule a consultation with someone from our functional health telemedicine team today.