Making homemade tallow 🖤
Making homemade tallow. @ cypressandoaktallow on insta
To dry render:
1. I started off with 5 pounds of frozen beef suet (fat that surrounds the kidneys) in the crockpot on low. It will take around 24 hours or so but check it regularly to ensure that it doesn’t burn. If dry rendering, do NOT add water. Adding water removes important nutrients!
2. After rendering, strain through cheesecloth, paper towels, or coffee filters to remove the excess bits of beef. Allow it to cool in the fridge in a covered dish.
3. Scrape off the nasty bits from the bottom before rendering again. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if you plan to use the tallow for cooking - possibly do it two (or more) times if rendering for skincare.
4. Once rendered to preference and cooled, put the tallow in a mixing bowl (or use your kitchen aid!)
5. If making skin care, add in roughly 1tbsp of castor oil per cup of tallow and 5-7 drops of your preferred essential oil per cup of tallow. This is ONLY if you’re using the tallow for skincare purposes. Whisk the tallow till it creates a frosting like consistency.
6. Add your tallow to clean jars and you can store in the fridge! It is shelf stable but it lasts longer if you keep it cold.
Homemade tallow is gaining popularity not only for its culinary uses but also for its benefits in skincare. Rich in nutrients and fats, tallow can help moisturize and nourish the skin. It contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for healthy skin. When making skincare products with tallow, consider mixing it with other beneficial oils like jojoba or coconut oil for added hydration. Moreover, tallow is rendered from beef fat, typically sourced from grass-fed cattle, ensuring a more nutrient-dense product. The meticulous rendering process allows for a high-quality product that retains important fatty acids. Whether used in cooking or as an ingredient in beauty routines, homemade tallow can be a versatile and sustainable choice. Explore the many uses of tallow, from cooking high-temperature dishes to creating luxurious skin creams. The process of rendering has historical roots and is a skill that connects you to traditional practices. As you embrace homemade tallow, you're also supporting sustainable practices that respect natural resources.
