If you’re wondering why beef tallow has become more popular recently, it’s because its use is on the rise. According to a survey, interest in beef tallow has grown 95% over the last year
Beef tallow has been around for a while, but when vegetable-based shortenings like Crisco were introduced in the early 1900s, beef tallow lost ground.
It’s useful to know when beef tallow expires, whether you’re a novice user or a seasoned enthusiast.
At room temperature, beef tallow lasts for a year, in the fridge for 12–18 months, and in the freezer for at least two years.
Below, we’ll go over everything there is to know about beef tallow, its shelf life, and the best ways to store it.
What is Beef Tallow?
Let’s begin by explaining what beef tallow is. Beef tallow is a cooking fat that comes from a cow, much like ghee and butter. It is made by placing beef over a heated surface for several hours at a temperature of typically between 225 and 250° F, or 107 and 121 °C. The rendered fat will now begin to drip out of the beef meat. Tallow that has been rendered remains at the bottom of the pot.
Beef tallow is solid at room temperature because it contains a lot of saturated fats. Beef tallow, like other animal fats, has a high smoke point of 400°F, or 205°C. The smoke points of lard and olive oil are 374°F and 190°C, respectively.
Tallow has a relatively long shelf life when compared to other cooking fats and oils, making it a practical choice for long-term storage. Lard and unrefined avocado oil have a shelf life of 4-6 months at room temperature, compared to beef tallow’s 12-month shelf life at room temperature.
Furthermore, you should be aware that not all tallow is created equal. The diet of the cow and the location of the cow’s fat source have a significant impact on the tallow’s quality. Cattle raised on grass and pasteurized will produce more tallow than those raised on corn and cereal on an industrial farm.
Beef tallow is incredibly tasty and temperature-resistant when used in cooking. It is frequently employed for deep-frying french fries, sautéing vegetables, and pan-searing meats.
Cultures across the world have used beef fat for centuries in their cuisines. But in the past century, saturated fats were said to be unhealthy, a theory that was later debunked. Animal fats are in fact some of the healthiest options since they are loaded with healthy nutrients and are natural foods.
Fun fact: The main ingredients in the popular Native American dish Pemmican are tallow, dried meat, and berries.
Extending the Shelf Life of Beef Tallow
Tallow has a shelf life of 12 months at room temperature. It can be preserved for up to 18 months in a refrigerator and for more than 2 years in a freezer. However, in order for the tallow to remain fresh and usable until it reaches its expiration date, we must take additional measures. When attempting to increase the cooking fats and oils’ shelf life, a prepper should take into account:
- Exposure to Air, Sunlight, and Heat
- Proper Packaging
- Storage Location
Protecting Beef Tallow from Air, Sunlight, and Heat Exposure
Cooking fats deteriorate before their expiration date for the most part due to exposure to air, sunlight, and heat. How to avoid these rancid-causing factors is covered below.
Reducing exposure to air
The tallow quickly turns rancid when exposed to air. Fortunately, this is easily fixed by ensuring that the container is resealed after using the tallow. Generally speaking, the best method of air protection is to use an airtight container.
Reducing exposure to sunlight
Sun has numerous healing properties and should be embraced daily. However, too much exposure to the sun can make food spoil. Make sure to keep the beef tallow in a dark, cool place where food is kept to prevent it from being exposed to the sun.
In general, direct sunlight protection would be ideal in a pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.
Reducing exposure to heat
Heat changes the properties of cooking oils and fats, which causes them to spoil much more quickly. So the tallow will remain fresh and edible for a longer period of time by avoiding heat exposure. The tallow should be stored in a dark, cool location, like a refrigerator or freezer, to prevent heat exposure.
Avoiding exposure to direct sunlight will likely also protect you from overheating.
Proper Packaging for Beef Tallow
The beef tallow’s freshness and shelf life depend on the kind of packaging it is kept in. Therefore, when planning long-term storage, preppers should be aware of the differences between the available packaging options. The different packaging options are:
- Glass jars
- Plastic container
- Plastic buckets
If you are cooking for a family of four or fewer, beef fat should be kept in glass jars. We prefer to use glass jars because they are airtight and convenient to store in storage areas while also being an excellent tool for preserving fat.
Additionally, jars are effective at keeping microplastics out of the fat, because it often leaks into the jar in a plastic container. You should use glass or metal containers when possible to reduce food’s exposure to microplastics. Another reason to use glass jars is that they are more effective than plastic at reducing exposure to heat. Plastic when exposed to direct sunlight, tends to heat quicker than a glass jar.
The downside of using glass is that it is fragile. It is simple to break, ruin, and spill the tallow on the ground.
Quick Tip: Use freezer-safe glass if you plan to freeze the beef fat.
The best method for preserving beef fat in large quantities for a long time is to store it in plastic buckets. Airtight containers with little exposure to sunlight are plastic buckets. The price for beef fat is also the best in terms of dollars per pound.
The drawbacks of using plastic buckets include their inferior ability to withstand heat exposure compared to a glass jar. If you opt to use this packaging strategy, think about keeping the plastic bucket in a shady, cool location, especially if you live somewhere warm.
Plastic containers for food storage should be avoided. We advise against it because the material is most susceptible to being impacted by exposure to air, sunlight, and heat.
The cost of the product is the main benefit of using tallow packaged in plastic jars. Compared to glass jars, items found in plastic are frequently less expensive. You can probably find tallow in a plastic container for a lower price if you’re interested in creating a basic emergency pantry location.
Quick Tip: If you buy tallow in a plastic container, think about transferring it to a glass jar for better defense against exposure to air, sunlight, and heat.
Storage locations for Beef Tallow
Tallow is a shelf-stable cooking fat, so storing it is not too difficult. Tallow can be stored in a:
- Tallow in the pantry has a shelf life of up to 12 months when kept at room temperature.
- Refrigerator: Tallow has a shelf life of 12 to 18 months when kept in a refrigerator.
- Freezer – Tallow that has been frozen can be kept there for more than 24 months.
How do I know if the Tallow has gone Rancid?
Cooking fats and oils emit signs that are simple to detect when they start to go bad. As the best signs of rancidity, we must only concentrate on how the beef tallow appears, smells, and tastes.
It’s best to start by concentrating on how the tallow appears. Keep an eye out for discoloration because it is frequently the simplest way to identify rancidity.
If the tallow passes the visual inspection, pay attention to its aroma. Normally, tallow has an odor resembling smoked beef or jerky. On the other hand, a rancid cooking fat would smell soapy or sour. There is no need to conduct a taste test if you notice any of these smells, and you can discard them.
After the tallow passes the visual and olfactory tests, you can taste it to check for spoilage. You would be able to tell whether the tallow has spoiled with a small sample size. Tallow that has gone bad is simply unpleasant, and you can tell if it has by the flavor.
You should now be aware of the safety of the tallow for consumption. It is best to throw away the cooking fat right away if you have any doubts that it has gone bad because keeping it around could lead to more issues in the future. Tallow that has gone rancid can cause stomach upset and has no nutritional value.
FAQ about Beef Fat
Below are some frequently asked questions related to beef fat.
Healthy alternatives to Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is natural animal fat, which means it is saturated fat and is solid at room temperature. There is a common misconception that animal fats are unhealthy, but the reality is, that they are in fact likeliest the healthiest and most beneficial nutrient in the human diet. Still, you should be aware that there are other cooking fats and oils on the market to help you achieve a healthier diet.
Healthy fats to consider are:
Healthy cooking oils:
How can Beef Tallow be Used?
Tallow is incredibly versatile and can be used for projects other than cooking, making it one of the best items to have in a prepper’s emergency food supply. Some ideas for tallow is to use it for:
- Moisturizing
- Lip Balm
- Making Candles
- Treat Burns
- Alleviate a rash
- Lubricant
- Prevent Rust
- Shaving cream
- Shine leather
What are the Nutritional Facts of Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is almost entirely made from the macronutrient, fat. One serving or a tablespoon (12.8 grams) of beef tallow is:
- Calories: 115
- Fat: 12.8g
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
How to Dispose of Beef Tallow?
Cooking oil and fat disposal should be taken seriously because proper disposal can prevent a lot of money and stress in the future. Cooking fats are typically disposed of by pouring them down the drain, but doing so can harm the pipes because the fats solidify in the drains. If this happens, moving water and waste through the pipes will be more difficult. If you can’t fix this yourself, you’ll have to pay a plumber a lot of money. Following are some suggestions for disposing of beef tallow in an eco-friendly manner:
- Feed it to your Dog
- Add it to a Bird Feeder
- Add it to Compost
- Make Candles
- Make Tallow Soap
- Turn it into Biodiesel Fuel
- Use it as a Shaving Cream
If you want to keep cooking fat around for a while, grass-fed beef tallow is a good choice to keep in your pantry. Tallow can be stored at room temperature in a pantry for up to 12 months without going rancid. However, it can be kept frozen for up to two years and kept chilled for 12 to 18 months.
Because there are so many uses for tallow both inside and outside of the kitchen, prepper should keep beef tallow in their pantry. Tallow can be used as a moisturizer, lip balm, and to treat rashes in a SHTF situation where access to everyday goods is limited. It can also be used to make soap and candles.
Disclaimer: This is not health advice. This is the opinion of individuals who practice holistic living. Before making significant dietary changes, you should speak with health professionals.
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Saul MSaul is a founder and editor of Soulful Prepper. He previously worked as an emerging technology advisor to companies and governments. But now, he makes his living by advising people on prepping and holistic living. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking with his wife, biohacking, reading about history, and embracing his spirituality.
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Making Tallow (and storing fats)
FAQ
How do you know if beef tallow is rancid?
Keep an eye out for discoloration because it is frequently the simplest way to identify rancidity. If the tallow passes the visual inspection, pay attention to its aroma. Normally, tallow has an odor resembling smoked beef or jerky. On the other hand, a rancid cooking fat would smell soapy or sour.
Is homemade beef tallow shelf stable?
If kept in an airtight container, beef tallow is also shelf-stable and will last for a very long time. Tallow is easier to work with, measure, and keep on hand because it is slightly harder than butter when it is at room temperature.
How do you keep tallow from spoiling?
We advise dividing the tallow into smaller containers for freezing for long-term storage. It will remain fresh for months in the refrigerator and years in the freezer.
Does tallow need to be refrigerated after opening?
A: No need to refrigerate tallow. If you do, it will turn into a hard, inoperable substance (although you could warm the jar in a hot water bath). Tallow is naturally shelf stable.