We never seem to know what’s healthy or right, but there’s no denying the flavor of beef tallow, which is making a comeback in many kitchens.
Once pushed aside in favor of vegetable oils, beef tallow is making a flavorful comeback. From TikTok chefs to Michelin-star kitchens, this traditional animal fat is being praised for its high smoke point, rich taste, and surprising health benefits. Discover why beef tallow is sizzling its way back into frying pans, fast food chains, and foodie hearts alike.
Where did it come from?
If you’ve ever heard your parents speak of their grandparents, who probably cooked with an ingredient they simply called lard, they are most likely referring to a type of tallow. The mid to late 20th century featured many recipes that called for beef tallow, but many people have suggested that animal fats can be extremely bad for you. In today’s world of bringing back ancestral diets, this fat is making a comeback. Despite its sudden rise on social media, you may want to understand what it is and whether or not it’s good for you and your family to consume.
What are the health benefits of beef tallow?
This fat is a natural fat, which means it’s not heavily processed like vegetable oils. This means it can have some health benefits that went away when it was no longer used in cooking. Here are some of those benefits:
- Lots of healthy fats – Beef tallow is high in monounsaturated fats, the same that are found in olive oil. These fats support heart health and improve cholesterol balance and reduce inflammation.
- Many fat-soluble vitamins – Unlike vegetable oils, tallow contains several vitamins that are essential for immune health, bone health, and skin nourishment. Specifically, this substance contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins need fat for absorption, and tallow allows that.
- Supports brain and metabolic function – Beef tallow supplies a stable source of energy through the saturated fats it includes. It also helps keep blood sugar levels steady and helps you avoid the energy crashes that can happen with other unnatural forms of energy. These fats are crucial for brain health as they contribute to the structure of brain cells.
- Improved skin health – The similarities between tallow and the natural oils found in human skin make it great for natural skincare. It hydrates and aids in repairing your skin, giving you a much healthier look.
How can you use tallow in your cooking?
You might think of this fat as only good for frying food in your frying pan, which can be problematic for some people. Thankfully, there are other uses for beef tallow, but some include frying food in a pan.
- Sear meats and vegetables – Add a spoonful to your meat and vegetables when searing and enjoy the rich, deep flavor added by this ingredient.
- Make better pie crusts – instead of butter or shortening, add tallow in your pie crusts and enjoy a crisp, flaky texture.
- Fry eggs or potatoes – It is a fat/oil substance and, as such, is great for frying food, especially eggs and potatoes that you’ll want to enjoy as part of your morning breakfast.
- Add to bone broth – Adding a spoonful of beef tallow to your bone broth allows the healthy fats and flavors to become part of the soup or broth that you’ll serve.
- Skincare balm – You can use this product as an ultra-hydrating skin care. Don’t be surprised if your pet wants to lick you more than they already do.
Can you make it at home?
If you have fatty parts of your steak, brisket, or other beef cut that you’ve taken off the meat, you’ve got the ingredients to make your own beef tallow. This allows you to control the process and ensure a pure product if that’s important to you. You’ll slowly melt down the beef fat and then strain out any leftover chunks and impurities to enjoy the fat that you’ll want to cook with. This product can easily replace the oils you’ve been using.
You can buy it too
If you don’t have any beef fat to melt down and you want to use beef tallow in your cooking, you can easily buy it at the store. You can find various options and choose the one that fits your dietary needs and makes the most sense to you.
Using beef tallow in your cooking has impressive health benefits, allows you to enjoy some wonderful flavors, and ensures you can use all parts of the meat you buy instead of tossing out the fatty parts.
Will you put beef tallow to use in your home?
