Rendering Tallow

Equipment:

• Slow Cooker

• Immersion Blender (optional but highly recommended)

• Large bowl

• Large spoon

• Fine Mesh Strainer

• Large Glass Dish

• Large Knife

• Mason Jars (for storage)

Ingredients:

• Suet (kidney fat)

• 1/4-1/2 C water

  Steps:

1. Take your suet and break it into medium/small pieces. Removing as much connective tissue as possible.

   There should not be any meat attached to suet but if there is, remove that as well.

2. Once everything is removed cleanly (see instagram video), place it in a crockpot with 1/4-1/2 C water.

   I add enough water to lightly cover the very bottom of the crockpot to prevent any burning.

3. Turn crockpot on low and let it render until soft (this can take a few hours).

4. Once all of the pieces are soft, use an immersion blender to turn everything to liquid, this really speeds the rendering process up! If you do not, it will just take longer. The rendering process can take 12+ hours!

5. Once everything is a liquid gold color and there are no chunks left, and minimal “bubbles” simmering, its done!

   There might be some crispy pieces floating around (cartilage or tendons that were not removed-thats okay)

6. Using a fine mesh strainer to catch any crispy pieces, pour the tallow into a large glass dish.

7. Once the tallow is slightly cooled, I like to place mine in the fridge to harden, but you can leave it on the countertop if you wish!

8. Once the tallow block is hard, you are done! Store it however you wish…

   -wrap the whole block in plastic wrap and store it in fridge/freezer

   -cut into chunks and store in mason jars in fridge or freezer (this is my preferred method and what I show in my Instagram video)

   -you can store at room temperature but you must ensure its in a sealed container in a dark cool place AND that all water was rendered out.

Uses?

• Roasting

• Frying/Sautéing

• Baking

Anything you would use butter or other oils, you can use tallow! My favorite is placing a few chunks on my baking sheet over potatoes or squash. Once it melts just give it a good mix and continue cooking!