- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- AmericanFoodHealth
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 13
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥩
Beef Tallow Day sizzles onto the calendar every July 13, celebrating a traditional cooking fat that’s making a healthy comeback. Championed by the Healthy Fats Coalition, this day highlights beef tallow’s culinary versatility and nutritional benefits. Discover new recipes, explore its rich flavor, and embrace a healthier approach to cooking.
Want to sponsor Beef Tallow Day? Learn how
History of Beef Tallow Day
Beef tallow is a rendered form of beef. Most of the time, it is cooked down from any cut cow meat; other times, it is fat skimmed from the meat and melted down. Tallow remains soft and pliable at room temperature and can be used instead of butter or oil. It even has a high smoke point, making it a great option for deep-frying and cooking that requires high heat. Tallow is used to make candles and soaps, even though its safest use is as a cooking fat.
Though beef tallow is not a very common ingredient today, it has historically been used for several purposes. Tallow has been an ingredient in soap for several millennia, starting from Ancient Rome and Egypt.
During the Industrial revolution, tallow was sourced by soap manufacturers as a byproduct of the meat industry. Animal fats like tallow have been used for medicinal purposes in several civilizations over the years — including by the Babylonians, Indigenous Australians, and Native Americans. Tallow has also been a common ingredient in beauty products like pomade up until the 20th century.
Tallow has been a part of food preparation in several cultures. Several Native American food preparations included tallow. Today, however, tallow is most often used only by chefs looking to make a statement with their creations. Beef Tallow Day was established by the Healthy Fats Coalition in 2017.
Beef Tallow Day timeline
The ancient Romans begin making candles using tallow
Soap is described as a mixture of tallow and red ash.
The Healthy Fats Coalition is formed to promote the consumption of healthy animal fats.
The first Beef Tallow is celebrated by the Healthy Fats Coalition.
Beef Tallow Day FAQs
When is Beef Tallow Day?
Beef Tallow Day 2026 falls on Monday, July 13, inviting home cooks and food enthusiasts to rediscover this versatile cooking fat.
What are the health benefits of beef tallow?
Beef tallow is rich in monounsaturated fats, similar to olive oil, and contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also stable at high cooking temperatures, making it a healthier alternative to many processed vegetable oils.
How popular is beef tallow today?
While once a staple, beef tallow saw a decline with the rise of industrial vegetable oils. However, it’s experiencing a significant resurgence among health-conscious consumers, chefs, and those following paleo or keto diets.
How does beef tallow compare to other cooking fats?
Beef tallow offers a distinct savory flavor and a high smoke point (around 400°F), making it excellent for frying and searing. It’s often preferred over butter for its stability and over vegetable oils for its natural composition and lack of processing.
How to Observe Beef Tallow Day
Cook something using beef tallow
If you like cooking, try to cook something using beef tallow instead of oil or butter. Give it a try, you may find you like it!
Find a restaurant that uses tallow
Find a restaurant in your area that uses tallow and give them a visit. If you’re so inclined, you can ever write up a review and post it.
Share your experience on social media
If you enjoy your experience, share your experience on social media to spread the word. There’s no better way to get the word out about new things and experiences.
5 Interesting Facts About Cows
Average teeth count
The average cow has 32 teeth.
They’re from Turkey
Cows are domesticated for the very first time in Turkey.
Good swimmers
Cows are actually very good swimmers.
90% of milk supply
Dairy cows provide 90% of the world’s milk supply.
One stomach, four sections
Cows only have one stomach but that one stomach is divided into four sections.
Why Beef Tallow Day is Important
It offers an alternate option to conventional cooking fats
While most people aren’t rushing to swap out their olive oil and butter, Beef Tallow Day brings attention to an alternative to cooking fat. See what dishes you can concoct using tallow instead of traditional fats on this day.
Tallow has an interesting history
Tallow has been used for several purposes across the globe. The history of tallow is also the history of soap, candles, and the industrial revolution, among other things.
It’s an excuse to try food cooked in tallow
Beef Tallow Day is the perfect excuse to try food cooked in tallow. Post new recipes and reviews of your favorite dishes containing tallow.
