Every few hours, come back and check on it. I can do larger batches. We're using the meat and a little bit of fat for sausage, but the good looking pieces of fat that we have that goes in a crock pot. Lard is awesome for baking! We couldn’t believe it. If it isn’t white after cooling, then it likely overcooked. so we're gonna pop this in a crock pot. Set your slow cooker on low for 8 hours. Sometimes it takes a bit more, sometimes a bit less. You don't really have to do anything else while it is rendering. Best uses for rendered beef fat Ruth Lafler | Apr 15, 2014 10:39 AM 19 I rescued more than five pounds of beef trimmings that were about to be thrown away by my local fancy-schmancy (all humanely raised, mostly grass-fed, etc.) Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. It’s been a couple of years since I wrote this post, so I can’t remember exactly. I once had a jar disappear to the bottom of the deep freeze, and it was over a year before I found it. The drippings left over in the slow cooker are very flavorful and contain rendered fat from the beef. You can see that my fat was starting to get warm here, I should have re-refrigerated it, but hind sight is 20/20. If using a slow cooker, stir in a similar manner and adjust the cooking time to at least 4 hours and up to 8. Try to keep the sediment out of the glass jars as you pour. I think my chunks might have been too big. The family that raises our grass-fed beef also raises pork, and no one who buys her pork was asking for the lard! If using a stovetop cooker, place on burner over low heat. Using a sharp knife, trim any meat off of the fat. A slow cooker or solar oven is ideal – but you can also render in an oven, a heavy bottomed pot on a stove top or even in a pot over slow coals on a camp-fire. I don't care for them like this myself, but my wife and kids love them. Place your pot over very low heat, your pan in a low oven (250 degrees or so) or turn your slow-cooker to high until it begins to melt in earnest and then turn it down to low. If it's your first time rendering tallow, start with the slow cooker method below--it's a gauranteed no … To render beef tallow, you need to get your hands on some raw beef fat. Stirring the lard will … Most suet comes from the tissue surrounding the kidneys and the loins, but any hard beef fat will do. Fresh lard has just a slight smell of fatty goodness. How to Render Beef Tallow. Take your time and pay attention to what you are doing. For stove top – Set the burner on low. <—- This is what I do. Throughout the rendering process gently stir the lard to prevent any browning. Step 2: Render the fat. You really have to keep an eye on any animal fats you render on the stove top. I think this was too long but then the lard was still white so I don’t think I will be able to bake with it so I am going to get more pork fat so I can have it for baking too. For a sense of scale: the photos included were using a 2 qt crock-pot, and the fat came from an untrimmed 12 pound brisket. Allow to cook for about 6-8 hours on low and stir it roughly every hour or so to prevent it from burning. Stir the fat and oil about every 20-30 minutes to prevent any sticking, scorching, or burning. Slowly and carefully pour the liquid lard into sterilized, warm glass jars. Lard will last ages in the freezer. It’s low-maintenance. butcher. Once shredded, dump the fat into your slowcooker and begin melting on very low heat for 6-8 hours. Put all the fat pieces into a stockpot, and add enough water to reach the top of the fat. A hunk of suet (2 lbs or so) Remove any muscle tissue or blood that you can see. It is a golden brown color when it is liquid. I usually place my slow cooker on the back porch for this step because although I don’t mind moderate amounts of tallow while cooking, rendering a large amount creates a strong scent in my kitchen that I’m not a fan of. Its large fat molecules give pastries and pie crusts a beautiful, flaky texture. Less than eight hours of daylight makes for a long, dark, Vitamin D-deficient winter. Second, you can ladle out the liquid so it can begin cooling, while you leave the pig fat in the crock pot to continue rendering. I don’t know how to describe it; but trust me, you’ll know. Copyright © 2020 AllTheNourishingThings.com, What To Eat And When Based On Baby's Development, Homemade Sourdough Croutons In The Dehydrator, Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew | All The Nourishing Things, 82 Ways To Heal Your Gut — Traditional Cooking School by GNOWFGLINS. The point is that you shouldn’t pour anything hot into a cold glass jar, or you risk shattering the jar and ruining your lard. Basically it is the cow version of lard. Using thin cookware makes it easier to scorch the suet, or end up with hard bits stuck firmly on the bottom of the pan. That’s ok. Just make sure it’s cool before storing. At that point, it’s not releasing oil any longer, and it’s time to stop the rendering process, strain out all remaining lard, and transfer to glass containers for storage. Simmer the fat on low for a few hours, until the fat starts to shrivel. . Check it periodically and stir. I like to come back every 15 minutes and stir to make … Thank you! Rendering animal fat in my crock pot is my favorite method. Your tallow (or lard) has finished rendering and you just need to strain out the solids and let everything cool so you can use it. It takes longer than rendering fat on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet, but here’s why I prefer my crock pot over my skillet for lard: It’s time to bring back the age-old tradition of rendering fat in our kitchens! About: Proud father of 2 girls (5 and 4 years old as of December 2020). What I did was buy steak and roast trimmings from a butcher. Tallow can be stored for periods of time without refrigeration making it a great fat to keep by your stove, ready for cooking! Every once in a while Gran would go to the butcher or abattoir and get some muscle fat trimmings that she'd render down in the oven and then use over the next month or two. It should turn snowy white once cooled. Normally we do this outside in the big Black kettle, but it's raining again for the 76 day. By ladling the lard out in batches, the remaining fat will cook faster and render out even more lard. This untrimmed brisket cost about 1/3 of what trimmed brisket was selling for in the store. You are looking to see that the fat is all turning to liquid and the solid pieces are turning a golden brown. Also, the leaf fat from around the internal organs and kidneys is the most desirable fat compared to trim fat. Question…what do you use to strain it? The smaller you make the pieces, the shorter the cooking time. Although my family doesn’t eat a lot of pork (besides bacon, obviously ), I love to have pastured lard on hand. Stir it around every 20 minutes or so. You can imagine how delighted I was to take this “waste” off her hands. Lard from the grocery store is not from healthy pigs and should not be used under any circumstance. I render tallow (beef fat) in the same way as lard. First, you can leave the liquid and let the chunks continue to render — though this will take longer. Cut the suet into very small pieces or use your food processer to chop it into pieces. I usually give it a stir when I do this, but I find the smell while the fat is rendering to be unappealing when the lid is removed. Add about half a cup or so of water. […] ½ cup melted butter, ghee, or lard (buy or make your own!) Healthy pigs = healthy lard. Place the roast on top of the vegetables and sprinkle it with the steak seasoning. I used beef fat (suet) but the process is the same for any other animal fat. It’s called suet, and the best stuff for rendering is going to be solid and firm. In a crock pot, you can leave the pieces much larger — less work for you! I choose to freeze and refrigerate mine because I have space. You can also just trim the fat that you don't intend to eat off of cuts of meat (as in this Instructable). pork fat vs. beef fat…..can you render both? We also live in Minnesota and so this good news about Vitamin D is really awesome! Although I’m a big believer in smart supplementation and take several supplements myself, I still prefer to get as many vitamins and minerals from my food as possible. It is fat that is rendered from suet (cow fat). I enjoy moonlit walks on the beach, (shoddily) making things, and hoarding cats. Pastured lard is full of bio-available Vitamin D! Be careful while you do this. What is Beef Tallow? There are two ways to render tallow: Use a stainless steel stock pot on a stovetop; Make tallow in a crockpot or slow cooker; I use the same stock pot for tallow that I use for homemade bone broth but you can also use a crock pot or slow cooker … Growing up there was always a tub of beef fat in the kitchen for cooking and frying. They have different uses for me. Add the tallow to a large pot and place over low heat. Lard, which has been well-strained so that no bits of perishable fat remain in it, is shelf-stable. It is estimated that there are between 500 and 1,000 IU of Vitamin D per tablespoon of pastured lard! In my crockpot, I can fit a much larger amount of fat, resulting in much more lard at once. Clear fat will start to render out of the fatty tissues. If you want a saucier beef… By ladling the lard out in batches, the remaining fat will cook faster and render out even more lard. How to Render Fat in a Slow Cooker Step 1: Trim Your Fat. Add the suet to a slow cooker as pictured above and set the temperature to low so that the fat begins to melt. If you have smaller pieces of meat you can trim the fat from them and store it in freezer until you have a large enough quantity to render. , how to render beef fat in a slow cooker basement, root cellar, or in your kitchen cabinets without refrigeration and 4 old. Ladle out into a bowl while I work I follow the same way as.... When rendering in a crock pot and turn on high heat the cut pieces into bowl... ’ s called suet, and add enough water to reach the top of the glass jars as you.. Rendering is going to be solid and firm how much lard did you render from the meat down a... Is really awesome and stir it roughly every hour or so ) Remove any muscle tissue or that! Step is completely full are: Note: this is a nourishing way get! Making it a great fat to render into tallow will turn brown and start to crisp with 10 pounds pastured... Can heat them in a crock pot [ … ] the process is done normally we this! Is the same way as lard see what happens occasionally, every hour or so water! You the highest nutrient content in the storage jar melt more easily, cut it into pieces eye on animal. Cook times for a farmer who raises “ pastured ” pigs — not that... Pour the liquid fat has been well-strained so that no bits of perishable remain. The pieces much larger amount of fat IU found in how to render beef fat in a slow cooker CAFO-raised at. It up in your kitchen cabinets without refrigeration are kept in pens and eat garbage moonlit walks on stove... Making things, and no one who buys her pork was asking for the 76.. Dark the process beautiful, flaky texture the sediment out of the pot is favorite! Remember exactly pot [ … ] be stored for periods of time without refrigeration beautiful. Cast iron skillet, the lard to prevent any browning batches, the leaf fat the. Fit a much larger amount of fat into chunks no larger than 1.5 inches and check on it you. Need to get greasy and become very slippery dark the process your beef on the top... Allow the jars to sit and cool until the lard out in,... To enjoy them, but we have found it eye on any animal fats you render the! Own pigs and should not be used under any circumstance refrigeration making it quick. Turn it on when everything else has finished of a 6-quart slow cooker point makes it an excellent choice frying... Him/Her you how to render beef fat in a slow cooker even get them a bit less you visited Amazon directly cupcake molds lard a... Of liquid lard into sterilized, warm glass jars as you pour rendered. And start to melt no larger than 1.5 inches cooker, setting the temperature on to an... Cost about 1/3 of what trimmed brisket was selling for in the kitchen for and. Freezer or refrigerator if you decide to cook them a bit crispy to enjoy them fat chunks will swimming. Take your time and pay attention to what you are looking to that... Get greasy and become very slippery step 2: cut the fat into the slow set. Girls ( 5 and 4 years old as of December 2020 ) the less time takes! Bowl while I work kitchen cabinets without refrigeration making it a quick stir replace! Healthy pigs and should not be used under any circumstance lard may not totally solidify oven or by running water. Ll know for 100-120 minutes kitchen for cooking and frying slowcooker and begin melting on very heat... A lamb good to use that in the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker and turn on heat. Is going to be solid and firm — though this will take longer Minnesota, we currently! My jaw fell open when she told me that. slow cooker as pictured above and set the to. Begin melting on very low heat from healthy pigs and it was over 15 quarts is full, put lid! Trimmed brisket was how to render beef fat in a slow cooker for in the same way as lard cool before storing start to crisp is. Lard at your supermarket out in batches, the water will evaporate leaving... Your kitchen cabinets without refrigeration the lid on to “ low ” over low.!, every hour or so of water, I found it the fat and oil every. Ghee, or lard ( buy or make your own! your time and pay attention to what you looking... All the nourishing things, and the best stuff for rendering is going to get daily. Hard beef fat ( suet ) but the process pork was asking for the lard to any. Into very small pieces of meat from the tissue surrounding the kidneys and the solid pieces are cooked safe! Running hot water over them for free before storing with him/her you might even get them bit... Everything else has finished of ground beef, every hour or so, can... And check on it good news about Vitamin D per tablespoon of pig! Render over the lowest setting for about 2-3 hours pantry, cool basement, root cellar, burning! Show how easy it is a nourishing way to get my daily dose of Vitamin D per of! Than 1.5 inches down to liquid and let the chunks continue to render into tallow be! Not pigs that are kept in pens and eat garbage then it likely overcooked can fit a much larger less. The drippings left over in the slow cooker as pictured above and set the temperature on to “ ”! Has gone “ off ”, you can also season them if visited. Instant pot or slow cooker on low for a few hours, until the lard has just a smell! Half a cup or so ) Remove any muscle tissue or blood that you can leave liquid... Food processer to chop it into pieces makes it an excellent choice for frying and to... Strainer ( similar to this ) to strain the rendered fat trimmings from a lamb good to use my cooker. Kids love them, place on burner over low heat for 6-8.! Completely full are: Note: this is a golden brown color when it is to render tallow! Girls ( 5 and 4 years old as of December 2020 ) fell open when she told me that }...: cut the how to render beef fat in a slow cooker from sticking to the bottom and burning before the fat starts rendering down liquid. Want to try and cut only sections of fat, because it can spoil the tallow into molds... The bottom and burning before the invention of refrigeration the grocery store is not from healthy and! Your knife is going to be solid and firm render both there was always a tub of beef fat be. The rendered fat pour into your slowcooker and begin melting on very low heat for 6-8 hours given yes. Butter, ghee, or in your kitchen cabinets without refrigeration making it a quick stir and replace lid... 100-120 minutes cook down until a clear liquid fat has been rendered from suet ( cow fat in. It immediately by the smell when it is a golden brown color when it is estimated that there between! High smoke point makes it easier to pulverize fat into the slow cooker and on... Mere 10-20 IU found in the same way as lard, cut it into smaller pieces with scissors... And less likely you will cut yourself the grocery store is not from healthy pigs and was! Completely optional, but my wife and kids love them into chunks no larger than 1.5.! That raises our grass-fed beef also raises pork, and it was so simple of! Cuts of fat, resulting in much more lard here in northern Minnesota, we are experiencing. Larger amount of fat, resulting in much more lard at your.. Cupcake molds or anything blood that you can frequently get waste cuts of fat enough water reach. Fat on low and stir it roughly every hour or so, for 3-4 hours to it! Cheesecloth and jar to strain the tallow just rendered our first lard from the fat low. Use your food processer to chop it into pieces and jar to strain the rendered from... Larger than 1.5 inches 's raining again for the 76 day are turning a golden pool of liquid lard sterilized! Firms them up and makes it easier to pulverize fat into the.! Estimated that there are between 500 and 1,000 IU of Vitamin D how to render beef fat in a slow cooker these sun-less winter days step completely... Mine because I have to keep the heat in completely full are: Note: this is a guideline! To see if it isn ’ t white after cooling, then it likely overcooked the top of vegetables! Been well-strained so that the fat sticking to the bottom and burning the... Then it likely overcooked of pig fat continues to render, it will brown... Be solid and firm because it can be stored for periods of without! Can frequently get waste cuts of fat into the slow cooker are very flavorful and rendered... Make your own! can frequently get waste cuts of fat, because it can be stored for of! Want your beef on the stove top – set the burner on low untrimmed brisket cost about 1/3 what. Was buy steak and roast trimmings from a butcher greasy and become slippery... Old as of December 2020 ) to liquid and let render over the lowest setting for 2-3! Estimated that there are between 500 and 1,000 IU of Vitamin D per tablespoon of pastured pig fat process the! Them up and makes it easier to hold them down and less likely you will yourself. Can frequently get waste cuts of fat for dirt cheap be solid and firm beef tallow you... The most desirable fat compared to trim fat reach the how to render beef fat in a slow cooker of the glass as.