How to Store Beef Tallow Correctly

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Keep beef tallow fresh for up to two years

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA Reviewed by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: May 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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Proper Storage

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Factors that Affect Shelf Life

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Signs of Spoilage

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Using Beef Tallow

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Benefits

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FAQs

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Video

Beef tallow is making a major comeback as an all-natural cooking oil, beauty product, and more. When it’s stored properly, it can last for up to 2 years—but what does that look like? We’re covering everything you need to know about how to store beef tallow at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer.

How do you store beef tallow long-term?

Store beef tallow in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. If kept properly sealed, it will last for up to 12 months at room temperature. You can also place beef tallow in the fridge, where it will stay good for up to 18 months, or you can freeze it to keep it fresh for up to 2 years.

Section 1 of 6:

Storing Beef Tallow

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Refine the beef tallow if you’re making it yourself. To make your own beef tallow, cut beef fat into 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces and pass it through a meat grinder or food processor. Render (or melt) the fat over low heat in a slow cooker or over a double boiler, then strain it through a cheesecloth and refrigerate it overnight. After it sets up, scrape any impurities off the bottom.
- Repeat as needed until the tallow is solid white (or close to white), with no flecks when the tallow solid and no cloudiness when it’s rendered.
- This process will remove any water and impurities from the tallow, which will help it last longer in storage.
- If you don’t want to render the beef tallow yourself, professional soap maker Kia Paylor says you can “buy it pre-rendered.”^{[1]
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Pour the tallow into an airtight glass jar. If the tallow is solid, melt it over low heat in a slow cooker or double boiler. Then, carefully pour it into an airtight container like a mason jar—use a funnel if you need to. Seal it with a fresh lid and ring to prevent contamination.^{[2]
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- Sealing the tallow in an airtight container will help prevent oxidation, significantly extending the tallow’s shelf life.
- You can also vacuum seal the mason jar to secure the seal and improve the shelf life even more.
- If you buy pre-rendered beef tallow, it should already be in an airtight jar. If it isn’t, scoop it out of its container and melt it as described above, then pour it into an airtight container.
- Label the jar with the month and date so you’ll know when to replace it.
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Keep the tallow in a cool, dark place at room temperature. The tallow will be easiest to scoop out of the jar when it’s at room temperature, so a lot of people prefer to store it that way. Tallow is shelf-stable, so it will keep for a long time, but to keep it from spoiling, store it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like your stove or a furnace.^{[3]
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- How long does beef tallow last at room temperature? With proper storage and handling, beef tallow can last up to a year at room temperature.
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Place the jar of tallow in the fridge to extend its shelf life. Putting tallow in the fridge will cause it to harden, but it will also help it last longer. This is a good option if you’ve already opened a jar of tallow and want to keep the remainder. To keep the tallow from picking up any smells from other food in the freezer, place a container of baking soda near the jar of tallow to absorb odors.^{[4]
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- How long does beef tallow last in the fridge? When stored properly, beef tallow will stay good for up to 18 months in the fridge.
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Freeze the tallow in blocks or cubes to store it long-term. Freezing the tallow will give it the longest shelf life, but it can be a little hard to work with if it’s in a jar. Instead, pour the rendered tallow into a deep baking pan lined with parchment paper so it sets up in a block, or pour it into an ice cube tray, then pop the cubes into a freezer bag.^{[5]
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- Hold your knife under warm running water to make it easier to slice tallow that’s frozen into a block.
- To thaw a whole portion of beef tallow, put it in the fridge overnight. Don’t thaw it at room temperature or in the microwave—this could allow bacteria to grow that could spoil the tallow.^{[6]
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  Research source} If the texture of the tallow changes after freezing it, try gently warming it doubler boiler before you use it.
- How long does beef tallow last in the freezer? When frozen, beef tallow can last for up to 2 years.
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Scoop or cut the tallow with clean utensils to avoid contamination. Don’t use the same spoon you’re cooking with to scoop tallow out of the jar. You could introduce bacteria into the container that will cause the beef tallow to spoil and turn rancid. And if you’re slicing frozen beef tallow, always use a clean knife—the chance of bacteria growing in the freezer is fairly low, but it’s better to err on the safe side here.
- If you’re using beef tallow as a moisturizer, use a clean spoon or spatula to dip it out of the container—don’t use your fingers to scoop it out or it could become contaminated.

Section 2 of 6:

Factors that Affect Shelf Life

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Light, heat, moisture, and air can all impact beef tallow’s shelf life. Light and heat will break down the fat particles in the tallow, which will cause it to spoil. Leaving the tallow exposed to air will cause it to oxidize, and introducing moisture can allow bacteria to grow.^{[7]
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Research source} Here’s what to know to keep your beef tallow fresh:
- Temperature: Keep the tallow below 72 °F (22 °C) and away from heat sources like an oven, furnace, or heating vent.^{[8]
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- Light: Store the tallow out of direct sunlight to keep the oil from breaking down.
- Oxidation: Each time you use the tallow, re-seal the airtight container to prevent oxidation.
- Moisture: If you’re making your own tallow, refine it until there’s no cloudy water left in the fat when it’s rendered. Also, take care not to introduce moisture into the container when you’re storing the tallow.
- Bacteria: Use clean utensils to scoop or cut the tallow to prevent contamination.
- How well it was prepared: Rushing the process could mean that bits of meat or moisture are left behind in the tallow, which could cause it to spoil faster.

Section 3 of 6:

Signs Beef Tallow Has Spoiled

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Watch for changes in the tallow’s scent, appearance, or texture. Beef tallow should have a mild, slightly beefy scent, a creamy white or off-white color, and a smooth texture at room temperature. If you notice a sour or soapy smell, discoloration, visible mold, or changes to the texture, the tallow has probably spoiled.^{[9]
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- If the beef tallow goes rancid, throw it out. It could make you sick if you use it for cooking, and if you use spoiled tallow as a moisturizer, the bacterial growth could potentially lead to a skin infection.^{[10]
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Section 4 of 6:

Using Beef Tallow

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Beef tallow can be used for cooking, candles, soap, and beauty products. Beef tallow can be used as cooking oil to give a rich, savory beef flavor to sauteed or fried foods. Beef tallow french fries are a popular option—you can also use it to sear steaks, saute vegetables, or create savory pastries.^{[11]
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- Beef tallow has been trending in beauty circles as a viral all-natural moisturizer—it may provide relief for some people with sensitive or dry skin.^{[12]
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- Paylor says, “Tallow can replace palm oil in soap recipes, helping the soap harden and last longer. It gives soap a firmer texture. Mix it with olive oil for moisture and coconut oil for lather.”^{[13]
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- Beef tallow can also be used in homemade candles.^{[14]
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- You can also use beef tallow to season cast iron, condition wood cutting boards or furniture, lubricate metal, condition leather, or as a deep conditioner for hair.^{[15]
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Section 5 of 6:

Benefits of Beef Tallow

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Beef tallow may be healthier than people think. Beef tallow is an animal fat, but that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. It contains a type of saturated fat that may not raise cholesterol, as well as mono and polyunsaturated fats that are thought to be better for you than saturated fats.^{[16]
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- Additionally, tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, especially when it comes from grass-fed beef.^{[17]
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- Like any fat, beef tallow should be consumed in moderation.
Beef tallow can withstand temperatures of up to 400 °F (204 °C), so it’s ideal for high-heat frying, frying, or sauteing. To put that into perspective, lard (which is made from pork fat) has a smoke point of 370 °F (188 °C) and extra-virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 325–375 °F (163–191 °C).^{[18]
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Beef fat is often discarded when beef is butchered. Rendering that fat into a shelf-stable product that can be used for cooking, emergency candles, homemade soaps, and beauty products is a great way to repurpose something that would just be thrown out otherwise.
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It’s similar to the natural oils in our skin. That can make it a gentle moisturizer for some people, especially those who have dry skin. It also contains a certain type of fat—conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA—that may have anti-inflammatory benefits.^{[19]
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- Some people may have an allergic reaction to beef tallow, so test it on a small area of your skin to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation.
Beef tallow is incredibly versatile, so keeping it on hand just makes sense. It’s perfect for cooking, but it’s also a popular all-natural option for beauty products, soaps, and candles. And it can restore moisture and repel water from materials like wood or leather. For one product, it’s a real heavy-hitter.

Section 6 of 6:

FAQs

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How long can beef tallow last? Beef tallow can last for up to 12 months at room temperature, 18 months in the fridge, and 2 years in the freezer.
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Is it safe to reuse beef tallow? Some people strain beef tallow to re-use after cooking with it. However, don’t reuse beef tallow if you notice any changes to the flavor, scent, or texture.
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Where can I buy beef tallow near me? You can find suet for making beef tallow at many specialty grocery stores, or you can order pre-rendered beef tallow online.
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Does beef tallow always have to be refrigerated? No, beef tallow is shelf stable for up to 12 months at room temperature. However, you can keep it for up to 18 months in the refrigerator.
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What are the best containers for storing beef tallow? Airtight glass mason jars are the best container for beef tallow. Some people also store it in airtight stainless steel containers.
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Is beef tallow healthier than butter? Beef tallow is made up of about 50% saturated fat, while butter is about 57% unsaturated fat. Otherwise, they’re pretty similar—they have about the same amount of calories per serving and both contain vitamins A, D, E, and K. Both tallow and butter should be consumed in moderation.^{[20]
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How long does beef tallow for skin last? As long as it’s stored properly, beef tallow used for moisturizer will last up to 12 months at room temperature, 18 months in the refrigerator, and 24 months in the freezer.
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How do I know if beef tallow has gone bad? If beef tallow spoils, you may notice a rancid smell, visible mold, a change in the color, or a harder texture than usual.