If you’ve ever tried to make tallow skincare at home, you’ve probably realized…most recipes leave out the details that actually matter.
So today, I’m giving you a simple, step-by-step tallow recipe you can confidently follow, from raw suet to a beautiful whipped balm.
This is the exact foundation we teach inside our community, simple, effective, and rooted in tradition.
🌿 Why Tallow?
Tallow is one of the most nourishing ingredients you can put on your skin.
When sourced from grass-fed, grass-finished suet, it’s rich in:
• Vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Fatty acids that support the skin barrier
• Deep, lasting hydration without synthetic fillers
But the magic is in how you prepare it.
🧈 Step 1: Start with Quality Suet
Begin with:
1 lb grass-fed, grass-finished suet
Suet (the fat around the kidneys) is the most nutrient-dense and stable fat for skincare.
🔥 Step 2: First Render
• Place suet in a crockpot on low heat
• Let it slowly render for 5–6 hours until fully melted
• Scoop out any meat byproduct and discard
This slow process protects the nutrients and prevents burning.
🧼 Step 3: Strain & Purify
• Strain through a cheesecloth (or paper towels)
• Pour liquid tallow into a bowl
• Place in the fridge overnight
The next morning:
• Remove the solid tallow
• Scrape impurities from the bottom until clean
🔁 Step 4: Second Render (This is the Secret)
• Place cleaned tallow back into crockpot
• Heat on low for 4 hours
• Strain again
• Refrigerate overnight again
This second render is what gives you that clean, smooth, high-quality tallow.
🌼 Optional Step: Herbal Infusion
If you want to elevate your balm:
• Add clean tallow back into crockpot
• Add 1/4 cup dried organic herbs
(lavender, chamomile, calendula are my favorites)
• Infuse on low heat for 1–2 hours
⚠️ Keep heat LOW—burning herbs will ruin your batch.
Then strain thoroughly.
🧴 Step 5: Create Your Balm
To your melted tallow, add:
• 1/4 cup carrier oil- (jojoba, squalane, olive oil, or castor oil)
• 25 drops essential oils (optional)
Mix well.
❄️ Step 6: Cool + Whip
• Place mixture in fridge for ~30 minutes
• Wait until the top is just firm
Then:
• Remove and whip with a hand mixer
• Whip until light, fluffy, and fully cooled
(think whipped cream texture)
🫙 Step 7: Store Properly
• Transfer to a sterilized jar
• Store in a cool, dark place
And that’s it, you’ve made your own whipped tallow balm 🤍
✨ Final Thoughts
Tallow skincare doesn’t have to be complicated.
When you:
• Use high-quality ingredients
• Take your time with rendering
• Keep your process clean and intentional
You end up with something truly nourishing for your skin.
This is skincare the way it was meant to be,
simple, effective, and rooted in nature.