Tallow and It’s Benefits
At JJ Bison, we understand that you value using high-quality, all-natural ingredients. That's why we offer bison fat, a versatile product that can be rendered into tallow. When solid, tallow is a white fat derived from the fatty tissues and rendered from animal fats like bison. It has a variety of culinary and home uses, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen and can be stored anywhere from the fridge, to your counter top.
In this blog post, we'll guide you through the simple process of rendering bison fat into tallow.
Homesteading and the Allure of Tallow
Rendering your own tallow can not only save you money from buying expensive oil and is healthier than seed oils you see in super markets, but connects you to a time-honored tradition of homesteading and self-sufficiency. Our ancestors relied on every part of the animal, and rendering fat into tallow was a crucial skill for preserving resources and ensuring a sustainable food supply.
By making your own tallow, you're not only reducing waste but also embracing a more sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Why Choose Bison Fat?
Bison is a leaner and healthier alternative to beef. Bison meat is lower in fat and cholesterol while being higher in protein and iron. Similarly, bison fat offers a healthier alternative to beef tallow. It contains fewer saturated fats and more heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Storing Your Bison Tallow
Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality and longevity of your rendered tallow.
Refrigeration: Storing tallow in the refrigerator will keep it firm, similar to butter.
Countertop Storage: If you prefer, you can store tallow on the countertop, much like butter. It will soften slightly at room temperature, making it easier to spread or melt. However, keep in mind that it will change firmness based on the ambient temperature.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Never store tallow in direct sunlight or near heat sources. This can cause it to become rancid and spoil because UV rays can break down fats. Additionally, if on the countertop we recommend non-clear jars.
Airtight Containers: Always store your tallow in airtight containers to prevent it from absorbing odors from other foods and to maintain its freshness. Mason jars are an excellent option for storing tallow.
With proper storage, your rendered bison tallow can last for many months, providing a valuable and versatile ingredient for kitchen and family.
What You'll Need:
Bison fat (available from JJ Bison!)
Large pot, Dutch oven, or slow cooker (we used a slow cooker)
Sharp knife
Slotted spoon or ladle
Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
Bowl
Heat-resistant containers (mason jars work well)
The Rendering Process
Here is a step by step guide for rendering your fat to tallow:
Using the bison fat, cut it into small chunks and add it to your slow cooker. The smaller the pieces, the faster the fat will render. (Note that the knife is going to get slippery, so be careful!)
Once added, simply turn the slow cooker to low and let it sit for 4-6 hours. Avoid letting the liquid boil. You’ll start to notice everything clear except some odd prices at the bottom - those are the pieces we’ll be scooping out and are meat attached to the fat that is getting cooked.
After your fat is rendered, scoop out the brown, crispy meat with a slotted spoon (and save for stews if desired!)
Turn off the heat, and once cooled (but not solidified) strain the fat into a cheese cloth over a large bowl.
Repeat if necessary.
Optional - add water to your bowl then put in your refrigerator. The water will sink to the bottom and the impurities will be obvious. You can scrape off the impurities and dump the water out then re-render in your slowcooker and restrain with a cheese cloth for the most refined tallow.
Pour into containers and enjoy!
Tips
We definitely underestimated how slippery the knife would be, so be careful! Some people use a food processor to cut it up smaller, but we did not and saved dishes.
If using the water process, make sure to remove all water, however, otherwise you risk leaving moisture in the jar which can cause mold.
We used 50 grade and doubled it.
Our render took about 3 hours, but it depends on how small your pieces are.
Note that tallow does solidify quickly in the cold water, so be careful around your kitchen pipes and clean accordingly.
We rendered about 5lbs of fat and gained about 3lbs of tallow, so plan your storage to keep around 50-70%. How much you strain the impurities will impact how much you tallow you retain.
By rendering your own bison fat into tallow, you're not only creating a useful and cost-effective product that is healthier than seed oils, but also tapping into a tradition of self-sufficiency and natural living. You're choosing a healthier alternative to beef tallow and embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.
Visit JJ Bison Today!
Looking for high-quality bison fat to render your own tallow? Look no further than JJ Bison! We offer a variety of bison products, including fat perfect for tallow rendering. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more!