What is Beef Tallow?
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
The beef tallow buzz has been palpable on social media in 2025. Users have praised it as both a cooking fat and a skin moisturizer. It’s also an ingredient in some soaps and candles.
Are there evidence-based benefits to using beef tallow in your kitchen and bathroom, or is this just another viral wellness myth? We’re here to help you answer that question.
What is beef tallow made of?
Sometimes known as “beef dripping,” beef tallow is rendered animal fat. This whiteish lard-resembling substance typically surrounds cow kidneys and other organs. Like butter and coconut oil, beef tallow is made mostly of saturated fatty acids, which can contribute to high blood cholesterol levels.
Is beef tallow healthier than seed oils?
Beef tallow may be touted as an alternative to seed oils, but that doesn’t mean it is a healthy alternative.
Seed oils extracted from plants – including canola, corn and soybean oils – have come under fire recently because of their omega-6 fatty acid content. Older, disputed studies have linked omega-6 fatty acids to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can cause disease and chronic conditions. However, omega-6 fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fat that helps the body reduce bad cholesterol, or LDL, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). According to Harvard Health, high consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods containing seed oils are more problematic than the oils themselves.
Beef tallow contains a small amount of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which can provide immune support and boost bone health and cellular function, according to the Mayo Clinic. As is also true with seed oils, the way a product like beef tallow is manufactured and its age can shape its health profile. A new study suggests refining beef tallow through a process called fractionation produces fewer unhealthy frying byproducts, such as trans-fat acid and acrylamide. However, seed oils with a high smoke point are better for overall health than beef tallow.
Beef tallow has high levels of saturated fats. Approximately 50% of the fat found in beef tallow is saturated. Other cooking fats and oils with high saturated fat include coconut oil, which is made of 90% saturated fat, and butter, which is made of roughly 64% saturated fat, according to Harvard Health. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of your daily calories.
The bottom line is saturated fats like beef tallow increases your bad cholesterol and puts you at risk of cardiovascular disease. The small amount of nutrients in beef tallow do not outweigh its potentially harmful effects on the heart. It should be used sparingly and in moderation as a cooking oil. Instead, opt for olive, avocado and seed oils like canola and vegetable.
Olive oil works great for low-temperature cooking methods such as sautéing garlic and as part of salad dressings while avocado and seed oils can hold up better to high temperature methods.
Is beef tallow actually good for skin?
Some schools of thought suggest the fatty acid content in beef tallow allows it to easily absorb into the skin, helping to provide it with a hydrating barrier when layered on your face. Beef tallow also contains antioxidants, like omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. However, moisturizers that are most effective contain a combination of oil and water; beef tallow contains only fat.
Additionally, beef tallow is considered a comedogenic, meaning some who use it may experience clogged pores that can cause acne breakouts. However, more scientific research needs to be done on the product’s comedogenic nature.
While online influencers and others have shared anecdotal stories about beef tallow’s effectiveness as a topical skin product, next to no research supports those claims. A 2024 study on the topic concludes by stating future research needs to be done to analyze beef tallow’s efficacy for skin health. Additionally, beef tallow is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a skincare product. Talk to your dermatologist about which products are better to use.
Read more from AHM:
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- How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?
- Michigan Bucket List: Isle Royale National Park
Photo credit: Getty Images
