Once a staple in your grandparent’s or great-grandparent’s savory roasts, buttery-flaky pastries and greasing pans, beef tallow is making an unexpected return to households — marketed as a wellness superstar.

What is beef tallow?

Tallow is a whiteish substance that is solid at room temperature. It’s made by removing, simmering and clarifying the fatty tissue that surrounds the organs of ruminant animals. Ruminant animals chew their cud and include cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats and deer. Beef tallow is commonly made from cows and is sometimes called “beef drippings.”

Beef tallow is typically used for cooking at high temperatures such as deep frying and roasting. Tallow also has many nonfood uses and can be an ingredient in candles, soaps and topical skincare — it can even be used to season cast-iron pans.

Tallow shares many similarities with lard. But lard is sourced from pigs and has a softer texture and milder flavor, which makes it a preferred choice for baked goods.

What kind of fat is in beef tallow?

What sets beef tallow apart from other cooking fats — and has it currently trending in the wellness community — is its unique fat profile.

Like other solid cooking fats such as butter and coconut oil, beef tallow is made up primarily of saturated fat. Liquid fats such as olive oil, peanut oil and canola oil are primarily unsaturated fats.

While saturated fats have been demonized in the past, eating certain kinds or small amounts might not be as harmful as previously thought. In tallow, some of the saturated fat is a specific type known as stearic acid. Stearic acid appears to not raise cholesterol in the same way as other saturated fats.

Tallow also contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthier. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is one polyunsaturated omega-6 fat found in animal fats and linked to potential health benefits such as preventing plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis). However, more research is needed about the effects of conjugated linoleic acid.

In addition to fat, beef tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins that are vital for various bodily functions, including immune support, bone health, cellular function and skin health. Animal varities that are 100% grass fed will provide a more expensive nutrient profile.

What are other uses for beef tallow?

Beef tallow also is regaining popularity for its versatility; in addition to being used in cooking, it also can be used on your skin!

Since the composition of beef tallow is similar to natural oils produced by skin, it can be used as a moisturizer and is gentle on sensitive skin. CLA has anti-inflammatory benefits that help lock in moisture and reduce oxidation, which, along with the fat-soluble vitamins in beef tallow, may improve skin’s elasticity and overall healthy appearance when applied topically.

Adding a high-quality beef tallow to your diet or skincare routine has potential benefits to the inside and outside of your body. However, high intake of saturated fats is still linked to poor heart health, such as risk of heart and blood vessel disease, so it is best to use sparingly as a cooking oil.

If you have conditions that warrant a fat restricted diet or specific skin conditions or allergies, always consult your healthcare team to make sure this new trend works for your specific needs.