Do you know the difference between Tallow and Suet? These traditional cooking fats that are naturally high in nutrients are making a coming back.
Some modern diets, like the Carnivore, Paleo, AIP, and Ketogenic Diets, are high in fat, low in carbs, and low in inflammation. This beef fat has become very popular, but there is still some confusion about the difference between Suet and Tallow. In this article we explain:
The tough, fatty part of the cow that goes around the kidneys and loins is called beef suet. Beef Suet has a white appearance, slightly crumbly, and almost dry to the touch. Suet has a melting point of between 113 °F (45 °C) and 122 °F (50 °C).
Suet’s high smoke point makes it the best beef fat for stable frying. It was also traditionally used to make rich desserts like pies, puddings, and pastries.
Tallow is the rendered or melted down version of suet. Make your own tallow at home. It’s a clean, healthy animal fat that you can use to cook, baste, sauté, deep fry, or even spread like butter. A few generations ago, before the current obesity and diabetes epidemic, people cooked with beef tallow, which is made from rendered suet.
Beef tallow not only has a high smoke point and a long shelf life at room temperature, but it also makes sure that we use the whole animal in our cooking, which is something our ancestors knew was important and something we’re learning again today with nose to tail eating.
Beef fat is a versatile ingredient used in many cuisines From adding richness and texture to savory dishes to creating flaky pastries, beef fat imparts delicious flavor However, like any animal-based product, beef fat is perishable and has a limited shelf life. Proper storage is key to keeping beef fat fresh. So how long does beef fat last in the fridge?
An Overview of Beef Fat Storage
In general, raw beef fat will last 3-4 months in the refrigerator and 6-12 months in the freezer. However, maximum shelf life depends on several factors:
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Type of beef fat: Suet (fat around the kidneys) deteriorates faster than hard fat from other areas.
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Packaging Beef fat sealed in an airtight container lasts longer than loose pieces
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Freshness: Fresher beef fat at the start keeps longer.
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Storage temperature: Storing at a consistent 32-40°F extends shelf life.
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Freezer temperature: Colder freezers (-10°F or below) preserve beef fat longer.
Follow proper storage methods and consume beef fat within recommended time limits for best quality and food safety.
Refrigerator Storage Timeline
Under ideal conditions, raw beef fat will maintain best quality for:
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1-2 weeks in the refrigerator section
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3-4 months in the refrigerator door
The refrigerator door is warmer, so beef fat won’t last as long. For maximum freshness, keep all meat products in the coldest part of the fridge.
After opening a package, rewrap beef fat tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Exposure to air speeds up spoilage.
Freezer Storage Timeline
For longest shelf life, freeze excess beef fat. Kept at 0°F or below, beef fat will last:
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6-12 months in a manual defrost freezer
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12 months in a self-defrosting freezer
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24 months in a deep freezer (-10°F or below)
Wrap beef fat in freezer-safe plastic bags, butcher paper, or aluminum foil. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
How To Tell If Beef Fat Has Gone Bad
Beef fat is perishable and will eventually spoil. Here are signs it’s time to throw it out:
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Odd or sour smell
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Change in color – grayish, greenish, or brownish tinge
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Mold growth – fuzzy spots or dry powder-like substance
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Slimy texture
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Rancid taste
When inspecting beef fat, it should have a bright white color and mild beefy smell. Discard immediately if you notice any spoilage.
Safety Tips For Storing Beef Fat
Follow these tips for safe handling and storage:
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Refrigerate beef fat within 2 hours of purchasing.
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Freeze beef fat if not using within 3-4 days.
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Marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
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Avoid cross-contaminating beef fat with ready-to-eat foods.
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Thaw frozen beef fat in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
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Use defrosted beef fat within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze.
The Shelf Life of Different Types of Beef Fat
Not all beef fats are created equal when it comes to shelf life. Here is how long different varieties last in the fridge:
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Raw suet: 1-2 months
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Raw fat trimmings: 3-4 months
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Raw tallow: 6 months
Suet, the hard fat around the kidneys, is very perishable. Fat trimmings from other areas like chuck or brisket last a little longer. Beef tallow rendered into a solid form keeps the longest.
How To Extend the Shelf Life
You can extend the shelf life of beef fat with proper storage techniques:
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Keep beef fat as cold as possible – 32-40°F is ideal.
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Seal tightly in an airtight container, plastic wrap, or freezer bag.
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Add marinades and rubs just before cooking, rather than marinating overnight.
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Purchase beef fat in smaller quantities to use promptly.
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Monitor fridge and freezer temperatures with a thermometer.
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Keep the fridge clean and wipe up spills immediately to avoid cross-contamination.
Signs Beef Fat Has Gone Bad
Beef fat that has gone bad will have obvious signs of spoilage. Look for:
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Slimy texture and pinkish color
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Rancid smell
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Mold growth – dry, fuzzy, or greenish spots
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Discoloration – gray, brown, or green tint
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Sour odor
If you notice any of these, play it safe and discard the beef fat. It’s not worth risking foodborne illness.
Beef Fat Storage Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about storing beef fat:
Can you freeze beef fat? Yes, freezing extends the shelf life significantly. Wrap well and freeze at 0°F or below.
How long does rendered beef fat last? Rendered tallow keeps for up to a year in the fridge and up to 3 years in the freezer.
Can you freeze suet? Yes. Freeze suet within 2 months for up to 6-12 months.
Can you refreeze beef fat? It’s best not to refreeze thawed beef fat more than once. Refreezing decreases quality.
How long does beef fat last sealed? Beef fat in an airtight container or plastic wrap lasts 2-3 times longer than loose pieces.
The Takeaway
Getting the most out of your beef fat comes down to proper storage. Keep it chilled at 32-40°F, wrap tightly, use within recommended time frames, and freeze for long-term storage. With the right techniques, you can enjoy the delicious flavors and versatility of beef fat for months to come. Monitor for signs of spoilage and discard once it begins to smell or look off. Following these beef fat fridge storage guidelines will keep you safely cooking and baking with this flavorful animal fat.
WHERE TO BUY SUET?
To ensure the highest quality and purity, we suggest you buy suet:
- From a reputable certified organic beef farm whose grass-fed status has been confirmed by a third party.
- A butcher in the area who sells Certified Organic Grass-fed Beef
- From 2021 on, TruBeef will let you buy Organic Grass-fed Suet and have it sent to your home.
Try Our Organic Grass-fed Beef Suet.
Delivery to all lower 48 States
How to Make Tallow from Suet?
Just Render Down!
- Empty the suet into a large skillet or cooking pot.
- Simmer on low heat for an hour, or until all the meat pieces in the suet start to turn crispy and the rest of the suet has turned into a liquid fat. These bits of meat are called ‘suet crackling’.
- Take the suet cracklings out of the melted fat and eat them as a snack or as part of any meal where you want to add tasty fats.
- The rest of the rendered fat that is liquid from the suet is called tallow.
- Once the rendered tallow has cooled a bit, pour it through a fine sieve into airtight jars. You can store your grass-fed tallow at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, where it will solidify and be ready to use for cooking or frying in the future.
How To Render Beef Fat – Beef Tallow
FAQ
How long does refrigerated fat last?
Does beef fat go bad?
How long will fat back last in the refrigerator?
How long does beef fat last in the fridge reddit?
How long does beef last in the fridge?
Storing beef correctly can significantly extend its shelf life. For optimal freshness, beef should be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F (4.4°C) and used within 3 to 5 days; ground beef and variety meats have a shorter window of 1 to 2 days. Packaging beef in air-tight containers or vacuum-sealed bags helps prevent spoiling and bacterial growth.
What are the benefits of having beef?
Beef is an excellent source of protein having 26 grams per 100 grams of serve. Besides, it is rich in vitamin B-12, B-6 and iron. Consumption of beef must be encouraged to meet the protein requirements and overcome nutritional deficiencies like protein-energy deficiency, nutritional deficiency anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia etc. However, beef has high amounts of saturated fats which are potentially capable of elevating the bad cholesterol in the body. Thus, its consumption should be restricted to only once or twice a week and the maximum serving per person should not increase 50 grams.
How long should beef be stored?
To prevent spoilage: Store beef at 0°F (-18°C) or lower to inhibit bacterial growth. Consume beef within recommended storage times: Steaks (6-12 months), Roasts (4-12 months), Chops (4-6 months), and Ground beef (3-4 months).
How long can beef be frozen?
Ground beef and variety meats such as liver, kidneys, tripe, sweetbreads, or tongue should be used within 1 to 2 days from refrigeration, whereas steaks and roasts can be safely stored for 3 to 5 days. For long-term storage, beef should be frozen at 0°F (-17.8°C).