Calories in Beef Tallow: Full Nutrition Breakdown

Beef tallow is rendered fat from cattle, traditionally used for frying, roasting, and pastry making. One tablespoon contains about 115 calories, all from fat, with a profile that is roughly split between saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Beef tallow has seen a resurgence in popularity among home cooks and restaurants due to its high smoke point, long shelf life, and rich flavor.

Calories by serving size:

Beef tallow is a source of fat-soluble vitamins, particularly small amounts of vitamin D and vitamin E. It is also notable for its high stearic acid content, a saturated fatty acid that research suggests has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels compared to other saturated fats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in a tablespoon of beef tallow?

One tablespoon of beef tallow (about 12.8 grams) contains approximately 115 calories. All of those calories come from fat, with 12.8 grams of total fat, of which about 6.4 grams are saturated and 5.4 grams are monounsaturated.

Why has beef tallow made a comeback in cooking?

Beef tallow has regained popularity as attitudes toward saturated fat have become more nuanced, and as interest in traditional and nose-to-tail cooking has grown. Many chefs and home cooks prize tallow for its flavor, high smoke point of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius), and stability for deep frying. It was historically the standard frying fat for fast-food french fries before being replaced by vegetable oils in the 1990s.

What is stearic acid and why does it matter?

Stearic acid is one of the primary saturated fatty acids in beef tallow, making up roughly 25-30% of its total fat. Unlike other saturated fats such as palmitic acid, stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect on LDL cholesterol levels because the body efficiently converts it to oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat. This is one reason some researchers view beef tallow as a more favorable saturated fat source.

Is beef tallow good for deep frying?

Beef tallow is considered excellent for deep frying. Its high smoke point of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit makes it stable at high temperatures, and its saturated fat content means it is resistant to oxidation and breakdown during prolonged cooking. Foods fried in tallow tend to develop a crisp exterior and rich, savory flavor.

How does beef tallow compare to butter nutritionally?

Beef tallow is slightly higher in calories per tablespoon than butter (115 vs. 102) because it is pure rendered fat with no water content, while butter is about 80% fat and 16-18% water. Tallow has less saturated fat per gram than butter, a higher proportion of monounsaturated fat, and less cholesterol per serving. However, butter provides more vitamin A and has a more versatile culinary profile.