Should You Cook With Beef Tallow? Here’s What A Dietitian Has to Say
If you are on social media in nutrition recently, you are likely to have seen influential people claiming that seed oils are bad for you and that beef fat is better. They say The seed oils are infections and toxic. but Science suggests Most of these claims may be greatly exaggerated.
However, all people have worked around seed oils (and many of their followers online) turns into other sources of fat for cooking – one of the most popular alternatives is the beef fat.
Protectors ’claim Cowa fat is anti -inflammatory and does not raise cholesterol. If this is not completely true for you, you are not alone. Many people still remember when fast food restaurants stopped using beef fat in the nineties in response to health preachers who wanted to stop high heart disease (15).
But the wave of public opinion has turned, and now many people believe that the fat of beef is actually beneficial to you. Is there any truth of this, or is this just a healthy innovation? We moved to real experts – nutritionists – to find out.
So, what is beef fat anyway?
Beef beef is a form of solid beef fat at room temperature. Like butter and grease, they are saturated fats in the first place. It is made by removing the fat tissue of the cows, clarifying and clarifying them1).
Cow fat has a high smoke point (1), Which makes it effective for high -temperature cooking methods such as:
- Frying
- Deep frying
- roasting
- Barbecue
- Sales

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Pros and negatives of beef fat
Cow meat may have some possible health benefits, but these risks must be balanced, especially with regard to heart health. “We have no good research on beef fat and its effect on humans,” says Emily Sullivan, a nutritionist registered at myfitnessPal.
Possible beef benefits
Cow fat contains Steric acidAnd there is some research that indicates that Steric acid may have it The effect of lowering cholesterol ((2). However, Sullivan says more research on this topic is needed to confirm this claim.
“Beef lard does not contain small amounts of Vitamins“It is not a large amount of 1 tablespoon of 1 tablespoon,” says Sullivan.
In addition, beef fat is a source Compatible linoleic acidIt is a form of unsaturated fat It may reduce inflammation ((3). Sullivan says that most research on the benefits of the associated linoleic acid has been conducted on animals in a laboratory environment, so it is necessary to search for humans before we say it reduces inflammation in people.
In general, although there may be some benefits for cooking using beef fat, most of these benefits are not fully supported by science and seem to be relatively important in small quantities.
About experts
Emily Sullivan, Street He is the food data coordinator in myfitnessPal. She obtained a bachelor’s degree and completed her training at Ohio State University, and she got the degree of cooking arts from Johnson University and Wales University.
Melissa Jaeger RD, LD He is the head of nutrition for myfitnessPal. Melissa obtained a Bachelor of Literature in Nutrition (DPD) from St. Benedict College and completed her training at Iowa State University. In May 2024, it was recognized as a young dietitian who is granted by the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Nutrition.
Stephanie Salita, MS, RD It is the world of diet in myfitnessPal. Stephanie obtained a master’s degree in nutrition from San Diego State University. It has experience in nutrition research, the development of obesity and treatment prevention program.
Disadvantages of beef fat
Cow larger is High in saturated fatAnd there is an overwhelming group of scientific research that shows that saturated fats Increases LDL cholesterol (This is “bad” cholesterol) – There are saturated fats It increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)Or the risk of heart disease (4). “There is good evidence indicating that switching saturated fats of unsaturated fats, including cooking oils, reduces LDL cholesterol and benefits heart health,” says Stephanie Salita, MS, RD, the main nutritionist in MyfitnessPal.16).
100 grams of beef fat contains 50 grams of saturated fat (5). The US Department of Agriculture recommends to keep saturated fat consumption of no more than 10 % calories per day (6) And the American Heart Association recommends you by 6 % (4).
So, if you are following the recommendations of the US Department of Agriculture, this is about 22 g of saturated fats daily if you eat about 2000 calories a day. If you are following the instructions of the American Heart Association, you will need to maintain the total saturated fat up to less – 13 grams per day for those 2000 calories per day.
Consider only 1 tablespoon of beef fat contains 6 grams of saturated fat. We all know that when cooking, you can add the amount you use quickly. Since you want to reduce the eating of saturated fats and many common foods already contain saturated fats, it may be good to avoid additional sources of saturated fats such as beef fat.
“Not only can saturated fat fines can add quickly, but it can add total calories from fat. Fat contains 9 calories/grams – more than protein or carbohydrates. Record your meals – including your cooking oils – in myfitnessPal can help you see how your calories accumulate while staying on the right path with your health goals.” Melissa Jayger, RD, LD, and MyfitnessPal, the chief nutrition.

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Thorc meat against other fats
We have proven that beef is high in saturated fat – 50 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams. But how do you compare seed oils and other animal fats?
For every 100 grams, here is the amount of saturated fats for each of these seed oils and animal fats:
Here is the amount of saturated fats in 100 grams of other common cooking fats:
- Olive oil: 16 g (9))
- Canola oil: 7 grams (7))
- Avocado oil: 12 g (8))
- Lamb: 39 g (10))
- Butter: 46 g (11))
Cow meat has more saturated fats than all of these, even butter.
Related questions (common questions)
Does the beef fat affect the flavor of food?
Yes, given that the beef fat is a form of beef fat, it contains a delicious and delicious flavor.
How long does the fat continue at room temperature?
Cow beef can be stored at room temperature for up to a year (13).
Should I cool the fat beef?
You can use unforgiving beef fat, and lasts for 6 to 12 months (13). You may need to melt the fat of beef if cooling, though.
Can beef can be used as a substitute for butter or oil in bread?
Beef lard can be used as a substitute for bread, but its delicious flavor file may make it more suitable for delicious baked goods. “It is important to note that beef fat contains a higher amount of saturated fat of butter and oil that should be taken into account if this swap is made in the recipe,” says Sullivan.
Is cow meat expensive fat?
The fat price can vary from beef based on the brand and quality, but in general, it is more expensive than vegetable and seeds.
Is cow meat only pork?
Cow fat is made of beef fat, while the grease is made of pork fat. The fat has a light and neutral flavor that makes it better for bread.
Is cow meat a bad fat for cholesterol?
Cow meat has high amounts of saturated fat. Research indicates that saturated fat increases “bad” cholesterol – so yes, beef may be bad for cholesterol.
The bottom line
Most people must no Sullivan says that replacing vegetables/seeds with beef due to its high concentration of saturated fat. Eating a small amount of saturated fat can be part of a diet, but it is still recommended to use unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils as a basic source of fat for cooking (14).
“More research is needed on cow meat fat and all the claims that are made about it, so I do not recommend using it instead of other fats at this time,” says Sullivan.
Pamphlet Should you cook with beef fat? This is what the dietitian says First appear on MyfitnessPal Blog.
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2025-07-18 13:00:00