Last updated: October 11, 2026. Information checked at the time of writing.
Short answer: suet is the raw, hard fat from around a cow’s kidneys and loins; tallow is beef fat that has been rendered, meaning melted, strained and set. Most good tallow is made from suet. Use raw suet in traditional British puddings and dumplings and in bird feeders; use tallow for frying, roasting, searing and pastry.
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Side by side
| Suet | Tallow | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Raw hard fat from around the kidneys and loins | Rendered beef fat, usually made from suet |
| Texture | Crumbly, firm, with bits of membrane | Smooth, creamy white when set |
| Shelf life | Days in the fridge, months frozen | Months in the fridge, a year frozen |
| Best for | Steamed puddings, dumplings, mincemeat, bird feeders | Frying, roasting, searing, pastry, pemmican |
| Flavour | Mild, beefy when cooked | Clean and mild if rendered well |
How to turn suet into tallow
Cube or grind cold suet, melt it slowly over very low heat for two to three hours, strain it through cheesecloth and let it set. Our step-by-step guide covers the wet and dry methods: how to render beef tallow at home.
Use it: beef tallow fries, tallow roast potatoes and suet cakes for winter birds. Compare brands: the best beef tallow in Canada.
FAQ
Is suet the same as tallow?
No. Suet is the raw fat; tallow is suet (or other beef fat) after it has been rendered and strained.
Can I use tallow instead of suet?
For frying and pastry, yes. For traditional steamed puddings that rely on grated raw suet, the texture will differ.
Where do I get suet in Canada?
Ask a butcher for beef kidney fat; it is usually inexpensive.
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Written by the team at Rise Nutrition, Toronto, Canada’s single-ingredient ancestral nutrition brand. Questions: ray@risenutritions.ca
From Rise Nutrition
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Beef tallow from grass-fed Canadian cattle. Ships from Canada · Free shipping over $45 · 30-day money-back.
★★★★★ 4.8 from 52 reviews
