How to make Whipped Tallow Body Butter
How to Make Whipped Tallow Body Butter
Whipped Tallow Body Butter is full of Natural Nutrients. I’m sure you have noticed that Tallow is making a big comeback in the world of natural skincare. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, and deeply moisturizing, tallow mimics the natural oils of our skin. When it’s whipped and infused with soothing herbs and nourishing oils, it becomes a luxurious balm for any skin type, including dry or sensitive skin.
I’m going to walk you down the path of making your own. Of course, you can choose to buy from Tallow Beauty Businesses. But, if you have the time and like to be creative like me, give it a try. It takes practice but it’s fun and so rewarding when you rub it into your skin and end up with soft, smooth, hydrated, glowing skin.
You’ll learn how to make whipped tallow from scratch using the wet rendering process, how to infuse it with chamomile and calendula flowers, and how to finish it off with skin-loving oils like grapeseed, jojoba, lavender, and frankincense essential oils. This recipe is simple, effective, and perfect for DIY skincare lovers.
What You’ll Need to Make Whipped Tallow Body Butter:
Wet Rendering the Tallow:
- Beef suet (preferably grass-fed)
- Large pot or slow cooker
- Water
- Course salt or Pink Himalayan
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass jars for storage
Herbal Infusion:
- Dried chamomile flowers
- Dried calendula flowers
- Grapeseed oil
- Jojoba oil
- Double boiler or slow cooker
- Clean jar for infused tallow
Whipping:
- Lavender essential oil
- Frankincense essential oil
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Sterilized storage jars
Step 1: Wet Rendering the Tallow
Wet rendering is a method of melting down beef suet with water and salt to gently separate the pure fat from impurities. It reduces odor and helps preserve the tallow longer.
Instructions:
- Chop the suet into small pieces. (You can ask your butcher if they can grind the suet to make this easier)
- Place the chopped suet into a large pot / slow cooker
- Add 2-3 cups of water per 1kg of suet, and 1-2 teaspoons of salt per 1kg of suet.
- Heat on low. Keep the temperature steady but not boiling. Between 85°C to 95°C (185°F to 200°F)
- Let it simmer gently for 4–6 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once fully rendered, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth into a heat-proof bowl. Preferably a round metal mixing bowl, these allow flexibility to get the tallow out once its set.
- Put it in the fridge overnight (8-12 hours). The tallow will harden on top and the water will settle at the bottom.
- Remove the solidified tallow and scrape off any residue on the top or bottom.
- Repeat steps 2-8 at least 3-5 times to get the purist form of tallow. It needs to have no more meat residue or impurities on the tallow once its set and the water needs to be clean.
- Once you are happy with the clean, white, pure, tallow. Proceed to dry rendering.
Dry Render Tallow After Wet Rendering
- Cut or break the solid tallow into chunks.
- Place the chunks back in the pot / slow cooker. Heat on Medium — keep it between 95–105°C (203–221°F).
- Do NOT add water this time. Let it melt slowly, stirring occasionally.
- Continue simmering until the bubbling completely stops — this is a sign the water is gone.
- You can strain again through cheesecloth into your mixing bowl
Step 2: Infusing the Tallow with Chamomile and Calendula
Chamomile and calendula are known for their calming, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties. Infusing your tallow with these herbs adds an extra layer of healing power.
Instructions:
- Place your solid tallow back into your pot or slow cooker.
- Start with a 6:1 ratio for carrier oils – so if you have 3 litres of wet tallow add 500mls of jojoba oil, if you have 2 litres of wet tallow add 330mls of jojoba, 1 litre of wet tallow add 167mls of jojoba etc. You can change this if you want different consistencies. Lotion = more carrier oil, Body Butter = less carrier oil
- Add 1–2 heaped tablespoons each of dried chamomile and calendula per litre of tallow
- Heat the mixture gently for 1–2 hours. Keep the temperature low to avoid damaging the beneficial compounds.
- Stir occasionally.
- After the herbs have infused, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the herbs.
- Let the infused tallow cool, until it’s soft but not completely hard. ( counter or fridge )
Step 3: Whipping the Tallow
Now for the fun part! Whipping the tallow gives it a light, fluffy texture that’s easy to apply and feels luxurious on the skin.
Instructions:
- Place the infused, softened tallow into a mixing bowl.
- Add your essential oils – Lavender and Frankincense are great for face and body butter. Now, for body butter and lotion the rule of thumb is 200-400 drops of essential oil per 1 litre of liquid. This seems like a lot but its only 1-2% of the overall product.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the mixture on medium speed for 3-4 minutes then high speed for about 2-3 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and whip again until fluffy, make sure to combine thoroughly.
- Spoon into clean, sterilized jars and seal with lids.
And that’s it, you’re done and it’s ready to use. Apply a small amount to clean skin. A little goes a long way! It melts into the skin beautifully and works wonders on dry hands, elbows, feet and even the face. Making your own whipped tallow is a rewarding and nourishing process. From rendering the fat to infusing it with powerful herbs and oils, every step is filled with intention and care.
This DIY Whipped Tallow Body Butter not only moisturizes deeply but also supports your skin with nature’s best ingredients. Try it out, tweak it with your favorite oils or herbs and enjoy the glow of truly natural skincare! Let us know in the comments which herbs and oils you pick and how well it comes out.
Benefits of this Magical Blend:
- Tallow: Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, deeply nourishing.
- Chamomile & Calendula: Calming, anti-inflammatory, and healing.
- Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight, antioxidant-rich, great for all skin types.
- Jojoba Oil: Balances skin’s natural oils, non-comedogenic.
- Lavender Oil: Soothing, promotes relaxation, skin healing.
- Frankincense Oil: Anti-aging, reduces scars and inflammation.
Storage Tips
Store your whipped tallow in a cool, dry place. It should last 6–12 months, if you don’t use it all up in a month or two. For extended shelf life, keep it in the fridge.
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