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Pale ivory beef fat sits in irregular, firm chunks with a smooth, slightly waxy surface on a plain plate.
●Low GI

Beef Fat Calories

Animal fat, high energy, source of saturated fat

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

897kcal

GI

0low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

5mg

FIBER · 100 G

0g

Quick answer

1 tablespoon (medium) of Beef Fat (13 g) has 117 calories. That works out to 897 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 0 g of protein, 13 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Beef Fat Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 13 g

117

KCAL / 13G

Carbs

0g

· 0% DV

Protein

0g

· 0% DV

Fat

13g

· 17% DV

Fiber

0g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 0% · Fat 100%

Beef Fat nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (13 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories117 kcal
Total fat13 g17%
Saturated fat6.5 g33%
Trans fat0.26 g
Sodium0.26 mg0%
Total carbohydrate0 g0%
Fiber0 g0%
Protein0 g0%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Beef Fat?

ServingAmountCalories
1 tablespoon (medium)13 g117 kcal
1 g1 g9 kcal
1 teaspoon (small)4 g36 kcal
1 slice (thin)15 g135 kcal
1 serving (medium)20 g179 kcal
1 piece (medium)30 g269 kcal
1 slice (thick)30 g269 kcal
100 g100 g897 kcal
1 pack (medium)100 g897 kcal
1 cup (large)220 g1973 kcal

Calculated from 897 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Fat

What is beef fat called when it has been rendered?

Rendered beef fat is usually called beef tallow. Suet refers more specifically to the firm fat around a cow’s kidneys, while “beef fat” can also mean unrendered fat trimmed from other parts of the animal.

How do you render beef fat into tallow?

Cut the beef fat into small pieces and warm it slowly in a heavy pan over low heat. Stir occasionally, then strain the liquid fat through a fine sieve into a clean, dry container once the solids have shrunk and browned.

Which beef fat is best for making tallow: suet or trimmings?

Suet, the firm fat around the kidneys, is a popular choice for making tallow because it has a relatively mild flavor. Fat trimmings also work, but the finished tallow may taste stronger depending on where the fat came from.

Can beef fat replace butter in pastry?

Sometimes, but beef fat does not behave or taste exactly like butter. It contains no water or milk solids, so pastry may be less tender and lack buttery flavor. Use it in a recipe designed for tallow or replace only part of the butter.

Is beef fat suitable for deep-frying?

Yes, rendered beef fat can be used for deep-frying and gives food a savory flavor. Heat it gradually and avoid letting it smoke. Strain out food particles after frying, since leftover crumbs can make the fat deteriorate faster.

How should raw beef fat trimmings be stored before rendering?

Keep raw beef fat trimmings covered in the refrigerator and render them promptly. If you are not ready to use them, freeze them in a sealed, portion-sized package; smaller pieces are easier to render after thawing.

Does rendered beef fat need to be refrigerated?

Refrigeration is the safest everyday choice for rendered beef fat, especially if it may contain traces of moisture or food particles. Store it in a clean, airtight container; freezing is a good option for longer storage.

What does rancid beef fat smell like?

Rancid beef fat may smell sour, musty, or like old paint rather than having a mild meaty aroma. Discard it if the smell, color, or texture seems off, and do not taste it to check whether it is safe.

Can you reuse beef fat after frying?

Yes, beef fat can often be reused if it was not overheated and the fried food did not leave burnt crumbs behind. Let it cool, strain it, and store it covered; discard it if it smokes unusually or develops an unpleasant odor.

Is beef fat healthier than vegetable oil?

Not generally: beef fat is rich in saturated fat, while many common vegetable oils provide more unsaturated fat. For regular cooking, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated oils can help lower LDL cholesterol.

Beef Fat Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.03µg · 1% DV

Vitamin D

0.13µg · 1% DV

Vitamin E

0.07mg · 0% DV

Vitamin K

0.39µg · 0% DV

Minerals

Copper

0mg · 0% DV

Selenium

0.07µg · 0% DV

Iron

0.01mg · 0% DV

Manganese

0mg · 0% DV

Potassium ⭐

0.65mg · 0% DV

Sodium

0.26mg · 0% DV

Beef Fat Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

0
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Beef Fat

To burn the 117 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (13 g):

🚶

29min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

12min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

16min

Cycling

🏊

14min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Beef Fat?

Beef Fat comes from the fatty tissue of cattle and is often rendered into a cooking fat known as tallow. It has a rich, savoury flavour and a firm texture when cool, becoming liquid when heated. It can be used for frying, roasting potatoes, or adding depth to stews and other hearty dishes. In parts of the world where tallow is traditional, it remains a useful alternative to liquid cooking oils; elsewhere, it is more often found in particular recipes or specialty cooking.

It is almost entirely fat and very energy-dense: 100 g provides 897 calories. Use a modest amount for flavour, especially alongside meat or root vegetables, and balance it with lighter ingredients if you want a less rich meal.

How Nutritious Is Beef Fat?

Nutrient density

Low

10/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Low

0/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Beef Fat Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Beef Fat Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Beef Fat Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Beef Fat Fat Profile

SATURATED

6.5g

MONOUNSATURATED

5.46g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.52g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 1.3:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Beef Fat

🥩vs🧈
Beef Fat vs Butter180 kcal more per 100 g
→
🥩vs🫒
Beef Fat vs Olive oil13 kcal more per 100 g
→
🥩vs💊
Beef Fat vs Fish Oil Capsule3 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🥩vs🥥
Beef Fat vs Coconut oil35 kcal more per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Beef Fat

🧈

Butter

717 kcal

🫒

Olive oil

884 kcal

💊

Fish Oil Capsule

900 kcal

🥥

Coconut oil

862 kcal

🥥

Coconut milk

230 kcal

🌻🛢️

Sunflower Oil

884 kcal

🛢️

Oil

884 kcal

🛢️

MCT Oil

860 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.