Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is beef tallow, and why do you use it?
Beef tallow is pure rendered beef fat. Traditionally, it was a staple cooking fat in many cultures because it is naturally stable at higher heat, rich in energy, and easy to store. Our tallow is made from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef fat and contains only the naturally occurring fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the animal—nothing added, nothing taken away. We use it because it offers a clean, ancestral alternative to heavily processed seed oils in both cooking and skincare.
2. Where does Tallow Gardens tallow come from?
We source our fat from a single, 100% grass-fed, grass-finished farm in Ontario, Canada. The cattle are raised without added hormones or routine antibiotics and finished on pasture, not grain. We don’t claim organic certification or pesticide-free pastures because we only state what we can stand behind with integrity—but we do maintain a direct relationship with our supplier and know exactly where our fat comes from.
3. How is your tallow rendered, and what does “dry rendered” mean?
We use a low-and-slow, dry-rendering process. That means we render the fat gently over time without adding water, then pass it through a triple filtration system to remove impurities and solids. The tallow is rendered in three stages (“tri-rendered”) for optimal clarity and a clean, neutral profile. Because we do not introduce water, there is very little residual moisture in the final product, which greatly reduces the risk of mold and helps keep the tallow stable on the shelf. Every batch goes through an internal three-step quality check before being jarred.
4. Are you inspected and compliant with food safety standards?
Yes. Tallow Gardens operates under MAPAQ-compliant, C1-standard kitchen conditions, and we are fully certified in food safety. We work in small batches with sanitized equipment and controlled temperatures to promote both safety and consistency. Our goal is to respect traditional fats while meeting modern standards of cleanliness and handling.
5. How should I store my tallow, and how long does it last?
For best quality and freshness:
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Shelf storage: Up to 6 months in a cool, dark place, tightly sealed.
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Refrigerated storage: Up to 14 months in the fridge.
We recommend full-time refrigeration if you want the longest, most stable shelf life. Many customers keep an “active” jar on the counter for daily use and store their extra jars in the fridge. Always use a clean, dry spoon or utensil when scooping tallow to avoid introducing moisture or food particles into the jar. If the tallow ever develops an off or rancid smell, discard it.
6. How do I use Tallow Gardens tallow for cooking?
You can use our tallow as a 1:1 replacement for most cooking fats in savoury dishes. Some of our favourite uses include:
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Frying or scrambling eggs
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Searing steaks and other meats
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Crisping potatoes or root vegetables in a pan
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Roasting vegetables in the oven
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Greasing cast-iron pans and adding richness to simple meals
Our tallow has a naturally high heat tolerance and is heat-stable, making it well-suited for pan-frying, sautéing, and roasting. We don’t recommend it as a dressing oil for salads, and it will only suit certain types of pastries and baked goods where a traditional animal fat is desired.
7. Can I mix your tallow with other oils or ingredients?
Yes. Many people enjoy using our raw tallow as a base ingredient. You can melt a small amount gently and blend it with other fats or oils (such as jojoba, olive, or other skin-friendly oils) to create your own custom balms or creams. The same goes for culinary experiments—some home cooks blend tallow with other fats to tailor texture and flavour. Just be sure that any additions are fresh and stored properly, and always label your creations clearly.
8. How do I use your tallow on my skin?
Our products are designed to serve both kitchen and skincare, with specific skincare formulas offered alongside our raw tallow. For the pure tallow itself:
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Warm a small amount between clean fingers.
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Apply a thin layer to dry areas (hands, heels, lips, elbows, etc.).
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For best absorption, use on slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture.
We also offer dedicated skincare products, such as a balm for extremely dry hands and an anti-aging-focused formula, which use tallow as a hero ingredient alongside other supportive components.
9. Is tallow safe for sensitive skin or specific skin conditions?
Many people with sensitive skin appreciate tallow because its fatty acid profile is naturally similar to the oils found in human skin. However, skin is highly individual. Our tallow and skincare products are not medical products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
We recommend:
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Always performing a patch test on a small area first.
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Using only on intact, healthy skin.
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Discontinuing use and consulting a qualified health professional if irritation, redness, or discomfort occurs.
You can certainly include tallow as part of your personal routine for various skin concerns, but it should not replace professional medical advice or treatment.
10. Who should avoid your products?
Our products are not suitable for anyone with a known beef allergy or sensitivity.
If you suspect you may be allergic to beef or bovine-derived ingredients, do not use our tallow or tallow-based skincare, and seek guidance from a healthcare professional if you have questions about your specific situation.
11. What makes Tallow Gardens different from other tallow brands?
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Single-source, Canadian fat: All of our fat comes from a single, 100% grass-fed, grass-finished farm in Ontario.
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Dry, tri-rendered, triple-filtered: Our method focuses on low heat, no added water, and thorough filtration for clean flavour, smooth texture, and reduced moisture.
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MAPAQ-compliant handling: We operate under C1 conditions with full food safety certification.
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Focused product line: We specialize in pure tallow and simple, tallow-based skincare, rather than a long list of complex formulations.
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Faith-based, integrity-driven: We aim to honour God in how we source, produce, and communicate—prioritizing honesty, stewardship, and service over hype.
A core promise we stand by:
No seed oils, no unnecessary additives, and no hidden ingredients—ever.
12. Where do you ship, and how does local delivery work?
We currently ship throughout all of Canada. Shipping options and rates are shown at checkout based on your address.
For customers in our local delivery area, we offer Sunday deliveries:
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At checkout, you can choose which Sunday you’d like your order delivered.
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You’ll also be able to select a time slot that works best for you.
We handle these deliveries ourselves so your tallow arrives safely and promptly.
13. What is your return and refund policy?
Because our products are food and skincare items, we handle returns with both safety and fairness in mind.
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Raw Beef Tallow (food product)
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We can usually accept returns of unopened, unused jars reported within a short window after delivery (for example, 7–14 days), provided the product has been stored appropriately.
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We cannot restock or resell opened food jars, but if there is a clear issue with quality, damage in transit, or a mistake on our end, we will work with you to make it right—this may include a replacement or refund, at our discretion.
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Skincare Products
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Unopened skincare items may typically be returned within a reasonable period after delivery if they are unused and in original condition.
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For opened products, we generally do not accept returns for reasons of personal preference alone; however, if you experience a suspected quality issue or reaction, please contact us so we can review the situation with you.
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For any leaked, broken, or damaged jars (food or skincare), please contact us as soon as possible with your order details and, if possible, photos of the damage. We’ll assess the situation and arrange a replacement or refund where appropriate.
14. What are the values behind Tallow Gardens?
Tallow Gardens exists to:
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Help people move away from industrial seed oils and back toward ancestral, nutrient-dense fats.
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Offer products with short, honest ingredient lists that support cleaner eating and simpler skincare.
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Operate as a faith-based business, seeking to reflect the love of Christ in how we source, produce, serve, and communicate—with integrity, humility, and care.
Our ongoing promise is simple but non-negotiable:
We will never dilute our products with seed oils or unnecessary additives, and we will always be transparent about what goes into every jar.