<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>236</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>351</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>77</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003001 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndNatureOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimates</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - REVENUES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/Revenues</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/AccountsReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrants</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - LEASES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreement</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimatesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimatesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimates</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - REVENUES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/RevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/Revenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/AccountsReceivable</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrantsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrants</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SegmentReporting</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - LEASES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreement</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimatesSummaryOfCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimatesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SummaryOfCriticalAccountingPoliciesAndEstimatesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Customer Concentrations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingenciesCustomerConcentrationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Customer Concentrations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONCENTRATIONS, SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/ConcentrationsSignificantCustomersCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - REVENUES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/RevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/RevenuesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/AccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Insurance Premiums (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebtInsurancePremiumsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Insurance Premiums (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Outstanding Debt Facilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebtOutstandingDebtFacilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Outstanding Debt Facilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Future Contractual Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LineOfCreditAndLongTermDebtFutureContractualMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT - Future Contractual Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMON STOCK (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommonStock</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrantsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Activity in Preferred Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrantsActivityInPreferredStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Activity in Preferred Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Changes in Derivative Liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/PreferredStockAndDetachableWarrantsChangesInDerivativeLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK AND DETACHABLE WARRANTS - Changes in Derivative Liability (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SegmentReportingTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Schedule of Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstrumentsScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Schedule of Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments within Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstrumentsFairValueOfDerivativeInstrumentsWithinBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments within Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativeInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMODITY DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - LEASES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - LEASES - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - LEASES - Schedule of Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Terms and Discount Rates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/LeasesScheduleOfOperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermsAndDiscountRatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Schedule of Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Terms and Discount Rates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Myrtle Grove Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementMyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Myrtle Grove Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Heartland Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementHeartlandSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Heartland Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Variable Interest Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/MyrtleGroveSharePurchaseAndSubscriptionAgreementVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>MYRTLE GROVE SHARE PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT - Variable Interest Entities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Issuance of Series B and B1 Preferred Stock Shares In-Kind and Common Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsIssuanceOfSeriesBAndB1PreferredStockSharesInKindAndCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Issuance of Series B and B1 Preferred Stock Shares In-Kind and Common Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vtnr-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Loan Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vertexenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsLoanAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Loan Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>vtnr-20200331.xml</File>
    <File>vtnr-20200331.xsd</File>
    <File>vtnr-20200331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>vtnr-20200331_def.xml</File>
    <File>vtnr-20200331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>vtnr-20200331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
