CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2022		$ 802	$ 297,270	$ 2,059,796	$ (64,175)	$ (502,779)	$ 23,050
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			434
Stock-based compensation expense			12,459
Issuance of restricted stock			(458)			458
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 350,950			350,950
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(34,128)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	17,890				17,926
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						(3,022)
Repurchase of common stock						(19,303)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,694)						3,694
Foreign currency translation	17,976						(36)
Balance at end of period at Jul. 01, 2023		802	309,705	2,376,618	(46,249)	(524,646)	26,708
Balance at beginning of period at Apr. 01, 2023		802	303,133	2,215,939	(51,951)	(505,616)	25,162
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			208
Stock-based compensation expense			6,822
Issuance of restricted stock			(458)			458
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	177,711			177,711
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(17,032)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	5,408				5,702
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						(185)
Repurchase of common stock						(19,303)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,840)						1,840
Foreign currency translation	7,725						(294)
Balance at end of period at Jul. 01, 2023		802	309,705	2,376,618	(46,249)	(524,646)	26,708
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 30, 2023	2,358,716	1,604	312,171	2,594,300	(47,221)	(523,409)	21,271
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			343
Stock-based compensation expense			13,476
Issuance of restricted stock			(227)			227
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	298,528			298,528
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(45,408)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	(14,085)				(12,941)
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						(2,346)
Repurchase of common stock						(42,994)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,628)						6,628
Foreign currency translation	(12,026)						(1,144)
Balance at end of period at Jun. 29, 2024	2,572,858	1,604	325,763	2,847,420	(60,162)	(568,522)	26,755
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 30, 2024		1,604	318,684	2,709,950	(51,754)	(554,110)	23,996
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			61
Stock-based compensation expense			7,245
Issuance of restricted stock			(227)			227
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	160,165			160,165
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(22,695)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	(8,931)				(8,408)
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						425
Repurchase of common stock						(15,064)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,282)						3,282
Foreign currency translation	(7,871)						(523)
Balance at end of period at Jun. 29, 2024	$ 2,572,858	$ 1,604	$ 325,763	$ 2,847,420	$ (60,162)	$ (568,522)	$ 26,755