Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2013		Jun. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2013
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	$ (747,966)		$ (309,922)		$ (1,492,945)		$ (632,608)
Interest expense	(26,571)		(5,669)		(85,428)		(11,294)
Amortization of prior service cost	4		15		8		30
Amortization of actuarial loss	520		1,300		1,039		2,600
Total before tax	50,078		42,753		(19,218)		95,576
Income taxes	(15,503)		(16,335)		2,787		(36,753)
Net income/ (loss) attributable to Darling	32,757		26,418		(20,046)		58,823
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/ (loss) attributable to Darling	(301)		(125)		388		(939)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	32		1,110		1,681		1,095
Income taxes	(12)		(430)		(652)		(424)
Net income/ (loss) attributable to Darling	20		680		1,029		671
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	0		(244)		(357)		(187)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	(32)		(866)		(1,324)		(908)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost	(4)	[1]	(15)	[1]	(8)	[1]	(30)	[1]
Amortization of actuarial loss	(520)	[1]	(1,300)	[1]	(1,039)	[1]	(2,600)	[1]
Total before tax	(524)		(1,315)		(1,047)		(2,630)
Income taxes	203		510		406		1,020
Net income/ (loss) attributable to Darling	$ (321)		$ (805)		$ (641)		$ (1,610)

[1] These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.