Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015
Net income	$ 33,991	$ 4,937	$ 36,654	$ 6,761
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(8,008)	7,443	49,523	(85,872)
Pension adjustments	651	778	1,377	1,547
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(6,130)	6,896	51,421	(85,612)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	27,861	11,833	88,075	(78,851)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,725	848	1,305	7,890
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	26,136	10,985	86,770	(86,741)
Parent [Member]
Net income	33,991	4,937	36,654	6,761
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Pension adjustments	658	729	1,316	1,458
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,885	(596)	1,837	171
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	35,876	4,341	38,491	6,932
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	35,876	4,341	38,491	6,932
Guarantors [Member]
Net income	37,377	18,110	56,218	36,860
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Pension adjustments	(75)	0	(75)	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(75)	0	(75)	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	37,302	18,110	56,143	36,860
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	37,302	18,110	56,143	36,860
Non-guarantors [Member]
Net income	30,643	334	40,773	(967)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(8,008)	7,443	49,523	(85,872)
Pension adjustments	68	49	136	89
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(7,940)	7,492	49,659	(85,783)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	22,703	7,826	90,432	(86,750)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,725	848	1,305	7,890
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	20,978	6,978	89,127	(94,640)
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,227	(1,325)	521	(1,287)
Corn Option [Member] | Parent [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,227	(1,325)	521	(1,287)
Corn Option [Member] | Guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0	0	0
Corn Option [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0	0	0
Eliminations [Member]
Net income	(68,020)	(18,444)	(96,991)	(35,893)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Pension adjustments	0	0	0	0
Derivative adjustments	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(68,020)	(18,444)	(96,991)	(35,893)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$ (68,020)	$ (18,444)	$ (96,991)	$ (35,893)