Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Net income/(loss)	$ 28,890	$ (7,357)	$ 65,544	$ (596)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(5,839)	(43,295)	43,684	(129,167)
Pension adjustments	727	780	2,104	2,327
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(4,378)	(40,654)	47,043	(126,266)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	24,512	(48,011)	112,587	(126,862)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(94)	39	1,211	7,929
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	24,606	(48,050)	111,376	(134,791)
Parent [Member]
Net income/(loss)	28,890	(7,357)	65,544	(596)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Pension adjustments	659	730	1,975	2,188
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,393	2,591	3,230	2,762
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	30,283	(4,766)	68,774	2,166
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	30,283	(4,766)	68,774	2,166
Guarantors [Member]
Net income/(loss)	29,914	(41,121)	86,132	(4,261)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Pension adjustments	0	0	(75)	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	0	0	(75)	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	29,914	(41,121)	86,057	(4,261)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	29,914	(41,121)	86,057	(4,261)
Non-guarantors [Member]
Net income/(loss)	31,038	(4,240)	71,811	(5,207)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(5,839)	(43,295)	43,684	(129,167)
Pension adjustments	68	50	204	139
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(5,771)	(43,245)	43,888	(129,028)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	25,267	(47,485)	115,699	(134,235)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(94)	39	1,211	7,929
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	25,361	(47,524)	114,488	(142,164)
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	734	1,861	1,255	574
Corn Option [Member] | Parent [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	734	1,861	1,255	574
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/(loss)	(60,952)	45,361	(157,943)	9,468
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)	(60,952)	45,361	(157,943)	9,468
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$ (60,952)	$ 45,361	$ (157,943)	$ 9,468