Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 852,842	$ 835,104
Cost of sales and operating expenses	646,908	650,913
Total before tax	104,391	24,914
Income taxes	(18,300)	(5,274)
Amortization of prior service cost	8	9
Amortization of actuarial loss	854	1,146
Net income attributable to Darling	85,510	18,012
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	(590)	(858)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	112	0
Income taxes	(54)	0
Net income attributable to Darling	58	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	412	0
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	(300)	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(862)	(1,155)
Income taxes	214	297
Amortization of prior service cost	(8)	(9)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(854)	(1,146)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (648)	$ (858)