Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Net income	$ 66,495	$ 86,091	$ 31,044	$ 19,640	$ 152,586	$ 50,684
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	20,139	(65,236)	16,326	(4,886)	(45,097)	11,440
Pension adjustments	647		859		1,295	1,717
Net current-period other comprehensive income	19,329		20,791		(43,404)	14,826
Total comprehensive income	85,824		51,835		109,182	65,510
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	416		3,315		908	6,702
Comprehensive income attributable to Darling	85,408		48,520		108,274	58,808
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,804	136	22		1,940	22
Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	(8,940)		2,133		1,930	2,133
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	5,679	(9,151)	1,451	(1,937)	$ (3,472)	$ (486)
Parent [Member]
Net income	65,439	85,510	26,258	18,012
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	20,779	(65,147)	17,797	(6,645)
Parent [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,804	136	22
Parent [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	$ 5,679	$ (9,151)	$ 1,451	$ (1,937)