Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Sep. 26, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019
Net income	$ 101,605	$ 66,495	$ 86,091	$ 26,837	$ 31,044	$ 19,640	$ 254,191	$ 77,521
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	37,854	20,139	(65,236)	(47,626)	16,326	(4,886)	(7,243)	(36,186)
Pension adjustments	648			859			1,943	2,576
Net current-period other comprehensive income	38,890			(52,841)			(4,514)	(38,015)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	140,495			(26,004)			249,677	39,506
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	456			1,120			1,364	7,822
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	140,039			(27,124)			248,313	31,684
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	(2,518)	1,804	136	553	22		(578)	575
Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,494			(1,683)			3,424	450
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	1,412	5,679	(9,151)	(4,944)	1,451	(1,937)	$ (2,060)	$ (5,430)
Parent [Member]
Net income	101,125	65,439	85,510	25,721	26,258	18,012
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	37,878	20,779	(65,147)	(47,630)	17,797	(6,645)
Parent [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	(2,518)	1,804	136	553	22
Parent [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	$ 1,412	$ 5,679	$ (9,151)	$ (4,944)	$ 1,451	$ (1,937)