Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,046,716	$ 852,842
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784	646,908
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other assets	(64)	61
Selling, general and administrative expenses	97,398	96,193
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	778	0
Depreciation and amortization	78,534	84,671
Total costs and expenses	949,430	827,833
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	102,225	97,820
Operating income	199,511	122,829
Other expense:
Interest expense	(16,428)	(19,090)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	(410)	1,664
Other expense, net	(1,159)	(1,881)
Total other expense	(17,997)	(19,307)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	612	869
Income before income taxes	182,126	104,391
Income tax expense	28,708	18,300
Net income	153,418	86,091
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,652)	(581)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 151,766	$ 85,510
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.52
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.51