Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2021	Jun. 27, 2020	Jul. 03, 2021	Jun. 27, 2020
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,198,669	$ 848,673	$ 2,245,385	$ 1,701,515
Cost of sales and operating expenses	878,073	632,347	1,650,857	1,279,255
Income taxes	(54,979)	(19,946)	(83,687)	(38,246)
Amortization of prior service cost	6	8	11	16
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,053	854	2,105	1,708
Net income attributable to Darling	196,582	65,439	348,348	150,949
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	(5,403)	2,533	(9,059)	1,943
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(5,937)	4,196	(9,801)	4,308
Income taxes	1,326	(1,016)	2,326	(1,070)
Net income attributable to Darling	(4,611)	3,180	(7,475)	3,238
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	838	4,835	614	5,247
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Corn Option
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	(6,743)	(639)	(10,663)	(939)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Soybean Meal
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	(32)	0	248	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	(1,059)	(862)	(2,116)	(1,724)
Income taxes	267	215	532	429
Amortization of prior service cost	(6)	(8)	(11)	(16)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,053)	(854)	(2,105)	(1,708)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (792)	$ (647)	$ (1,584)	$ (1,295)