Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2021	Sep. 26, 2020	Oct. 02, 2021	Sep. 26, 2020
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,185,916	$ 850,569	$ 3,431,301	$ 2,552,084
Cost of sales and operating expenses	859,604	638,368	2,510,461	1,917,623
Income taxes	(42,637)	(4,812)	(126,324)	(43,058)
Amortization of prior service cost	5	9	16	25
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,052	854	3,157	2,562
Net income attributable to Darling	146,812	101,125	495,160	252,074
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	(2,598)	4,112	(11,657)	6,055
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(2,309)	5,088	(12,110)	9,396
Income taxes	502	(328)	2,828	(1,398)
Net income attributable to Darling	(1,807)	4,760	(9,282)	7,998
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	1,889	5,317	2,503	10,564
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	(4,217)	(229)	(14,880)	(1,168)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Soybean Meal
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	19	0	267	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	(1,057)	(863)	(3,173)	(2,587)
Income taxes	266	215	798	644
Amortization of prior service cost	(5)	(9)	(16)	(25)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,052)	(854)	(3,157)	(2,562)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (791)	$ (648)	$ (2,375)	$ (1,943)