Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2021 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (252,433)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(65,701)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	11,657
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(54,044)
Noncontrolling interest	2,876
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss October 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(309,353)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(210,902)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(48,741)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(48,741)
Noncontrolling interest	2,876
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss October 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(262,519)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(3,214)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(16,960)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	9,282
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(7,678)
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss October 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(10,892)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(38,317)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,375
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	2,375
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss October 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (35,942)