Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2022	Jul. 03, 2021	Jul. 02, 2022	Jul. 03, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,650,188	$ 1,198,669	$ 3,016,522	$ 2,245,385
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,231,507	878,073	2,252,084	1,650,857
Gain on sale of assets	(1,055)	(228)	(1,444)	(292)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	107,776	99,132	209,808	196,530
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	8,557	0	8,557	778
Acquisition and integration costs	5,358	0	9,131	0
Depreciation and amortization	93,113	79,222	172,359	157,756
Total costs and expenses	1,445,256	1,056,199	2,650,495	2,005,629
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	73,680	125,788	145,484	228,013
Operating income	278,612	268,258	511,511	467,769
Other expense:
Interest expense	(24,008)	(15,268)	(39,611)	(31,696)
Foreign currency loss	(4,412)	(684)	(5,512)	(1,094)
Other expense, net	(302)	(1,198)	(1,044)	(2,357)
Total other expense	(28,722)	(17,150)	(46,167)	(35,147)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,272	1,940	3,632	2,552
Income before income taxes	252,162	253,048	468,976	435,174
Income tax expense	47,333	54,979	73,416	83,687
Net income	204,829	198,069	395,560	351,487
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,833)	(1,487)	(5,511)	(3,139)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 201,996	$ 196,582	$ 390,049	$ 348,348
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 1.21	$ 2.41	$ 2.14
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.23	$ 1.17	$ 2.37	$ 2.08