Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,747,599	$ 1,185,916	$ 4,764,121	$ 3,431,301
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,371,237	859,604	3,623,321	2,510,461
Gain on sale of assets	(3,116)	(501)	(4,560)	(793)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	105,080	97,275	314,888	293,805
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0	0	8,557	778
Acquisition and integration costs	4,503	0	13,634	0
Depreciation and amortization	104,978	77,826	277,337	235,582
Total costs and expenses	1,582,682	1,034,204	4,233,177	3,039,833
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	103,414	53,951	248,898	281,964
Operating income	268,331	205,663	779,842	673,432
Other expense:
Interest expense	(39,816)	(15,409)	(79,427)	(47,105)
Foreign currency loss	(493)	(205)	(6,005)	(1,299)
Other expense, net	(2,807)	(853)	(3,851)	(3,210)
Total other expense	(43,116)	(16,467)	(89,283)	(51,614)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,301	1,647	5,933	4,199
Income before income taxes	227,516	190,843	696,492	626,017
Income tax expense	35,215	42,637	108,631	126,324
Net income	192,301	148,206	587,861	499,693
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,220)	(1,394)	(6,731)	(4,533)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 191,081	$ 146,812	$ 581,130	$ 495,160
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.91	$ 3.60	$ 3.04
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 0.88	$ 3.54	$ 2.96