Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021	Oct. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,747,599	$ 1,185,916	$ 4,764,121	$ 3,431,301
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,371,237	859,604	3,623,321	2,510,461
Income taxes	(35,215)	(42,637)	(108,631)	(126,324)
Amortization of prior service cost	5	5	16	16
Amortization of actuarial loss	571	1,052	1,711	3,157
Net income attributable to Darling	191,081	146,812	581,130	495,160
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	572	(2,598)	(3,576)	(11,657)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	1,552	(2,309)	(2,125)	(12,110)
Income taxes	(551)	502	(165)	2,828
Net income attributable to Darling	1,001	(1,807)	(2,290)	(9,282)
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	3,619	1,889	10,970	2,503
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	(2,188)	(4,217)	(13,533)	(14,880)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Soybean Meal
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	121	19	438	267
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(576)	(1,057)	(1,727)	(3,173)
Income taxes	147	266	441	798
Amortization of prior service cost	(5)	(5)	(16)	(16)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(571)	(1,052)	(1,711)	(3,157)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (429)	$ (791)	$ (1,286)	$ (2,375)