Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2023	Apr. 02, 2022
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,791,172	$ 1,366,334
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,366,973	1,020,577
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	5,004	(1,100)
Income taxes	(26,974)	(26,083)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	5
Amortization of actuarial loss	434	570
Net income attributable to Darling	185,801	188,053
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	2,376	(2,453)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	4,180	(2,595)
Income taxes	(1,477)	571
Net income attributable to Darling	2,703	(2,024)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Soybean Meal
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	338	441
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	4,814	1,071
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Corn Option
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	884	(4,107)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	(1,856)	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(434)	(575)
Income taxes	107	146
Amortization of prior service cost	0	(5)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(434)	(570)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (327)	$ (429)