Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2023	Jul. 02, 2022	Jul. 01, 2023	Jul. 02, 2022
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,757,621	$ 1,650,188	$ 3,548,793	$ 3,016,522
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,359,702	1,231,507	2,726,675	2,252,084
Income taxes	(40,712)	(47,333)	(67,686)	(73,416)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	6	0	11
Amortization of actuarial loss	434	570	868	1,140
Net income attributable to Darling	252,383	201,996	438,184	390,049
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	5,944	(1,695)	8,320	(4,148)
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	9,268	(1,082)	13,448	(3,677)
Income taxes	(2,997)	(185)	(4,474)	386
Net income attributable to Darling	6,271	(1,267)	8,974	(3,291)
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	166	(124)	504	317
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	7,459	6,280	12,273	7,351
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	653	(7,238)	1,537	(11,345)
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)	990	0	(866)	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)	(576)	(868)	(1,151)
Income taxes	107	148	214	294
Amortization of prior service cost	0	(6)	0	(11)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(434)	(570)	(868)	(1,140)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (327)	$ (428)	$ (654)	$ (857)