Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,625,204	$ 1,747,599	$ 5,173,997	$ 4,764,121
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,238,733	1,371,237	3,965,408	3,623,321
Income taxes	15,364	(35,215)	(52,322)	(108,631)
Amortization of prior service cost	(1)	5	(1)	16
Amortization of actuarial loss	434	571	1,302	1,711
Net income attributable to Darling	125,026	191,081	563,210	581,130
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	23,603	572	31,923	(3,576)
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	33,427	1,552	46,875	(2,125)
Income taxes	(9,497)	(551)	(13,971)	(165)
Net income attributable to Darling	23,930	1,001	32,904	(2,290)
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	(322)	121	182	438
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	11,677	3,619	23,950	10,970
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	0	(2,188)	1,537	(13,533)
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)	22,072	0	21,206	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	(433)	(576)	(1,301)	(1,727)
Income taxes	106	147	320	441
Amortization of prior service cost	1	(5)	1	(16)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(434)	(571)	(1,302)	(1,711)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (327)	$ (429)	$ (981)	$ (1,286)