Soap-Making

Tallow Soap Recipe (You’ve Got to Try This!)

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I was honestly fascinated when I first learned that animal fat could be used to make soap (I mean, it didn’t make sense to me at first).

The idea of using animal fat might sound a bit strange, but it’s actually a tried-and-true way to create soap that’s gentle on the skin and lasts a long time.

Turns out, tallow soap has been used for centuries. It’s still a favorite among people, especially homesteaders, who want something simple, natural, and effective.

No hidden chemicals, no long ingredient lists you can’t pronounce. Just tallow, water, and a little bit of lye.

You can decide how much scent you want (if any), and you get to choose what goes into your soap, from the fat to the essential oils.

And, if you’re into using natural, sustainable products, or into micro-homesteading, tallow soap fits perfectly into that lifestyle.

So, if you’re ready to try something new (or you’re just curious about tallow soap), this article will walk you through everything you need to know to make your own batch at home.

What Is Tallow, and Why Use It?

Tallow is simply rendered fat from beef or mutton (though the most common type is beef tallow).

To make it, the fat is heated until it melts, and then it’s filtered to remove any impurities, leaving behind a solid fat.

If you’ve ever heard of lard, it’s similar, but lard comes from pigs.

So, why use tallow? It’s simple and natural. There’s nothing extra in it—just fat, water, and lye.

It’s also gentle on your skin, helping to keep it soft and moisturized, which is especially good for people with sensitive skin.

It creates a creamy lather that cleans without drying you out. The bars are long-lasting too, so they don’t melt away too quickly.

And, if you’re into more sustainable products, using tallow is a good option since it’s a byproduct of the meat industry.

What You Need to Make Tallow Soap

Now, let’s go over the tools and ingredients you’ll need to make your tallow soap. The good thing about this is that the list isn’t long, and some of these might already be in your home.

Tools:

  • A digital scale (for precise measurements).
  • Heat-resistant bowls or containers (for mixing lye).
  • A stainless steel pot or slow cooker (for melting tallow).
  • Immersion blender (for blending to trace).
  • Thermometer (to monitor temperatures).
  • Soap molds (silicone or wooden).
  • Protective gear (gloves, goggles, and long sleeves).

Tallow Soap Recipe (For a Basic 2-Pound Soap Batch):

  • 16 ounces of rendered tallow (this will be your main fat base).
  • 6 ounces of distilled water (always use distilled for consistency).
  • 2.2 ounces of sodium hydroxide (lye) (measured carefully by weight).
  • 2 ounces of coconut oil (optional, for extra lather).
  • 2 ounces of olive oil (optional, for moisturizing properties).
  • Optional essential oils: About 0.5 ounces (lavender, tea tree, or your choice).

Where to Get Tallow?

If you're raising your own livestock (or know someone who does), then good for you—getting your tallow or lard is easy.

If you’re already working with a butcher or farmer, you can simply ask for the fat to be set aside.

But if you’re not raising livestock yourself, there are still plenty of options. Local butcher shops are one of the best places to check.

Many butchers sell tallow or lard, and even if they don’t have it on hand, they might be able to get some for you.

It’s always a good idea to ask, especially if they process the meat themselves.

Another place to look is farmers’ markets. In areas where people raise their own animals, it’s common to find rendered fat being sold, either as tallow or lard.

If you don’t see it at a booth, don’t hesitate to ask the farmer if they have it available or if they can direct you to someone who does.

Where to Get Pure Lye?

All real soap contains lye (also known as sodium hydroxide). It’s used to turn the fats and oils into soap through a chemical reaction called saponification.

But where do you get it?

You can find lye at a few different places, both online and in physical stores.

Many soap-making supply stores (both online and local) sell high-quality, pure sodium hydroxide. This is the easiest and most reliable way to get exactly what you need.

Some large hardware stores or farm supply stores may also carry lye, especially for cleaning purposes (though you’ll want to make sure it’s 100% pure and not mixed with any other chemicals).

If you prefer to shop online, websites like Amazon, Bramble Berry, and Bulk Apothecary offer pure lye that’s safe for soap-making.

Just make sure to double-check that the product is 100% sodium hydroxide and doesn’t contain anything else.

And, as always, when handling lye, be sure to follow safety guidelines, as it can be harmful if not used properly (I’m serious).

How to Make Tallow Soap


Alright, now here we are at the main part: the actual making process.

I’ll break it down for you step by step to make sure everything’s easy to understand and that you feel confident jumping in (even if it’s your first time). This way, you won’t feel lost along the way.

Step #1: Set Up Your Workspace

Before you start, it’s important to create a safe, organized workspace.

You’ll be working with lye (sodium hydroxide), and it’s caustic, so it can burn your skin or cause harm if you’re not careful.

That’s why gloves, goggles, and long sleeves are a must.

You also want to make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area because the lye solution can release fumes as it dissolves.

Gather all your tools in one place so you aren’t running around looking for them while you’re in the middle of the process.

This way, when it’s time to start mixing, everything’s ready to go, and the process will flow smoothly.

Step #2: Render Your Tallow

If you already have pre-rendered tallow (which is just beef fat that’s been slowly melted down and purified), you can skip this step.

But if you’re starting from scratch, no worries—it’s easy to render your own.

Here’s how you do it:

Start by cutting the fat into small chunks (this helps it melt evenly) and place it in a stainless steel pot. Use low heat so the fat doesn’t burn (this takes time, so don’t rush it).

As it melts, impurities will float to the top. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to filter them out.

Once the fat is melted, let it cool to room temperature.

You can store it for later use, and it’ll keep for months in a cool, dry place. If you’re using the rendered tallow immediately, you’re good to go.

This process is crucial because it gives you pure, clean fat to make your soap with. It’s the base of your soap and what makes it moisturizing and long-lasting.

Step #3: Make the Lye Solution

This is the part where you really need to be careful. Working with lye can be intimidating, but as long as you take it slow and follow instructions, you’ll be fine.

The most important thing to remember is: always add the lye to the water (not the other way around). If you pour water into lye, it can cause a reaction that might splatter and burn you (safety first!).

Use a heat-safe container for mixing the lye, since it’ll get very hot. Carefully measure 2.2 ounces of lye and add it to 6 ounces of distilled water (a digital scale helps here).

Stir gently with a spoon (never with your hands) until the lye is fully dissolved. The solution will heat up, so let it cool down to about 100–110°F (37–43°C).

You don’t have to stress about the exact temperature. Just let it cool a bit before mixing it with the oils. If it’s too hot, it could mess with the soap’s texture.

The lye solution is what turns the fats and oils into soap, thanks to a chemical process called saponification.

Without it, you wouldn’t have soap. So, even though this step can be a bit technical, it’s very important.

Step #4: Melt the Tallow and Combine Oils

Now that the lye solution is ready, it’s time to melt the tallow.

Take your 16 ounces of rendered tallow (and any other oils you want to use, like 2 ounces of coconut oil for extra lather or 2 ounces of olive oil for extra moisture) and melt them slowly over low heat.

Stir occasionally to make sure the oils melt evenly.

Once everything is melted, remove the pot from the heat and let the oils cool to about the same temperature as your lye solution (around 100–110°F or 37–43°C).

Why do the oils need to be at the right temperature?

If the oils are too hot, they could mess with the lye solution when you mix them together. If they’re too cold, the mixture won’t combine properly.

So, be patient and wait until everything is at the right temperature.

Step #5: Mix the Lye and Oils

Once your oils and lye solution have both cooled to around the same temperature (about 100–110°F or 37–43°C), it’s time to mix them together.

Take the lye solution and slowly pour it into the melted oils while gently stirring with a spoon or spatula (pour slowly so everything blends smoothly).

After the initial mixing, grab your immersion blender (or stick blender). This is where things start to come together, and you’ll see your soap slowly take shape.

Begin blending on low speed, and don’t rush it.

At first, the mixture will look watery, but as you keep blending, it’ll start to thicken.

You’re aiming for something called “trace.” This is when the mixture thickens enough that, when you lift the blender out and let some of the mixture fall back into the bowl, it leaves a trail or little marks on the surface.

Think of it like the consistency of pudding—not too runny but not too thick either.

You’ll know you’ve hit “trace” when the mixture holds a line for a second before sinking back in.

This step is crucial because it shows that the oils and lye have fully reacted and combined, making your soap base ready for the next step.

Step #6: Add Fragrance (Optional)

If you prefer an unscented soap, simply skip this step.

But if you’d like your soap to have a pleasant scent, this is the moment to add essential oils. Lavender, tea tree, and peppermint are popular choices, but feel free to get creative.

Just stir in about 0.5 ounces of essential oil for a gentle fragrance.

Step #7: Pour Into Molds

Pour the soap batter into your molds. I recommend silicone molds, as they’re easy to pop the soap out of later.

Use a spatula to smooth out the top, and then cover the molds with plastic wrap or a lid.

Wrap the molds with a towel to keep them warm (this helps the soap set better). Let the soap sit for 24–48 hours, or until it’s firm enough to remove from the molds.

Step #8: Unmold and Cut

After a day or two, the soap should be firm enough to pop out of the molds. If it’s still soft, don’t worry—just wait a bit longer.

Once the soap feels firm and solid, gently pop it out of the mold. If you used a silicone mold, this should be pretty easy.

If you used a harder mold, you might need to tap it a bit to loosen the edges.

After removing the soap, it’s time to cut it into bars. Grab a sharp knife or a soap cutter (something with a clean, straight edge) and slice the soap into even pieces.

Try to make them the size you want for your bars (about 1 inch thick is pretty standard).

Step #9: Cure the Soap

Finally, we’re now at the final step—curing.

Curing is an important process that helps your soap dry out and become harder, which makes it last longer when you use it.

After you’ve cut your soap into bars, place them in a cool, dry place (somewhere with good airflow is best).

Make sure the bars aren’t stacked on top of each other or touching, as that can cause them to dry unevenly.

You’ll need to let the soap cure for about 4 to 6 weeks (yes, it takes some time, but it’s worth it!). During this period, the soap will lose some of the water inside, which helps it harden.

The longer you let it cure, the better it will feel on your skin—and it’ll last longer when you use it.

It might be tempting to use the soap right away, but try to be patient. If you rush the curing process, the soap might stay soft and dissolve too quickly in water.

So, take your time with this step, and you’ll end up with perfect, long-lasting soap bars.

And that’s it! 

Making tallow soap does take a bit of time, but it’s well worth the effort.

You’ll end up with a high-quality, gentle soap while also picking up a skill that’s useful in so many ways.

So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the process from start to finish.

Happy soap-making! 🧼

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