Looking for a natural alternative to store-bought candles? These high quality beef tallow candles offer a clean burn without the artificial colors or synthetic fragrances often found in commercial soy candles. Made from sustainably rendered fat sourced from a farm, these eco-friendly candles are a beautiful way to reduce waste and avoid chemical-laden options. If you value traditional craftsmanship and a non-toxic home environment, high quality beef candles are a perfect natural upgrade from conventional store-bought candles.
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To learn how to render your own beef tallow for this diy tallow balm, check out this recipe: How To Render Fat To Make Homemade Beef Tallow
Making natural candles from beef tallow is a traditional method that was the primary source of light in homes until the mid-19th century. It uses rendered beef fat instead of waxes from grocery stores. I love tallow candles because they have a long burn time, a neutral scent, and are perfect for homesteading or zero-waste living. For a subtle, natural scent, I prefer to add a few drops of my favorite essential oils, to ensure that they are made of only natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals. They are also a perfect natural alternative to have on hand for a power outage.
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Can beef tallow candles be used as survival food?
Well, yes. I suppose they would qualify as food if you were desperate, however, I'm not quite sure if I would recommend that. But since they are pure beef fat with a hint of essential oils (if you choose to fragrance them), then I'll let you decide. In the meantime, chew on this funny story:
A couple of years ago, I made these pure beef candles (with no essential oils) into pillar candles using silicone molds that I purchased off of Amazon. After they cured, I placed them on a couple of candle holders that were sitting on my hearth. I was so proud! That evening, I noticed that one of the candles had fallen off of the holder. Puzzled, I picked it up and put it back in place. The next morning, after doing the farm chores, I came in to find BOTH candles missing and the holders still standing erect! I couldn't find them anywhere! Turns out, my Great Pyrenees ate them while I was outside. Moral of the story, keep them out of reach from pets, or someone hungry during a blackout!
Ingredients & Supplies for Toxin-Free Candles
- 1–2 cups high-quality beef tallow (depends on the size of jars you choose)
- Cotton candle wicks (pre-waxed or plain)
- 16 oz jars, candle jars of your choosing, metal tins, or molds (See Tips)
- Wick Tabs (See TIPS)
- Popsicle sticks, or pencil (clothes pins work too)
- Optional: Essential oils (like lavender, cedarwood, or orange)
Instructions for Homemade Tallow Candles
STEP 1: In a double boiler, slowly melt your rendered tallow until liquid. Once melted and slightly cooled (around 120–130°F / 49–54°C), stir in 10–20 drops of essential oil per cup of tallow.
STEP 2: Fasten the wick in place with a wick tab.
STEP 3: Place the wick in the center of your container. Tape the wick tab or use hot glue to attach it to the bottom of the jar.
STEP 4: Use a popsicle stick to hold the wick in place.
STEP 5: Carefully pour the melted tallow into the container, leaving about ½ inch at the top. Let it cool undisturbed.
STEP 6: Once the candle is fully set (a few hours), trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
STEP 7: Let the candle cure for 24–48 hours for best burn quality.
Tips for Making Natural Candles
- Tallow has a lower melting point than other waxes, so store candles in a cool place.
- I have used hardware nuts in place of Wick Tabs. They work great to weigh the wick down and keep it straight, while the candle is curing. Just tie it around the nut and you are good to go!
- If the tallow has a slight scent, essential oils can help balance this out.
- These are great for emergency lighting, DIY gifts, or sustainable homestead crafts.
- Make sure to choose a jar that can withstand the heat of the flame and not crack! I prefer canning jars, as they can tolerate high heat.
- Candle molds can be used instead of a mason jar.
- I prefer to use this natural beef tallow recipe to render the animal fat myself. If you are purchasing it, try to stick to a high quality fat, such as: grass-fed beef tallow.
- I prefer these cotton candle wicks because I can cut them to the exact size that I need.
How to Make Natural Candles From Beef Tallow
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups high-quality beef tallow depends on the size of jars you choose
- Cotton candle wicks pre-waxed or plain
- 16 oz jars candle jars of your choosing, metal tins, or molds (See Tips)
- Wick holders popsicle sticks or clothes pins work
- Optional: Essential oils like lavender, cedarwood, or orange)
Instructions
- In a double boiler, slowly melt your rendered tallow until liquid.
- Once melted and slightly cooled (around 120–130°F / 49–54°C), stir in 10–20 drops of essential oil per cup of tallow.
- Place the wick in the center of your container. Tape the wick tab or use hot glue to attach it to the bottom of the jar.
- Use a popsicle stick to hold the wick in place.
- Carefully pour the melted tallow into the container, leaving about ½ inch at the top. Let it cool undisturbed.
- Once the candle is fully set (a few hours), trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
- Let the candle cure for 24–48 hours for best burn quality.
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