Beef Tallow French Fries
On August 20, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Beef Tallow French Fries are crispy, golden goodness with an incredible depth of flavor that may just ruin you for other fries. Twice-fried in rich beef tallow, then seasoned with a killer fry seasoning, these are the ultimate side for any burger, sandwich, or BBQ spread.
Beef Tallow French Fries
Listen, I know what you’re thinking: “Susie, aren’t we supposed to be grilling?” But hear me out! Sometimes the best BBQ sides happen off the grill, and these beef tallow french fries are about to become your new obsession.
After years of perfecting BBQ techniques and testing countless side dishes, I can confidently say these are the most flavorful fries you’ll ever make. By cooking fries in beef tallow instead of regular oil, you create an incredible savory richness and crispiness that’ll make people stop mid-meal and ask, “What did you DO to these potatoes?!”
Why Beef Tallow Makes the Best French Fries
If you’ve never cooked with beef tallow before, you’re in for a treat. Beef tallow is rendered beef fat that adds incredible savory richness you can’t get from vegetable oil. Its high smoke point (around 400 degrees F) creates a crispy exterior while keeping interior fluffy and tender. This is the secret weapon many fancy steakhouses and burger joints use for perfect fries.
Where to Find Beef Tallow
You can find beef tallow at your local butcher shop, or you can make your own beef tallow by rendering it from beef fat trimmings. Many grocery stores now carry it in the cooking oil section too. If you can’t find it locally, check out my post on How to Make Beef Tallow.
Ingredients for Beef Tallow French Fries
This incredible recipe only needs a few simple ingredients to create fry perfection. Here’s what you’ll need so you can make them:
For the Fries:
- 2 whole russet potatoes (these spuds were built for frying)
- 4 cups beef tallow
For the Smoky Savory Fry Seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
If you want to learn more about making your own fry seasoning, check out this post. You can also use just fine sea salt, or your favorite store-bought seasoning if you’re in a pinch.
How to Make Beef Tallow French Fries
Ready to make the crispiest, most flavorful fries of your life? This double-frying technique is what separates good fries from absolutely incredible fries. Here’s what you need to know so you can nail it every time:
- Preheat the tallow. Place a large, deep pot on your stovetop over medium heat, then add the beef tallow. A good thermometer is your best friend here, because temperature control is crucial for perfect fries.
- Prep the potatoes. Peel (if desired) and slice russet potatoes into thin matchsticks about ¼-inch thick. Rinse the potatoes with cool water, then pat completely dry with paper towels. This drying step is a must if you want crispy results.
- Fry the potatoes once. Once the tallow reaches 325 degrees F, fry the sliced and dried potatoes in small batches for 3-4 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain proper temperature. This initial fry cooks the potato through and creates the perfect fluffy interior. After this first fry, allow your fries to rest on a cooling rack as the temperature of the tallow continues to rise for the second fry.
- Fry the potatoes again. Once your tallow reaches around 425 degrees F, return the partially cooked potatoes to the fryer in batches. Fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. This is where you get that perfect contrast of crispy outside and fluffy inside that makes you want to eat the entire batch (like one of my employees did the day we shot these photos).
- Serve immediately. Remove to the cooling rack and immediately season with fry seasoning while hot. Hit those fries with seasoning as soon as they come out of the fryer to help everything stick together. These fries are best enjoyed hot and fresh!
Serving Suggestions
These fries are the perfect sidekick to just about any BBQ main dish you can dream up, but here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Smoked brisket: The rich, beefy flavor of the fries complements smoked brisket like they were made for one another.
- Grilled burgers: Come on, there’s nothing like a classic cheeseburger with a fresh batch of fries you made yourself!
- Pork ribs: Sweet, saucy ribs and savory, crispy fries? Yes, please!
- BBQ Chicken: These fries add the perfect indulgent touch to lighter chicken dishes.
Honestly though, these fries are so good they could be the star of the show all on their own!
Susie’s Beef Tallow Fry Pro Tips
Here are my top tips to help you nail these fries every single time:
- Season immediately. Hit those fries with seasoning as soon as they come out of the fryer while they’re still hot. Whether you use simple salt or make your own seasoning, hitting those fries right away is the key.
- Choose the right potatoes. Russet potatoes are your best friend here. They’re starchy, which makes them perfect for a fluffy interior and crispy exterior.
- Don’t overcrowd. Fry in small batches to maintain the tallow temperature. Overcrowding will drop the temperature and result in soggy fries.
- Use a thermometer. Temperature control is crucial for these twice-fried fries. Invest in a good thermometer, like the Thermapen ONE, which works for both oil and your grilled meats.
More Awesome BBQ Sides Recipes
These fries are just the beginning of your side dish domination! I’ve got tons of other crowd-pleasing sides that’ll have your guests fighting over the last bite. You can find them all here on the site or in the Hey Grill Hey App. For now, check out these popular sides recipes:
Rubs
Lemon Herb Greek Seasoning
This Greek Seasoning blends lemon, garlic, and herbs to add traditional Mediterranean flavor to your chicken, lamb, vegetables, and seafood.…
Beef Tallow French Fries Recipe
Follow the recipe card below and I’ll teach you step-by-step how I make these incredible Beef Tallow French Fries at home. Make sure to drop a comment letting me know how yours turned out, along with a 5-star review if you loved making them.
Head on over to YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook for even more recipes, videos, and tips from Hey Grill Hey. Make sure to tag @heygrillhey so I cheer you on as you become a Backyard BBQ Hero!
Beef Tallow French Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes julienned
- 4 cups beef tallow
- 2 teaspoons Fry Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the tallow. Place a large, deep pot on your stovetop over medium heat and add the beef tallow to start heating.4 cups beef tallow
- Prep the potatoes. Peel (if desired) and slice russet potatoes into thin matchsticks. Rinse with cool water and pat completely dry with paper towels. Cut potatoes into thin, even strips with a sharp knife or fry cutter.2 large russet potatoes
- Fry the potatoes. Once the tallow reaches 325 degrees F, fry the sliced and dried potatoes in small batches for 3-4 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet with a wire rack to drain excess tallow. Increase the heat to medium high and bring the tallow temperature to 425 degrees F.
- Twice fry the potatoes. Return the partially cooked potatoes to the fryer in batches. Fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, then remove to a cooling rack.
- Season, serve, and enjoy. Season the fries immediately with fry seasoning or fine sea salt, serve, and enjoy!2 teaspoons Fry Seasoning
Notes
- Make your own following the recipe here
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
