<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>602</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>633</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>160</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>25</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders??? Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders??? Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders??? Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders??? Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - General</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/General</Role>
      <ShortName>General</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Intangbile assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangbile assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiary</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/OtherNoncurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Noncurrent Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Derivatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/FairValueMeasurement</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Concentration of Credit Risk</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConcentrationOfCreditRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentration of Credit Risk</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Contingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Business Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialData</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronoucements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/NewAccountingPronoucements</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronoucements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2126100 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - General (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GeneralSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/NewAccountingPronoucements</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - General (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GeneralTables</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/General</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Acquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Intangbile assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangbile assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Goodwill</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiaryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiary</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AccruedExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/OtherNoncurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Derivatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/FairValueMeasurementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/FairValueMeasurement</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegments</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialData</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2326301 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - General (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GeneralDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GeneralTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions - Recognized Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AcquisitionsRecognizedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions - Recognized Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Intangbile assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangbile assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Intangbile assets Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IntangbileAssetsTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangbile assets Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GoodwillTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary Selected Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiarySelectedFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary Selected Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedSubsidiaryTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AccruedExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/AccruedExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Debt Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Debt Debt Maturiities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DebtDebtMaturiitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Debt Maturiities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Income From Operations Before Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeFromOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Income From Operations Before Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Expense Benefit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Expense Benefit (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes - Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Income Taxes - Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationStockOptionAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Weighted Average Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Weighted Average Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415406 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Non-Vested Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Share Unit Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationNonVestedStockRestrictedStockUnitAndPerformanceShareUnitAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Non-Vested Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Share Unit Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415407 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Fiscal 2016 LTIP PSU Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationFiscal2016LtipPsuAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Fiscal 2016 LTIP PSU Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415408 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415409 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of the Company???s LTIP PSU Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfCompanysLtipPsuAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of the Company???s LTIP PSU Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415410 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of the Company???s Non-vested Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfCompanysNonVestedStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Summary of the Company???s Non-vested Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415411 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationNonemployeeDirectorRestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415412 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Non-employee Director Restricted Stock Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/StockholdersEquityAndStockBasedCompensationNonEmployeeDirectorRestrictedStockAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Non-employee Director Restricted Stock Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income Reclassifications (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income Reclassifications (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Comprehensive Income AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive Income AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 1 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansEmployeeBenefitPlansNarrative1Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 1 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 2 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansEmployeeBenefitPlansNarrative2Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 2 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417405 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 3 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansEmployeeBenefitPlansNarrative3Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Narrative 3 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417406 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Level 3 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansEmployeeBenefitPlansLevel3Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans Level 3 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Derivatives Derivative Effect of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/DerivativesDerivativeEffectOfDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives Derivative Effect of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/FairValueMeasurementTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420401 - Disclosure - Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConcentrationOfCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentration of Credit Risk (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ConcentrationOfCreditRisk</ParentRole>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421401 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/ContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/Contingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424401 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426402 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426403 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426404 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426405 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationGuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatingStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dar-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426406 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.darlingii.com/role/GuarantorFinancialInformationCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>dar-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>dar-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>dar-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>dar-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>dar-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>dar-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
