Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) December 29, 2018, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (304,539)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss) before reclassifications	(6,823)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	858
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(5,965)
Noncontrolling interest	1,759
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) March 30, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(312,263)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) December 29, 2018, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(270,081)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss) before reclassifications	(4,886)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(4,886)
Noncontrolling interest	1,759
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) March 30, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(276,726)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) December 29, 2018, attributable to Darling, net of tax	1,081
Other comprehensive gain/(loss) before reclassifications	(1,937)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,937)
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) March 30, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(856)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) December 29, 2018, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(35,539)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss) before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	858
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	858
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) March 30, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (34,681)

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Reclassification, Net Of Tax

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests.

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