Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 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	12,960
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	1,866
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	14,826
Noncontrolling interest	288
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) June 29, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(290,001)
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	11,440
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	11,440
Noncontrolling interest	288
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) June 29, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(258,929)
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	1,520
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	149
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	1,669
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) June 29, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	2,750
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)	1,717
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	1,717
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) June 29, 2019, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (33,822)

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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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