Tallow Candle Recipe With Essential Oils

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Looking for a simple, natural way to add warmth and light to your home? This DIY Tallow Candle recipe is easy to make and perfect for creating a cozy ambiance. Made with only a few ingredients, this candle is not only practical but also customizable with your favorite essential oils for a personal touch. Whether you’re preparing for emergencies or looking for a thoughtful handmade gift, this tallow candle is a wonderful choice.
Let’s explore why this candle is so special and how you can make it yourself!
I use affiliate links in this article. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!

Why This Tallow Candle is a Must-Have for Your Home
Tallow is a natural, animal-derived fat that has been used for centuries in candle-making. It’s a renewable and biodegradable resource, making it a great option for those who care about reducing waste and choosing sustainable alternatives. Unlike synthetic candles, tallow burns cleanly, without releasing harmful chemicals, making it a healthier choice for your home and the environment.
Long-Lasting Light
One of the best things about tallow candles is how long they burn. The slow, steady burn of tallow provides hours of soft, warm light, making them both cost-effective and practical. Whether you’re using them for a cozy evening at home or during a power outage, you can rely on these candles to light up your space beautifully.
Perfect for Emergencies
Tallow candles are an essential addition to any emergency kit. Their simplicity and durability make them ideal for unexpected situations like power outages or storms. They’re easy to make, store, and use, ensuring you’re prepared whenever the need arises.
Customizable Scents
Adding essential oils to your tallow candle allows you to create a scent that reflects your personal style or mood. Want to relax? Add lavender or chamomile for a calming aroma. Prefer something invigorating? Citrus or eucalyptus can brighten your space. Customizing the scent is an easy way to elevate the candle-making experience and make your home feel even more inviting.
Handmade Touch
A tallow candle isn’t just a functional item—it’s a handmade piece of art. The rustic charm and personal effort that go into creating it add a unique warmth to your home. Displaying or gifting a tallow candle shows care, creativity, and an appreciation for natural, sustainable living. It’s more than a light source; it’s a personal statement.
With its natural ingredients, long-lasting light, and customizable options, this tallow candle is a wonderful addition to your home. It’s a simple, meaningful way to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere while staying prepared for life’s unexpected moments.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Your DIY Tallow Candle

This recipe makes around 4 ounces of candle and requires just a few simple items:
- 4 ounces rendered tallow
- A candle-making kit (includes a wick, container, and wick holder)
- 150 drops essential oils (optional)
Now, let’s discover why these ingredients matter!
Rendered Tallow
Tallow is the backbone of this candle recipe. It’s a natural fat that solidifies at room temperature, providing a stable base for the candle. I love how tallow burns cleanly and doesn’t release harmful chemicals, making it safe for your home and the environment.
This is the tallow I have used for many of my tallow DIY projects .
Candle-Making Kit
A candle-making kit simplifies the process, providing everything you need, like wicks, containers, and wick holders. Using a kit ensures your candle is easy to pour, set, and use.
This is the candle making kit I have used:
Essential Oils (Optional)
Adding essential oils is a wonderful way to customize your candle and make it truly your own. I love incorporating scents like calming lavender for a relaxing atmosphere, refreshing eucalyptus for a burst of freshness, or warm cinnamon to create a cozy, inviting feel.
If you prefer an unscented candle, especially for emergencies, you can skip the essential oils entirely. While optional, essential oils add a beautiful personal touch, transforming your candle into both a functional and aromatic delight. It’s your chance to experiment and craft a scent that perfectly suits your mood and space!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Tallow Candle
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Melt the Tallow

Place the rendered tallow in a glass jar and slowly heat it using a double boiler. If you prefer, you can also melt it in the microwave in short 15-30 second bursts, stirring in between. This ensures the tallow melts evenly without overheating.
Step 2 : Allow to Cool
Once fully melted, let the tallow cool for about 15 minutes. This step is important because adding essential oils to very hot tallow can diminish their scent and properties.
Step 3 : Add Essential Oils (Optional)

If you’re using essential oils, now is the time to add them. Stir in about 150 drops of your chosen essential oil, mixing thoroughly to distribute the fragrance evenly. You can skip this step if you prefer an unscented candle, especially for emergency use.
Step 4 : Pour and Set



Secure the wick in your container using the wick holder from the candle-making kit. Carefully pour the melted tallow into the container, making sure the wick stays centered. Allow the candle to cool and harden completely at room temperature. This usually takes a few hours.
Step 5: Trim the Wick


Once the candle has fully set, trim the wick to about ¼ inch. This helps ensure a clean and even burn.

Store your tallow candles in a cool, dry place to maintain their firmness and longevity.
That’s it! This simple recipe makes around 4 ounces of tallow candle. It’s a great addition to your home, whether you’re using it for ambiance or emergencies. The natural ingredients and optional customization make it special, and it’s an excellent handmade gift for loved ones. Enjoy the process and the warm glow of your finished candle!

Tallow Candle
Equipment

Ingredients
- 4 ounces rendered tallow
- 150 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
- Melt the tallow in a glass jar and slowly heat in a double broiler until melted. You can also do this in the microwave.
- Once melted, allow it to cool for 15 minutes.
- Then add in your essential oils, if using.
- Secure the wick in your container using the wick holder from the candle-making kit. Carefully pour the melted tallow into the container, making sure the wick stays centered.
- Allow the candle to cool and harden completely at room temperature. This usually takes a few hours.
- Once the candle has hardened, trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
Notes
Before You Go, See What’s New

Dawn Goehring
Hi! I’m Dawn, the founder of Desert Naturals. My family , including my 2 teen boys, husband and myself, live in the southern California desert, I’m passionate about natural living and a life free of synthetics, dye’s, artificial fragrances, and other harmful ingredients. I love to use essential oils and natural ingredients for pretty much everything from natural remedies for my family, to non toxic cleaning for my home, to making my own DIY Beauty products, self care products, and more.





So, if the power’s out and my tallow candle is burning bright, does that make me historically accurate or just eco-friendly? Asking for a friend who loves both history and the planet.
It’s fascinating to see tallow, a by-product from my kitchen, being used in such a creative way. I always look for ways to minimize waste, and this project aligns perfectly with that philosophy. Dawn, this was an eye-opener, thank you!
Love seeing sustainable practices in action! Great job, Manny!
Thanks! It’s all about finding those small ways to make a difference.
how much tallow do you need for like one candle?
Interesting read! I’m curious about the melting point of tallow compared to other candle materials. Does it affect how long the candle burns?
I’ve used tallow in soaps but never considered candles! How wonderful. I wonder if adding beeswax would help with the stability? Has anyone tried?
I’m intrigued by the practical aspect of having tallow candles for emergencies. What’s the shelf life on something like this?
nice! never knew you could make candles out of tallow. might give it a try next weekend. any playlist suggestions for candle making vibes?
I’d say anything acoustic or lo-fi! Always sets the mood for crafting. 🙂
Just saw this and I’m already on board with making my own tallow candle! I love the idea of customizing the scent. Thanks for sharing, Dawn!