How to Make Bird Food Suet

Bird food suet is an enjoyable treat for wild birds especially in the fall and winter months when they have a difficult time finding food and need fats to keep them warm. Making bird food suet is a fun process that can be achieved even by beginners in the kitchen.

Materials you'll need:

• 1 cup meat fat and/or bacon grease


• 1 cup vegetable shortening and/or lard


• Cooking Pot


• Cheesecloth


• Bowl


• Small container


• 1/4 cup bird treats (seed, honey, chopped nuts, dried fruit pieces etc.)


• Thin rope

1. Collect the fat from cuts of meat like beef and/or collect the grease from cooked bacon. Save the meat fat and grease until have at least a cup full in your refrigerator.


2. Place a cooking pot onto a stove on low heat.


3. Put the meat fat and/or bacon grease into the pot.


4. Put a cup (or more depending on how large you want your suet cake) of vegetable shortening and/or lard into the cooking pot.


5. Cook the fats until they become a liquid. Stir the fat slowly if it begins to burn.


6. Place cheesecloth over a bowl and strain the liquid fat over the cheese cloth. 


7. Pour the strained liquid fat into a small container. A one to two inch square container is typically used, but you can use whatever shape you have on hand.


8. Sprinkle 1/3 of the bird treat of your choice into the container.


9. Let the fat sit. When it begins to become a solid and has a mushy texture, press another 1/3 of the bird treat into the middle of the suet cake. 


10. Press the ends of a thin rope about six to twelve inches long (depending on the length you need to hang your suet cake) into the middle of the suet. An inch of the rope on either end should be inside the suet while the rest forms an upside down U-shape over the suet.


11. Let the fat continue to sit until it is formed and nearly a solid. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 bird treat over the suet cake. Use your fingers to gently press the bird treat lightly on top of the suet to ensure it sticks.


12. Place the suet cake into a refrigerator and let it firm for six to twenty-four hours.


13. Take suet cake out of the refrigerator, tip it over on a counter, and gently bang it against the counter until it pops out. You may need to run a sharp knife around the edges between the suet and the container to help it pop out.


14. Hang the suet cake outside for the birds to eat and enjoy!