Make your own suet with this Homemade Bird Suet Recipe. Simple ingredients like oats, cornmeal, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, bacon fat make up this easy recipe.
Our backyard is like a wildlife refuge right now. We have so many birds and squirrels, there is constant movement and activity. I’m curious how they’ll enjoy this Homemade Bird Suet Recipe.
I can’t wait to sit outside this summer in our outdoor room and listen to all those little darlings singing their thank you’s for keeping them fed all winter.
Homemade Bird Suet Recipe
I’ve had a recipe tucked away for a few years that I found from Martha Stewart. I substituted or added a few ingredients to what I had on hand to concoct a block of bird suet that I thought they may like. We will see.
It may end up being the raccoon’s next meal…….those pesky things.
Where Do I Hang Bird Suet?
When I made over my office, I had my husband place a bird feeder outside my window, within my view. Well…… between the squirrels and the raccoons, we were going through 2 feeders a day! They were having a feast once the sun would go down. Come to find out, the bird feeder was too close to the fence, which made it very easy for them to reach the feeder and just shake it.
We have learned to hang the suet at least 5 feet from the ground and away from the fence. I do hang in it a tree, but if I see that a raccoon or squirrel breaking into it, I move it. One of these hangers is perfect or use one that attaches to a deck railing.
We have since invested in a squirrel proof feeder for the seed and so far it’s working.
What is Bird Suet?
Bird Suet is a valuable bird food during the winter months. It’s a mixture of fatty ingredients, like beef fat, lard, or peanut butter, usually anything that can solidify. This helps birds pack on extra calories, which keeps them warm. It can be as basic and simple as mixing equal parts beef fat with any type of birdseed.
I added a few extra ingredients to make it extra rich in nutrients and calories.
We’ve only had a couple of cold snaps, but I’m ready for the next! My little birds will be fat happy birds.
This recipe was easy to whip up and then I put it in the freezer so it was completely solid before placing outside.
Is Bird Suet Only for Winter?
Because bird suet is full of fatty ingredients and higher in calories, it’s best reserved for winter and cooler temps. The warmer temperatures of summer and early fall will melt, leaving a mess in your yard. I have also learned that dripping beef fat can damage natural waterproofing on bird feathers.
It made exactly enough to fill 2 of the paper cups I had. I could have hung two separate ones, but I only had one plastic mesh bag. You can also use a suet mold.
My girlfriend laughed at me when I was shopping for the perfect mesh bag instead of what was inside. This one came with fingerling potatoes ….. which I can’t wait to eat.
Homemade Bird Suet Recipe
Substitute seeds or bird food for specific species
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Bacon Fat (substitute with lard or shortening)
- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1 Cup Cornmeal
- 1 Cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1 Cup bird seed - Black Sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Melt peanut butter and bacon fat in the microwave for a minute or so, mix well.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients and stir well.
- Spoon into paper cups and place in the freezer or refrigerator
- Once it's cooled completely, tear the cup away from the suet and place into the mesh bag.
- I tied twine around the opening end and secured it enough to hang from a tree.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 2 1/2 cupsAmount Per Serving:Calories: 1680Total Fat: 120gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 80gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 4254mgCarbohydrates: 124gFiber: 19gSugar: 7gProtein: 40g
What Birds will Suet Attract?
Mine has attracted the chickadees and finches in my yard. I’ve read that suet with beef fat also attracts insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice.
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably have seen my “bird cam” highlight for my window bird feeder. It was a gift from my son and it’s been the most fun!
My Favorite Bird Feeder Products
Here are a few of my favorite bird-related items.
Wild Birds of Joy Window Bird Feeder
This feeder is on my office window and its been entertaining to watch all the birds. It took a couple of weeks before they found it, but now they visit daily.
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How to Make a Birdseed Wreath
Making a birdseed wreath is easy with a bundt pan, birdseed and a few ingredients.
Jill says
I made this today and already had woodpeckers on it!
Kim says
Oh good! Thank you!
Marilyn Jacobs says
Could I use Steel Cut Quick Oatmeal?
Thanks
Kim says
I have never made it with steel-cut oats. But after a quick google search, yes, you can use steel-cut oats.
Dale Gjerning says
Just found this recipe. How well does it hold up during the summer temps and rain? I live in Virginia and we do have hot days in the 90+degree ranges.
Kim says
Hi Dale, this suet recipe is intended for winter. It would be a goopy mess in any type of heat
Cookie17 says
We feed birds every day have woodpeckers cardnal’s chickadee,bluejay & they love food .I have food hanging off our deck ,have big saucer,kind that goes under flower pots use for water not to deep & heater in it I watch them they funny black bird & wood pecker in fight for suet Wood pecker won,,lol So people need care for them like any God’s creatures..Lard best use but what you have in recipe fine ..Thank’s…
Louise Young says
I’m wondering if that bacon fat might have too much salt.
Wouldn’t it be better to buy suet from your local butcher or your local grocery store?
Kim says
Many recipes call for bacon fat and many call for just lard. I was thinking the same thing. I used what I had on hand.