We like feeding wild birds homemade suet all year round, but don’t like paying a fortune for pre-made bird suet.
So, this is an easy and inexpensive recipe for homemade suet that the birds seem to love.
I’ve seen quite a few suet recipes that are aimed at feeding birds in winter, but this one holds up to the heat of the summer too so it can be used to feed the birds any time of year.
Using this, we see quite a variety of woodpeckers that don’t ever visit the normal seed feeders. It does take them a few days to find the suet once we hang it out though.
We occasionally have a pair of Downy Woodpeckers build a nest and raise a family during the summers, and I particularly like this recipe then.
Downy Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers Making A Nest
The woodpeckers seem to like it, and it holds up to the summer weather too. We enjoy watching them so much, we like to think we’re helping them with the babies.
Woodpeckers Feeding The Kids
How To Make Homemade Suet
It doesn’t take much to make this recipe for the birds. Just peanut butter, oatmeal, cornmeal, lard, flour, and sugar.
Peanut Butter Suet
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Cake Pan
- Freezer
Ingredients
- 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 2 cups "quick cook" oatmeal
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 1 1/2 cups lard
- 1 cup white flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
Instructions
- Melt the peanut butter and lard together in a pan over low heat, then mix in the remaining ingredients (while still on low heat).
- Press the mixture into a square or rectangular cake pan so that the mix is about 1 inch thick (or the thickness of your suet feeder.
- Freeze for an hour, and then cut into squares that will fit your feeder.
Notes
Woodpecker Coming Home
We occasionally get other visitors that enjoy the homemade suet too!
Suet Theif!
For even more information on feeding wild birds see “Feeding Wild Birds & Homemade Suet“.
Beth says
Can I use jarred beef tallow instead of lard? Thank you.
Lesa says
Hi Beth,
I haven’t tried using jarred beef tallow instead of lard, but I believe it should be ok. Typically, beef tallow is made from rendered fat from a cow whereas lard is made from rendered fat from a pig. Both should supply fat to the birds which is something that they need for energy. Let us know how it works!
Carol L says
Just wondering how healthy this is for birds. Are these ingredients that birds normally consume? I know many people feed popcorn to birds, but it kills them as they can’t digest it and it clogs them up. Peanuts are an underground crop, and sugar is highly refined…..yeah, sure they may LIKE it, but just because something likes a particular food does NOT mean it is good nor healthy for them to eat….
I’m NOT trying to be difficult, just want to make something that is safe, healthy and natural for them …Have you researched these ingredients to be sure they are safe for birds?
Thank you.
Lesa says
Hi Carol, the quick answer is, yes I’ve looked into these ingredients and they are safe for feeding wild birds. Of course, just like when we feed ourselves, using the best quality, organic ingredients is always healthier.
Diane says
Did you use corneal mix or just plain cornmeal? My store only have cornmeal mix and self rising cornmeal mix.
Lesa says
Hi Diane, It’s just plain cornmeal, like in the Amazon add below the post.
Pam Anthony says
This suet is amazing. It set up really well and the birds LOVE it!! Thank you for your recipe.
Lesa says
So glad it’s working for you and your birds!
Theresa Mcdermott says
I’m going shopping now to try this recipe, can I use shop bought peanut butter or do I need to make my own?
Lesa says
Hi Theresa,
You can absolutely use store bought peanut butter, this is supposed to be easy!
Laura A Miller says
We had about 500 birds during a recent snow. Stores were wiped out of supplies. I made this and they LOVED it !!!! I crumbled some up and tossed it out to them. Then I put some in our tree. What a crowd! I even had a sqirrel that I rarely see, run up the tree, 5 minutes after putting it out.. He must have smelled it! He was startled away and missed out. Broke my heart for him. So today I am making another batch, just for the squirrel and taking some to HIS tree! So easy! It was stuff I had on hand anyway. The chunky peanut butter makes it pop. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe with us!!!!!!!!
Laura A Miller says
We had about 500 birds during a recent snow. Stores were wiped out of supplies. I made this and they LOVED it !!!! I crumbled some up and tossed it out to them. Then I put some in our tree. What a crowd! I even had a sqirrel that I rarely see, run up the tree, 5 minutes after putting it out.. He must have smelled it! He was startled away and missed out. Broke my heart for him. So today I am making another batch, just for the squirrel and taking some to HIS tree! So easy! It was stuff I had on hand anyway. The chunky peanut butter makes it pop. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe with us!!!!!!!!
Tim says
The first batch I made was a major hit! I live on the foothills of Mt. Rainier and have tons of birds. We have around a dozen plus feeders so this was an added treat. Thanks!!
Lesa says
Hi Tim, So glad it’ working well for you and the birds!
Jerry Dempsey says
I was thinking of filling plastic water bottle cap with the suet mixture instead of making cakes. Do you think this is practical?
Lesa says
Hi Jerry, That sounds like it might be a bit tedious filling water bottle caps, let us know how it goes if you try it!
Christie says
I accidentally bought soy butter can I use that?
Lesa says
Hi Christie, I’ve never tried soy butter in this recipe and don’t think that I’d want to feed my birds soy butter.
Christie says
Yeah I’m not thinking they would like that. The label says all natural but I’ll get some real peanut butter lol thank you
Beth says
Instead of sugar, would it be ok to add corn syrup?
Lesa says
Hi Beth, I think that the sugar provides them with energy, I’ve never tried substituting corn syrup and don’t know how it would work.
Gael Allegra says
What is the purpose of the sugar in the recipe? I have read many birds can’t digest it. So I am thinking of leaving it out unless there is a specific purpose in adding it. Thanks
Lesa says
Hi Gael, I think it was included to help give the birds energy (carbohydrates). I’ll have to look into the digestibility of sugar for birds! Thanks