Homemade suet recipes

Had a request for my homemade bird suet recipe.

While I didn't actually use any particular recipe, I did peruse the internet for ideas / proportions before I made it on my own. At the time I decided to try making suet from scratch, I was also trying to avoid making a trip to the store... so I just improvised and used stuff I already had around the house. Mine turned out a little "sticky" but, the birds seem to like it.

In my usual fashion... I didn't really measure anything, so, here's a guess at my concoction:

2 c. lard
2 c. peanut butter
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. mixed bird seed
1 c. flour

Here are some of the actual recipes I pulled ideas from... let me know if you try any and if you think they work!

Birder's Delight
1 Pound Suet cut in small pieces
1 Cup Yellow Cornmeal
1 Cup Rolled Oats
1 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter
1 Cup Mixed Wild Bird Seed
1 Cup Hulled Sunflower Seed or Chopped Pecans

Preparation:
1. Melt suet over low flame.
2. Stir in ingredients.
3. Pour or pack into molds, feeders, or any household item.
4. Refrigerate until hardened or freeze.

Feathered Friends
1 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter
2 Cups Cornmeal
2 Cups Quick Cook Oats
1 Cup Lard or Suet
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Cup White Flour

Preparation:
1. Melt lard/suet and peanut butter together and stir.
2. Stir the remaining ingredients.
3. Pour the mixture into a square container about 1-1/2 inches thick.
4. Allow it to cool, then cut it into squares and store in the freezer.

It Must be Love
1/2 Pound Fresh Suet
1/3 Cup Black Oil Sunflower Seed
2/3 Cup Mixed Wild Bird Seed
1/8 Cup Chopped Peanuts or Chopped Pecans
1/4 Cup Raisins

Preparation:
1. Follow instructions for rendering suet.
2. While suet is cooling, stir ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Place the suet into the mixture and mix thoroughly.
4. Pour or pack into molds, feeders, or any household item.
5. Refrigerate until hardened or freeze.

Peanut Butter Sandwich
1 Cup Fresh Suet
1 Cup Peanut Butter
3 Cups Yellow Cornmeal
1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

Preparation:
1. Follow instructions for rendering suet.
2. Over low heat, melt suet and add peanut butter. Stir until well blended.
3. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Pour suet into the bowl mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Pour or pack into molds, feeders, or any household item.
6. Refrigerate until hardened or freeze.


Captain Crunch!
2 Pounds Fresh Ground Suet
1/2 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Shelled Sunflower Seeds or Chopped Pecans

Preparation:
1. Melt suet in a saucepan over low heat.
2. Add peanut butter, stirring until melted and well blended.
3. Stir in the sunflower seeds. Mix thoroughly.
4. Pour or pack into molds, feeders, or any household item.
5. Refrigerate until hardened or freeze

And... if you're looking for a little more information about feeding the birds and/or using / making your own suet, here are some links to check out:

http://www.walterreeves.com/how_to/article.phtml?cat=26&id=269
http://www.the-scoop-on-wild-birds-and-feeders.com/suetbirdfood.html
http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa101800a.htm
http://www.birdsforever.com/suet.html