Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Balance Sheet - Parent Company Only) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 384,867	$ 425,510	$ 272,027	$ 254,289
Restricted cash	27,018	29,742
Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of $1,080 and $196, respectively	96,150	138,073
Income taxes receivable	9,104
Prepaid expenses and other	10,941	18,776
Total current assets	912,577	903,415
Property and equipment, net	922,070	825,210
Other assets	53,804	51,560
Total assets	1,929,328	1,821,062
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	168,528	170,199
Accrued liabilities	$ 38,706	65,083
Income taxes payable		2,907
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 4,507	63,465
Total current liabilities	438,669	511,540
Long-term debt	443,547	399,440
Deferred income taxes	81,797	107,740
Other liabilities	6,406	4,893
Total liabilities	970,419	1,023,613
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	45	45
Additional paid-in capital	577,787	569,431
Retained earnings	290,974	299,101
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,165)	(5,320)
Treasury stock	(69,811)	(65,808)
Total Green Plains stockholders' equity	797,830	797,449
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,929,328	1,821,062
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	273,294	252,689	$ 143,852	$ 100,051
Restricted cash	10,130	6,309
Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of $1,080 and $196, respectively	1,188	268
Income taxes receivable	9,104
Prepaid expenses and other	1,189	893
Due from subsidiaries	136	30,823
Total current assets	295,041	290,982
Property and equipment, net	3,811	4,147
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	605,042	611,311
Other assets	17,167	18,323
Total assets	921,061	924,763
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,889	2,098
Accrued liabilities	12,511	17,150
Income taxes payable		2,907
Total current liabilities	14,400	22,155
Long-term debt	105,393	100,845
Deferred income taxes	2,250	4,010
Other liabilities	23	304
Total liabilities	122,066	127,314
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	45	45
Additional paid-in capital	577,787	569,431
Retained earnings	290,974	299,101
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(5,320)
Treasury stock	(69,811)	(65,808)
Total Green Plains stockholders' equity	798,995	797,449
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	921,061	924,763
Accounts receivable, amounts from related parties	$ 1,080	$ 196