Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 36,734	$ 81,631	$ 30,491
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized losses on derivatives arising during period, net of tax (expense) benefit of $2,854, $2,967, and $10,494, respectively	(6,788)	(5,048)	(18,744)
Reclassification of realized (gains) losses on derivatives, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2,887), $2,306, and $(8,830), respectively	6,669	(3,925)	15,772
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(119)	(8,973)	(2,972)
Comprehensive income	36,615	72,658	27,519
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	20,811	20,570	19,828
Comprehensive income attributable to Green Plains	$ 15,804	$ 52,088	$ 7,691