Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2023	Apr. 02, 2022
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interests	$ 1,231,629	$ 2,227,115
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(7,800) and $16,800 for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively	(24,575)	53,476
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $100 and $(1,700) for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively	175	(5,390)
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the first quarter of 2023 and 2022	(3,441)	22,692
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,841)	70,778
Comprehensive income	1,203,788	2,297,893
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	95,087	131,492
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 1,108,701	$ 2,166,401