Quarterly Results of Operations - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,395,007	$ 2,373,280	$ 2,393,869	$ 2,341,040	$ 2,295,450	$ 2,200,899	$ 2,227,542	$ 2,292,430	$ 9,503,196		$ 9,016,321		$ 9,274,662
Gross profit	441,400	416,800	399,088	416,175	445,770	441,285	472,300	495,232	1,673,463		1,854,587		2,095,259
Income (loss) from continuing operations	5,704	(15,136)	(963)	(9,792)	(37,362)	415,518	(32,057)	(20,740)	(20,187)		325,359		23,815
Net income (loss)	5,277	(15,972)	(645)	(8,956)	(37,677)	415,120	(53,883)	495,797	(20,296)		819,357		161,041
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company					$ (37,677)	$ 415,120	$ (56,870)	$ 492,605	$ (20,296)		$ 813,178		$ 158,622
Basic (per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.40)	$ 4.41	$ (0.34)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.22)	[1]	$ 8.67	[1]	$ 1.72	[1]
Diluted (per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.40)	$ 4.36	$ (0.34)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.22)	[1]	$ 8.58	[1]	$ 1.70	[1]

[1] Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share and average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-2 reverse stock split effected August 26, 2013.