Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 12, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover page.
Entity Central Index Key	0000931336
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-12755
Entity Registrant Name	Dean Foods Co
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	75-2559681
Entity Address, Address Line One	2711 North Haskell Avenue Suite 3400
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75204
City Area Code	214
Local Phone Number	303-3400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	DFODQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 62
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		91,940,015