A process has been developed for producing a hydrocarbon component useful as diesel fuel from biorenewable feedstocks such as plant oils and greases. The process involves hydrogenating and deoxygenating, i.e. decarboxylating and/or hydrodeoxygenating the feedstock to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel fuel. An optional pretreatment step to remove contaminants such as alkali metals from the feedstock can also be carried out. If desired, the hydrocarbon fraction can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties.