Description

Beef cheek meat is a culinary gem prized for its deep, beefy flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness when cooked low and slow. Sourced from the hardworking facial muscles of the cow, this cut transforms into a luxurious, protein-rich dish perfect for braising, stewing, and slow cooking. Discover what beef cheek meat is good for, its nutritional benefits, and how to use it in a variety of comforting and globally inspired meals.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs beef cheek meat, trimmed

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups beef broth

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

Instructions

Season and Sear: Pat beef cheeks dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef cheeks on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened, then stir in garlic and tomato paste.
Deglaze: Scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Braise: Return beef cheeks to the pot. Add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3–4 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
Finish and Serve: Remove herbs and serve beef cheeks with mashed potatoes, polenta, or roasted vegetables. Spoon the reduced sauce over the top.

Notes

For a slow cooker version, follow steps 1–3 and transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.

You can also use beef cheeks in tacos, pasta sauces, or stews.

Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months for easy meal prep.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Lunch
Method: Braising
Cuisine: Global-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion (about 6 oz cooked meat)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: what is beef cheek meat good for, how to cook beef cheeks, braised beef cheeks, slow-cooked beef, rich beef recipes