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A plate of braised beef cheeks served with mashed potatoes and a rich sauce

How to Make Beef Cheek Meat: Flavorful Cooking

Beef cheek meat is rich in collagen and full of intense beefy flavor. When cooked low and slow, it transforms into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy, perfect for tacos, stews, and gourmet dishes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French, Italian, Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Sharp Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Dutch Oven
  • Slow Cooker (Optional)
  • Tongs
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredient

  • 2-3 lbs Beef Cheek Meat Trimmed of excess fat and sinew

Seasonings & Aromatics

  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 large Onion Diced
  • 2 Carrots Chopped
  • 2 stalks Celery Chopped
  • 2-3 Bay Leaves
  • 2-3 sprigs Thyme Fresh or 1 tsp dried
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 cup Red Wine Optional, substitute with beef broth
  • 2 cups Beef Broth
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

For Additional Flavor

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Trim the beef cheeks by removing any excess fat and sinew.
  • Pat the meat dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the beef cheeks for 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Remove the beef cheeks and set aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened.
  • Add minced garlic and tomato paste, stir for another minute until fragrant.
  • Deglaze the pot with red wine or beef broth, scraping up browned bits.
  • Return the beef cheeks to the pot, add beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and balsamic vinegar.
  • Cover and simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours until fork-tender. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Remove the beef cheeks, shred if desired, and finish with butter and Worcestershire sauce.

Notes

Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, tacos, or pasta. Customize seasoning to suit your taste.