20 Best Beef Cheek Recipes To Try (2024)

Beef cheeks are incredibly delicious with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s just irresistible!

It’s an underrated cut of meat with marbling that makes it a perfect ingredient to ensure juicy meat every single time.

Whether you love them braised, slow-cooked, or smoked, you just can’t go wrong when cooking beef cheeks!

From braised dishes to beef tacos, we’ve got you covered with some of the best beef cheek recipes that you can easily try at home!

1. Slow Braised Beef Cheek Ragu With Pappardelle

Enjoy an amazing Beef Cheek Ragu that’s extremely delicious and is sure to tantalize your taste buds!

The beef cheeks are seared and simmered in a mixture of red wine, beef stock, tomato paste, and other delightful ingredients, ensuring tender meat and plenty of incredible flavors at the end.

When paired with pappardelle, it becomes a terrific pasta dish that’s sure to satisfy any appetite.

Everything comes together really nicely in this braised beef cheek recipe that makes for an unforgettable meal!

2. Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks In Honey, Soy, Garlic Butter Sauce

This is one of the most flavorful slow cooker beef cheek recipes and you definitely don’t want to miss out on it!

Seasoned with a variety of spices that includes paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder, the beef cheeks are guaranteed to be delicious when cooked.

The sauce is a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar, and it’s poured over the meat in a slow cooker to cook alongside aromatics that impart depth and complexity to the flavor.

It’s a taste explosion in your mouth with every bite and you can enjoy an awesome meal just by serving it with steamed rice!

3. Beef Cheeks With Parmesan Polenta

For a hearty and amazingly delicious dish, you’ve got to check out this fantastic Beef Cheeks with Parmesan Polenta recipe!

Slow-cooked in a mixture of beef stock, red wine, aromatics, and herbs, the beef cheeks are incredibly flavorsome and so tender that they fall apart easily.

Served on top of a creamy and buttery Parmesan polenta, it’s a wholesome dish that you can enjoy any day of the week!

The lovely taste will definitely have you add this to your list of favorite beef cheek recipes!

4. Beef Cheek Birria Taco

Savor terrific Beef Cheek Birria Tacos that are incredibly tasty with this superb recipe that you’ll absolutely want to try for your next Taco Tuesday!

Marinated in a blended mixture of Mexican chilies, chipotle, aromatics, beer, and other delightful ingredients, the meat is extremely flavorful and incredibly yummy.

They are made even tastier when simmered with herbs to cook until tender, adding loads of depth and complexity to the flavor in the process.

When combined with tortillas, they become one of the best beef cheek tacos you’ll ever taste!

5. Beef Cheeks And Hummus

Level up your cooking skills with this top-notch beef cheek recipe that’s sure to impress with its great looks and taste!

The beef is browned in a skillet, then simmered in a mixture of red wine and tomato purée along with onions, leeks, and carrots, before being slow-cooked in the oven until tender.

Paired with creamy hummus, this dish is packed with unbelievable flavors that’ll whet your appetite and it just tastes superb.

It might take some time to cook but it’s really simple and you’ll know it’s all worth it once you take that first bite!

6. Beef Cheek, Pancetta And Mushroom Pies

These pies are superbly tasty and they are the perfect pasty for breakfast, brunch, tea break, or pretty much any time of the day!

With a filling of incredibly tender and flavorful meat, savory pancetta, and mixed mushrooms, these pies taste out of this world and every bite is bursting with great flavors.

The crisp and buttery pastry is just the cherry on top and everyone will be fighting for seconds with how delectable these pies are.

Give it a try and you’ll definitely not regret it!

7. Braised Beef Cheeks With Shallot Jus

Make your next meal a little special with one of our favorite beef cheek recipes that creates an elegant dish fit for special occasions!

Simmered in a mixture of vegetables, red wine, tomato paste, and other lovely herbs, the beef cheeks are extremely tender and flavorful, making it a mouthwatering delight.

The meat is enhanced with a topping of fragrant shallot jus and when you set them atop mashed potatoes, you have a wholesome meal that everyone will definitely enjoy.

It’s a great addition to your meal rotation and an awesome way to feast on tasty beef cheeks!

8. Asian Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks

Inject a little Asian flair to your next meal with these terrific slow-cooked beef cheeks that are incredibly tender and amazingly delicious!

Braised in a flavorsome mixture of hoisin sauce, kecap manis, soy sauce, cooking wine, lemongrass, ginger, and garlic, the beef cheeks are packed with mind-blowing flavors that are just irresistible.

The oven does most of the cooking as well when they are baked until tender, making it a breeze to whip up this tasty dish!

Paired with carrot purée and a dipping sauce made by blending garlic, chili, and green onions, this is a heavenly dish that you definitely need to try!

9. Authentic Beef Cheek Barbacoa (Instant Pot)

This instant pot beef cheek recipe makes such tasty barbacoa and it’s an absolute must-try dish in our books!

Cooked under pressure with a variety of spices and herbs that includes cumin, oregano, and bay leaf, the meat is extremely tender and succulent.

Get some warm tortillas and top them with cooked beef, pico de gallo, cilantro, and salsa, and you’ll have a marvelous meal to enjoy!

You’ll be gobbling these down like no tomorrow because they are just that delicious!

10. Sweet Soy Braised Beef Cheeks With Mango Salad

Spruce up your next meal with these Asian-inspired braised beef cheeks that make for an awesome meal any day of the week!

There’s no lack of flavor in this dish with the beef cooked in a mixture of beef stock, lemongrass, star anise, kecap manis, aromatics, and many other delightful ingredients.

Served with a side of mango salad topped with a dressing made by blending sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and sugar, this is a super appetizing dish that you just can’t wait to devour.

If you love strong and bold flavors, this is definitely the dish for you!

11. Beef Daube

Grace your taste buds with an amazingly delicious beef daube loaded with incredible flavors that are sure to please!

Marinated overnight in red wine, then braised in a mixture of vegetables, orange juice, prunes, mushrooms, and other herbs, the beef cheeks are super tender and they taste fantastic.

The braising sauce is puréed for better texture and flavor before combining it with the meat again to serve alongside any of your favorite carbs.

It’s a scrumptious dish that definitely has a place in any meal you want to give an upgrade to!

12. Smoked Beef Cheeks

Fire up your smoker and try out this splendid Smoked Beef Cheeks recipe that’s oh-so-yummy and just irresistible!

It’s ridiculously easy to make and what you’ll need to do is get your favorite beef rub and season the beef cheek meat before smoking it at 275°F (135°C).

Then braise the meat in beer, butter, and brown sugar until it becomes tender and superbly flavorful.

You’ll love how the meat falls apart easily and it’s so tasty!

For more smoky goodness, be sure to check out our Pit Boss Smoker recipes!

13. Slow Cooked Beef Cheek Casserole

Expand your cooking repertoire with a simple casserole recipe that makes such delicious beef, perfect for a hearty meal!

Cooked in the oven with red wine, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bacon, and mushrooms, the meat is loaded with sweet and savory flavors and the mixture of ingredients makes it a really wholesome dish.

The oven does most of the cooking so it’s really easy to whip this up when you’re planning an awesome meal for the family!

It’s so tasty and you’ll likely have a new favorite dish after trying it!

14. Beef Cheek Barbacoa

Amplify your meals with a fantastic barbacoa dish that tastes superb and it’s so easy to make!

Rubbed with a spice mixture of cumin, oregano, chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper, the cheeks are placed in beef broth and topped with onions and bay leaves, with everything wrapped in foil and left to let the flavors meld overnight.

Cooked low and slow the next day, you’ll end up with amazing tender and flavorsome meat that you can enjoy with warm tortillas to enjoy a simple but satisfying meal.

You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up something that tastes this good!

15. Beef Cheeks With Herbed Sauce

Sign us up for this terrific dish that’s exceptionally delicious with tender beef and a flavorful green herbed sauce!

Seared beef cheeks are cooked with vegetables, herbs, tomato paste, beef stock, red wine, and sherry, ensuring plenty of depth and complexity to the flavor of the meat.

Topped with a herbed sauce made by combining garlic with oil, mint leaves, and parsley leaves, the meat is given an easy upgrade and you’ll salivate when the aroma hits your nose.

Serve with a side of potato purée for a simple and wholesome meal!

16. Sous Vide Beef Cheeks

If you have a sous vide machine, you’ve got to check out this wonderful recipe that makes tasty beef cheeks every single time!

Vacuum-sealed into a pouch with rosemary sprigs, garlic, and seasonings, the meat is cooked in a water bath for 48 hours before searing to give it better color and flavor.

It’s incredibly easy to make with the sous vide machine doing all the cooking and although it requires some time, it’s well worth it for what is essentially an effortless meal!

And with the beef consistently tasty, you’ll get the urge to make it again not before long!

17. Beef Minestrone Soup

Enjoy delectable comfort food with this hearty Beef Minestrone Soup that’s one of our favorite beef cheek recipes!

Cooked and simmered with a combination of lovely ingredients that include red wine, vegetables, bacon, tomato paste, and cherry tomatoes, this is a soup that you’ll definitely sip till the last drop!

Everything comes together really nicely with tender beef and vegetables providing loads of nutrients and complex flavors in this minestrone soup.

Serve with some crusty homemade bread to mop up all that delicious soup!

18. Cocoa-Braised Beef Cheeks

Experience a culinary delight with these fantastic braised beef cheeks that you absolutely must try!

The meat is simmered in a mixture of red wine, cocoa powder, carrot, onion, celery, and tomatoes, rendering plenty of amazing flavors to create a wonderful dish.

The rich and bold flavors create a mind-blowing taste sensation in your mouth with every bite of the tasty beef cheeks and they are incredibly succulent.

It’s a heavenly dish that you definitely don’t want to miss out on because it’s just that tasty!

19. Beef Cheek Chilli

Mix things up a little and try making this chili that’s superbly tasty and a great way to enjoy tasty beef cheeks!

It’s a lovely combination of tender beef, bell pepper, kidney beans, chipotle chili, adobo sauce, and a whole variety of spices that add tons of flavor to this dish.

Served with a dollop of sour cream and homemade salsa, this is a delectable dish that’s sure to please your taste buds!

20. Beef Cheek Burgers With Mushroom Mayo & Pickles

If you haven’t tried Beef Cheek Burgers before, you don’t know what you’ve been missing out on!

Tender and flavorsome beef that has been slow-cooked in a mixture of stout, aromatics, and spices, is combined with an outstanding mushroom mayonnaise and delivered in between two burger buns for an awesome feast.

It’s a mouthwatering dish that’s exceptionally delicious and there’s just something about the tender meat that makes you want to gobble up the burger.

You’ll definitely want to mark this as a must-try for your next meal!

At Glorious Recipes, we have our favorite Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Cheeks recipe that we absolutely adore and they taste heavenly! Check out the recipe below!

Yield: 4

Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Cheeks

20 Best Beef Cheek Recipes To Try (1)

Indulge in tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef cheeks braised to perfection with this simple recipe!

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time3 hours

Total Time3 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2½ lb beef cheeks (4 pieces)
  • 1 large yellow/brown onion, diced
  • 2 small celery sticks, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 13½ oz red wine
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 10 black peppercorns
  • olive oil
  • salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Remove any excess fat and connective tissues from the beef cheeks. Prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Add a little olive oil to a large pot over high heat. Season beef with salt, then sear the meat on all sides to caramelize for better flavor and color. Set aside.
  3. Add a little more oil and add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook them for a few minutes, then add tomato paste. Cook to remove the raw tomato taste, then add red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping any brown bits at the bottom.
  4. Lower the heat and add the remaining ingredients (garlic. thyme, cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns). Add back beef cheeks and enough water to cover the meat completely.
  5. Add a touch of salt to the liquid and cover the pot with a lid. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 2½ hours, stirring and turning the meat occasionally. Top up with water if required.
  6. The beef is done when it's fork-tender and almost falling apart. Serve over mashed potatoes and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 904Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 247mgSodium: 334mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 76g

Nutrition information is only an estimate and can vary depending on ingredients used.

Did you make this recipe?

Follow and tag us on Instagram or Pinterest @GloriousRecipes! We would love to see what you have made!

Which of the beef cheek recipes have you tried so far?

Let us know in the comments below!

For more awesome beef recipes that you might like, check out the following:

Veal Chop
Sirloin Tip Roast
Chuck Steak
Beef Cubes
Bottom Round Steak
Steak and Rice
Recipes with Beef Broth
Canned Beef
Shaved Steak
Beef Shank

Share on your favorite social media platform and tag us @GloriousRecipes – we can’t wait to see what you have made!

20 Best Beef Cheek Recipes To Try (2024)

FAQs

What is beef cheek meat good for? ›

Beef cheeks (cachete de res in Hispanic recipes) are cuts of meat from, you guessed it, the cheek muscles. The tender meat is an excellent choice for making various appetizers, stews, soups, sandwiches, and main dishes.

What are beef cheeks called in USA? ›

Also known as barbacoa meat, beef cheek meat is great in tacos, quesadillas, burritos and other delicious dishes. What is beef cheek meat? Beef cheeks come from the face of the cow, next to the jaw muscle. Our cheek meat produces a wonderful, melt-in-your-mouth bite packed with traditional flavor.

What is the difference between ox cheek and beef cheek? ›

Ox cheek, also referred to as beef cheek, is a cut of beef that comes from the cheek muscles of a cow. It has as much rich and delicious taste as ox tail so is a great option for stews and casseroles. Its full taste is usually because it's an extremely strong and well-worked muscle over the cow's lifetime.

Is it possible to overcook beef cheeks? ›

Can you overcook beef cheeks? Because beef cheeks are a tough secondary cut with a lot of muscle, they are perfectly suited to slow-cooking, and it would be very hard to overcook them!

Are beef cheeks healthy to eat? ›

There Are Many Health Benefits

Beef cheeks are a great lightweight alternative to traditional cuts. Beef cheeks are lower in calories and fat and higher in protein than most popular steaks. Plus, they have more immune-supporting vitamins (vitamin C and B) and 200 percent more iron than traditional cuts.

Why are my beef cheeks tough? ›

The cheeks contain frequently used muscles that are necessary for chewing food, which means that they consist of a large amount of collagen. Collagen is the connective tissue within the cheek muscles that can make the meat tough, which is why beef cheeks should be cooked for a very long time through braising.

What do Mexicans call cheek meat? ›

A taco stand advertising tacos de cabeza in Tijuana, Mexico. Typically, the whole head is placed on a steamer or grill, and customers may ask for particular parts of the body meats they favor, such as ojo (eye), oreja (ear), cachete (cheek), lengua (tongue), or labios (lips).

How many beef cheeks per person? ›

Beef cheeks are generally big in size, so we'd recommend one beef cheek per person. Tip: If your piece has a lot of excess fat or sinew on it, trim this off before you start cooking — it won't cook out and will remain tough.

Is beef cheek expensive? ›

Are Beef Cheeks expensive? Beef Cheeks used to be one of the cheaper cuts & referred to as an Offal cut by the wholesalers. Recently modern chefs are using cuts like this in todays recipes, the demand & price have increased. We offer these at a reasonable price because we make them as a wholesale meat cut.

What is closest to beef cheeks? ›

SUBSTITUTES FOR BEEF CHEEKS

We believe Beef Cheeks are the undisputed King of all slow cooking / braised beef cuts. That being said, the closest substitutes for Beef Cheeks would be either braised Beef Short Ribs (cooked for an extra-long time) or Beef Oxtail.

Do beef cheeks taste like steak? ›

Beef cheeks have a rich, beefy flavor and—when properly smoked—a tender texture, similar to short rib. Learn how to make flavorful smoked beef cheeks at home.

Are beef cheeks a cheap cut? ›

While beef cheeks are less popular today than they were in the past, they're one of the best cheap cuts of meat for slow cooking. They feature an ultra-beefy flavor, and cooking it in liquid brings it out fully. Another underappreciated cheap cut of meat is the bavette.

Should you wrap beef cheeks? ›

To get beef cheeks to that final tenderness test I have found more often than not we need to wrap and capture all the steam from our liquid to get over that final hurdle and breakdown that collagen seam. If not broken down it will be like a rubber band wrapped in beef.

How long do beef cheeks last in the fridge? ›

Storage and Leftovers

Once cooked, braised beef cheeks will keep in the fridge a week. You can definitely freeze leftovers, too. Or you can shred out the meat, mix it with the sauce and pressure can it as if it were beef stew.

How long do raw beef cheeks last in the fridge? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

Is beef cheek tender or tough? ›

Beef Cheeks are the cheek muscle of cows and they are a very tough cut of meat that needs to be cooked long and slow to make it tender. It absorbs the flavours of braising liquid well and when you cut into it, it is stringy, almost like pulled pork.

Are beef cheeks like brisket? ›

They're small mini pillows of the most incredibly rich beefy flavor and soft gelatinous seams. If you like barbecue brisket, you're going to love smoked beef cheeks.

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