Braised Beef Cheeks Recipe

Are you ready to discover a truly special dish? We’re diving into the world of beef cheeks recipe, a hidden gem that transforms into a melt-in-your-mouth delight! Beef cheeks, when cooked right, boast a flavor that can even rival a steak.

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These hardworking muscles are packed with collagen, resulting in tender and intensely flavorful results. This recipe offers a chance to create an experience. Imagine the savory aromas filling your kitchen, promising a heartwarming meal!

This beef cheeks recipe is designed to guide you, whether you are experienced or not. Slow cooking yields truly delicious beef. It is an easy beef cheeks recipe if you just follow the instruction

Get ready to unlock the secrets of making this gourmet delight. Prepare for your taste buds to be tantalized! Let’s get going! This is sure to be your new comfort food!

Key Benefits of Cooking Beef Cheeks

Beef cheeks are a winner in the kitchen. One of the best perks is how tender they become. All that collagen transforms into a texture that is simply unmatched.

Flavor? The slow cooking process allows the meat to soak up all the delicious flavors from the herbs and vegetables. Nutrients include a good amount of protein, which is important for your muscles. They’re also a source of iron.

Preparing beef cheeks is also gentle on your wallet, offering a tasty and flavorful gourmet experience. For all these reasons, beef cheeks make a must try. They can elevate any food lovers experience. Also, after cooking, beef cheeks have a naturally gelatinous nature.

What you need for this Beef Cheeks recipe

Making the ultimate beef cheeks recipe starts with good ingredients. Quality is key for the best results.

You’ll need about 2.5 to 3 pounds of beef cheeks. Choose pieces that are a deep red with nice marbling. For flavor, grab 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves.

For the braising liquid, you’ll need 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth, 1 cup of diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, and a bouquet garni of thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.

Lastly, add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional). With the ingredients ready, creating a memorable beef cheeks meal is yours. The final result is delicious beef.

How to make this Beef Cheeks Recipe

Now it’s time to cook our beef cheeks recipe. Follow these steps carefully for the most flavorful, tender results.

1. Sear: Dry the beef cheeks and season well. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot. Sear the beef cheeks in batches until browned on all sides. Don’t overcrowd the pot! Then, set aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Deglaze: Pour beef broth into the pot, scraping up browned bits. Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
4. Braise: Return beef cheeks to the pot, nestling them in the liquid. Add the bouquet garni. Simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low.
5. Slow Cook: Braise for 3-4 hours, or until fork-tender. Check liquid levels, adding more broth if needed.
6. Shred and Serve: Remove beef cheeks and shred with forks. Discard the bouquet garni. Return shredded beef to the pot and stir. Serve hot and enjoy the savory beef cheeks.

Pro Tips and Variations

Here are pro tips to make your beef cheeks recipe even better.

• Perfect Sear: Ensure the pot is hot! Get a deep crust for flavor and moisture.
• Braising Time: Start checking for tenderness after 3 hours and cook until soft.
• Flavor Boost: Add balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce for complexity. Consider smoked paprika or cumin for a twist.
• Slow Cooker: Sear beef cheeks, then transfer to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• Instant Pot: Sear using the sauté function, then add ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 45-50 minutes with a natural release.

For more insight into choosing the best cuts of meat, resources like Understanding Beef Grades  can be invaluable. You will get the most fall-apart beef cheeks if you choose good beef to start with.

Serving Suggestions

This beef cheeks recipe is very versatile. Here are ways to serve and enjoy this comfort food.

• Classic Mash: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
• Polenta Base: Offer gluten-free and serve over polenta.
• Pasta Power: Toss with pappardelle or tagliatelle for a hearty pasta dish. Add Parmesan and parsley.
• Taco Filling: Use as a filling for tacos or burritos, topped with your favorite taco toppings.
• Shepherd’s Pie: Replace ground meat in shepherd’s pie.

To truly appreciate the depth of flavor in your beef cheeks, understanding the concept of umami is key. Resources such as Discovering Umami Flavor from BBC Good Food can provide valuable insights. These serving ideas work great for beef cheeks stew or beef cheeks ragu

Conclusion

You’ve now unlocked how to make incredible beef cheeks recipe. Each step, from searing to braising, is important for rich flavor and tenderness.

Remember to use quality ingredients and don’t be afraid to explore new options. There are so many ways to enjoy your beef cheeks, whether it is creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, pasta, or tacos.

Remember, though, to think about the tools you use as well. Be sure to utilize a high-quality braising pot to create the most even heating and thus the richest flavor. Be sure to look to Serious Eats Choosing the Right Braising Pot.

Give this beef cheeks recipe a shot, and let us know how you make it your own! What’s stopping you? Dig in and enjoy those yummy tastes! This is a very easy beef cheeks recipe and the perfect way to cook beef cheeks

FAQs

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Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks

Ava

These slow-cooked Beef Cheeks are braised in a rich red sauce until meltingly tender. Serve over creamy mashed potatoes for a fine dining experience at home. This recipe is perfect for an elegant dinner party or a hearty midweek meal, with instructions for slow cooker, pressure cooker, and stovetop methods.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 586 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 tbsp olive oil divided
• 1.5 kg 3 lb beef cheeks (4 large or 6 small beef cheeks)
• 1 onion white, brown, or yellow, roughly diced (~1 cup)
• 1 celery stalk roughly diced (~1 cup)
• 1 carrot roughly diced (~¾ cup)
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 6 stems of fresh thyme or 1 ½ tsp dried thyme leaves
• 4 dried bay leaves or 3 fresh bay leaves
• 1 cup 250 ml beef stock (broth)
• 2-3 tsp salt divided
• Black pepper

Instructions

 

Prepare the Beef Cheeks:

• Trim large fatty membranes from the beef cheeks.
• Pat dry and season with 1 tsp salt and black pepper.

Brown the Beef Cheeks:

• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy-based pot over high heat.
• Sear half of the beef cheeks on each side until browned. Repeat with remaining cheeks. Remove and set aside.

Prepare the Base:

• Lower heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Sauté garlic and onion for 3 minutes until translucent.
• Add celery and carrot, sauté for another 3 minutes.

Cooking Methods:

Choose your preferred method: Slow Cooker:

• Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker and place beef cheeks on top.
• Deglaze the pot with Tomato Juice, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 1 minute. Pour over the beef cheeks.
• Add remaining ingredients, starting with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 6 hours (for 250g/8oz cheeks).

Pressure Cooker:

• Follow the same steps as the slow cooker but cook on High pressure for 1 hour.

Stovetop/Oven:

• Add Tomato Juice to the pot with the onion mixture and deglaze.
• Add remaining ingredients, cover, and simmer on medium-low for 2.5 hours (stovetop) or bake at 160°C/320°F for 3.5 hours (oven).

Finish the Sauce:

• Remove beef cheeks from the liquid and discard thyme stems and bay leaves.
• Use a stick blender to puree the braising liquid until smooth.
• Simmer on the stove for 10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve:

• Return beef cheeks to the sauce to warm through.
• Serve over creamy mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower with sauce generously drizzled on top.

Notes

• Beef cheeks can be substituted with boneless beef short ribs cut into 250g/8oz pieces.
• Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months.
• Nutrition excludes mashed potatoes.  
  Nutrition Information (per serving):
  • Calories: 586
  • Protein: 49g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fat: 33g
  • Sodium: 2195mg

Keyword beef cheeks, braised beef, Italian beef recipe, slow-cooked beef