If you’ve never cooked beef cheeks before, you’re in for a game-changing experience. This cut of meat might not be as popular as a ribeye or brisket, but once you taste its rich, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been cooking it all along. Thanks to its high collagen content, beef cheek meat transforms into an incredibly succulent and flavorful dish when slow-cooked.
The best part? It requires very little effort on your part. After a quick sear to lock in all those delicious juices, you can let your slow cooker or oven do the rest of the work, allowing the meat to break down over several hours into something truly magical.
The result is a dish so tender that it practically falls apart with just a fork, making it perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, polenta, or even tucked into tacos. Whether you’re looking for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it dinner or a meal that tastes like it came straight from a high-end restaurant, slow cooked beef cheek meat is the ultimate comfort food that never disappoints.
Want more comforting beef dishes? Check out our Keto Beef Stew for another cozy meal idea.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooked Beef Cheek Meat
- Unbelievably tender Beef cheek meat is packed with connective tissue that, when slow-cooked, transforms into the most succulent, fork-tender bites.
- Rich, deep flavor The marbling and collagen create a velvety, luxurious texture and taste.
- Effortless cooking A little seasoning, a few hours of slow cooking, and voilà you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal.
- Versatile dish Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or tucked into tacos for a twist.
For more protein-packed slow cooker meals, don’t miss our High Protein Crock Pot Recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Beef Cheeks
- I usually order mine online from US Wellness Meats because they consistently offer high-quality cuts. If you’re lucky, your local butcher might carry them too!
Seasoning Mix
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
How to Cook Beef Cheeks to Perfection
Step 1: Prep & Season
Pat the beef cheeks dry with a paper towel (this helps them brown better). Generously season both sides with the spice mix, making sure to coat every inch for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and sear the beef cheeks for about 3-4 minutes per side, until a deep golden crust forms. This step locks in those bold flavors.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Transfer the seared beef cheeks to a slow cooker. Add a splash of broth or red wine for extra depth. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours, until the meat is fall-apart tender.
Looking for more delicious slow cooker meals? Try our Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes for easy, set-it-and-forget-it dinners.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
Shred the beef cheeks with two forks and serve over creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, or even inside tacos. The possibilities are endless!
Need ideas for Sunday dinner? Pair this dish with recipes from Sunday Meal Ideas for a stress-free weekend feast.
Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks
- Don’t skip the sear! It adds an extra layer of flavor.
- Low and slow is key. Patience pays off when it comes to cheek meat.
- Leftovers? Even better. Store cooked beef cheeks in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for future easy meals.
Planning a meal train or looking for bulk meal prep ideas? Beef cheeks are perfect! Get more inspiration from Easy Meal Train Ideas.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! If you can’t find beef cheeks, short ribs or chuck roast are great alternatives.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Pressure cook on HIGH for 75 minutes, then do a natural release for 15 minutes.
Slow cooked beef cheek meat is comfort food at its finest rich, hearty, and packed with deep, slow-cooked flavors. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a meal to impress, this dish delivers every time. Give it a try, and prepare to fall in love!
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EASY Slow Cooked Beef Cheek Meat: Melt-in-Your-Mouth
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This slow-cooked beef cheek meat recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Thanks to its high collagen content, cheek meat becomes irresistibly tender and flavorful when cooked low and slow. With minimal effort, you’ll achieve a restaurant-quality dish that falls apart with a fork. Serve it over mashed potatoes, polenta, or use it for beef cheek meat barbacoa tacos.
Ingredients
Beef Cheeks
- 2 lbs beef cheeks (trimmed of excess fat)
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
Cooking Liquid
- 1 cup beef broth or red wine
For Serving (Optional)
- Mashed potatoes
- Polenta
- Warm tortillas (for tacos)
Instructions
Pat the beef cheek meat dry with a paper towel to ensure a good sear. Generously season both sides with the spice mix, making sure to coat every inch.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Sear the beef cheeks for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. This step enhances the dish’s bold flavors.
Transfer the seared cooked beef cheeks to a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth or red wine for extra depth. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours until the meat is incredibly tender.
Remove the slow cooked beef cheeks from the cooker and shred them using two forks. Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or as beef cheek meat barbacoa in warm tortillas.
Notes
- Smoking Beef Cheek Meat: For an extra smoky flavor, you can smoke the beef cheeks at 250°F (120°C) for 4-5 hours before transferring them to the slow cooker.
- Instant Pot Version: Pressure cook on HIGH for 75 minutes, followed by a 15-minute natural release for the same fall-apart tenderness.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: slow cooked beef cheeks, beef cheek meat barbacoa, smoking beef cheek meat, cooked beef cheeks, cheek meat, braised beef cheeks, slow cooker beef