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

Scale

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

. Prep & Season

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.

2. Sear for Maximum Flavor

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.

3. Slow Cook to Perfection

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.

4. Shred & Serve

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