Description
Beef cheek meat is a hidden gem known for its deep flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Slow-cooked to perfection, this dish is ideal for tacos, stews, and hearty meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef cheek meat (alternatives: brisket, chuck roast)
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups beef broth (or water with beef bouillon)
- Juice of 2 limes
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Corn or flour tortillas (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the beef cheek meat and season with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sear the beef cheeks for about 3 minutes per side until browned.
- Transfer the meat to a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Add onions, garlic, beef broth, and lime juice. Cook on low for 8 hours (slow cooker) or high pressure for 3 hours (Instant Pot).
- Once tender, shred the beef cheeks and mix with the cooking juices. Serve with tortillas, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
Notes
For a healthier version, swap tortillas for lettuce wraps and use homemade broth to reduce sodium.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) or 3-4 hours (pressure cooker)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 32g
Keywords: beef cheek, slow-cooked beef, tacos, braised beef