Description
This smoked beef cheeks recipe delivers rich, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with deep smoky flavor in every bite. Perfect for BBQ lovers, it’s quicker than brisket and ideal for tacos, sliders, or a hearty meat-lovers dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 beef cheeks, trimmed and cleaned
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard or melted beef tallow (as binder)
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons coarse black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup beef broth or beer (optional, for braising)
- Apple cider vinegar or water in spray bottle
- Optional BBQ rub or smoked paprika for extra flavor
Instructions
- Trim beef cheeks by removing silver skin and excess fat.
- Coat beef cheeks with mustard or tallow to help the rub stick evenly.
- Season thoroughly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional BBQ rub.
- Let meat rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes to absorb the rub.
- Preheat smoker to 250°F using oak, mesquite, or a strong smoke wood blend.
- Place beef cheeks directly on the smoker grate and smoke for 3–4 hours.
- Spritz with apple cider vinegar or water every hour to maintain moisture.
- When bark forms and internal temp reaches 160°F, wrap in butcher paper or foil.
- Add ¼ to ½ cup beef broth or beer before sealing and returning to smoker.
- Continue cooking until internal temperature hits 203–210°F and probe tender.
- Rest wrapped beef cheeks for 30+ minutes to redistribute juices.
- Unwrap and shred or slice as desired before serving.
Notes
- Use beef tallow instead of mustard for a richer bark and authentic BBQ flavor.
- You can substitute beer with beef broth for a non-alcoholic braise.
- Shred smoked beef cheeks for tacos, sliders, or bowls for meal prep versatility.
- Choose oak or mesquite wood for a bold, deep smoke flavor.
- Serve with tangy sides like pickled onions or slaw to balance richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–6 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
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