The 10 Best Substitutes For Beef Cheeks

If you’re looking for a delicious, tender cut of beef, then look no further than beef cheeks.

These cuts are extremely flavorful and juicy when cooked properly, but they can be hard to find in some areas.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other options that can provide the same flavor and texture as beef cheeks without having to search far and wide.

From pork cheeks to oxtail, here are ten of the best substitutes for beef cheeks that will make your next dinner just as tasty.

Read Also: Beef Cheeks Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Beef Cheeks

What Are Beef Cheeks?

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Beef cheeks are a cut of beef from the cheek muscle of a cow.

They are an inexpensive, yet flavorful and tender cut that is becoming increasingly popular in restaurants and home kitchens alike.

Beef cheeks have a rich flavor with a texture similar to brisket or short ribs, but they are much more tender than either of those cuts.

Beef cheeks can be cooked using any method that works for other tougher cuts such as braising, slow cooking, or pressure cooking.

The key to making them tender is to cook them low and slow until they become fork-tender.

This usually takes several hours depending on the size of the beef cheeks being cooked.

Once cooked, they can be served as-is or shredded into smaller pieces for tacos or sandwiches.

Beef cheeks are also great for making stocks and sauces due to their high collagen content which helps thicken liquids when simmered over low heat for long periods of time.

The 10 Best Substitutes For Beef Cheeks

Beef cheeks are a popular ingredient for many dishes.

However, they can be difficult to find and expensive to buy.

If you’re looking for a suitable substitute, here are ten great options that will provide the same flavor and texture:

1 – Beef Short Ribs

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Beef short ribs are a cut of beef taken from the chest, shoulder, belly, or rib areas of a cow.

They are made up of a short section of the rib bone and the meat that surrounds it, which can vary in thickness.

Short ribs are a popular cut of beef for slow-cooking and braising, as they are very flavorful and tender when cooked properly.

When using short ribs instead of beef cheeks, they should be cooked in a similar way, such as braising or slow-cooking.

This will ensure that the short ribs are tender and flavorful.

2 – Oxtail

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Oxtail is a type of meat that comes from the tail of cattle, such as cows, bulls, and oxen.

It is usually skinned and cut into smaller pieces before being sold.

Oxtail is usually around 3.5 kilograms in weight.

Oxtail is a popular ingredient in many dishes, and can be used as a substitute for beef cheeks.

It is usually cooked slowly in a stew or soup, as this helps to tenderize the meat and bring out its flavor. Oxtail can also be used in other dishes, such as curries and stir-fries.

3 – Beef Brisket

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Beef brisket is a cut of meat taken from the breast or lower chest area of a cow or veal.

Read Also: Beef Brisket Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Beef Brisket

It is one of the nine primal cuts of beef, although the exact definition of the cut may vary from country to country.

The brisket consists of two muscles, the superficial and deep pectorals.

Beef brisket is a popular cut of meat for slow-cooking, as it is a tougher cut of meat that benefits from a longer cooking time.

It is often used in dishes such as corned beef, pastrami, and barbecue.

To use beef brisket instead of beef cheeks, it is best to slow-cook the brisket in a liquid such as broth or beer.

This will help to tenderize the meat and bring out its flavor.

The brisket can then be used in any recipe that calls for beef cheeks.

4 – Lamb Shanks

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Lamb shanks are a cut of meat taken from the upper part of the leg, just above the knee joint.

They are usually cooked slowly in a liquid such as broth or wine to bring out the flavour of the bone and make the meat tender.

Lamb shanks can be used as an alternative to beef cheeks in many recipes, as they are both cuts of meat that require slow cooking to become tender.

The flavor of lamb shanks is slightly different to beef cheeks, but both can be used in dishes such as stews and casseroles.

5 – Beef Chuck

Beef chuck is a cut of beef that comes from the shoulder area of the cow.

It’s usually about two and a half centimeters thick and has a rectangular shape.

It’s sometimes referred to as a “7-bone steak” because the shoulder bone in cross-section looks like the number seven.

If you’re looking for an alternative to beef cheeks, chuck steak is a great option.

It’s a great cut of meat for slow-cooking, as it has a lot of connective tissue that breaks down and adds flavor to the dish.

It’s also a relatively inexpensive cut of beef, so it’s a great choice for budget-friendly meals.

6 – Beef Shank

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Beef shank is a cut of beef taken from the leg of a cow or heifer.

It’s a tough cut of meat, so it’s best cooked slowly in a moist environment.

This makes it perfect for dishes like beef bourguignon, where the long cooking time helps to tenderize the meat.

If you’re looking for an alternative to beef cheeks, beef shank is a great option.

It’s a great way to add flavor and texture to a dish without breaking the bank.

7 – Arm Roast

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Arm roast is a cut of beef from the chuck primal that is often used for pot roasting.

It’s also known as arm pot roast, arm chuck roast, and round bone pot roast. If you want to make a smaller cut, you can reduce the arm roast to an arm steak, which is sometimes called Swiss steak.

To use arm roast instead of beef cheeks, you can use it in any recipe that calls for beef cheeks.

It will give you a similar flavor and texture, but with a slightly different cut of beef.

8 – Bottom Round

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Bottom round is a cut of beef from the round, or the rear leg of the cow.

It is usually sold as a steak, and can be divided into cuts such as the eye round, bottom round, and top round.

Depending on how the round is separated from the loin, it may or may not include the round bone, or the knuckle.

Bottom round is a great substitute for beef cheeks, as it is leaner and more tender than other cuts of beef. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilling, roasting, or braising.

9 – Beef Tongue

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Beef tongue is a cut of beef made from the tongue of a cow.

It is a popular ingredient in many different cuisines around the world, and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

It can be boiled, pickled, roasted, or braised in sauce.

In Mexico, it is often used as a filling for tacos, while in the United States it is used in open-faced sandwiches.

If you’re looking for an alternative to beef cheeks, beef tongue is a great option. It has a unique flavor and texture that can add a lot of depth to a dish.

It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare.

10 – Pork Cheeks

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Pork cheeks are small, tender pieces of meat that come from the face of a pig.

They are not to be confused with the jowl, which is the fatty area around the face and is not as meaty.

Pork cheeks can be used as a substitute for beef cheeks in many recipes.

They are a great way to add flavor and texture to dishes, and can be cooked in a variety of ways.

FAQ

Can you use beef brisket instead of beef cheeks?

Yes, you can use beef brisket as a substitute for beef cheeks. Brisket is a great alternative to beef cheeks because it has a similar texture and flavor. It is also a much more affordable cut of meat.

Other good substitutes for beef cheeks include oxtail, short rib, and chuck roast.

All of these cuts of meat have a similar texture and flavor to beef cheeks, so you can be sure that your dish will still turn out delicious.

What cut of meat is beef cheeks?

Beef cheeks are a cut of meat taken from the facial area of the cow, specifically the muscle used for chewing.

These cuts are usually quite tough and contain a lot of sinews, so they must be trimmed down by the butcher before they can be used.

Once trimmed, beef cheeks are a flavorful and tender cut of meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are best cooked slowly, either braised or stewed, to ensure the meat is tender and juicy.

What is another name for beef cheek meat?

Beef cheek meat, also known as barbacoa meat, is a flavorful cut of beef that comes from the face of the cow, next to the jaw muscle.

It is a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine, and can be used to make tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and other delicious dishes.

Beef cheek meat is a great option for those looking for a unique and flavorful alternative to traditional cuts of beef.

Conclusion

In conclusion, beef cheeks are a delicious and flavorful cut of meat that can be used in a variety of dishes.

However, if you don’t have beef cheeks on hand, there are several other cuts of meat that can be used as a good substitute.

The best substitutes for beef cheeks are beef short ribs, oxtail, beef brisket, lamb shanks, beef chuck, beef shank, arm roast, bottom round, beef tongue, and pork cheeks.

Each of these cuts of meat has its own unique flavor and texture, so you can experiment with different combinations to find the perfect flavor for your dish.

Using a combination of these cuts of meat is a great way to add depth and complexity to your dish, and will ensure that you never have to go without beef cheeks again.