Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary
Tender beef cheeks slowly braised in a rich red wine sauce infused with fresh rosemary and garlic, perfect for a comforting Aussie dinner. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 215 minutes pairs pounds beef cheeks, tablespoons olive oil, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef cheeks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 2 pounds of beef cheeks and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat and sear beef cheeks for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Step 2: Remove beef cheeks and add 1 diced medium carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 large chopped yellow onion to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and start to caramelize.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant and tomato paste darkens.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups dry red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze, and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 5: Return beef cheeks to the pot, add 2 cups beef stock and 3 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven to braise for 3 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Remove beef cheeks, strain sauce into a saucepan, and simmer over medium heat until sauce thickens to coating consistency, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter for shine and richness.
- Step 7: Serve beef cheeks sliced with sauce spooned over, accompanied by mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds beef cheeks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine and Rosemary?
Australian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.