Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich beef cheeks braised slowly in garlic, red wine, and herbs until meltingly tender, served over soft polenta for a comforting Australian-inspired meal. This australian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 210 minutes pairs trimmed beef cheeks, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 190 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs trimmed beef cheeks and sear on all sides for 4-5 minutes until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let the wine reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Return beef cheeks to the pot. Add 2 cups beef broth, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 3 hours until beef cheeks are fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: While beef cooks, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup polenta, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until creamy.
  7. Step 7: Stir 2 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the polenta until melted and smooth.
  8. Step 8: Remove beef cheeks from the pot, shred with forks, and stir back into the sauce. Discard bay leaf.
  9. Step 9: Serve the ragu hot over creamy Parmesan polenta.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine?

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 trimmed beef cheeks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine?

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-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Cooked Beef Cheek Ragu with Garlic and Red Wine?

Australian slow cooker 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.

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