Braised Beef Cheeks

Braised beef cheeks are a rich, slow-cooked dish where the collagen-rich cheek meat is simmered until tender in a flavorful liquid, often with wine, broth, and aromatics. This method transforms the tough cut into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy, commonly found in European cuisines like Italian (guance di manzo) and French cooking.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates. It provides significant amounts of iron, zinc, and collagen-derived gelatin, with a typical serving containing roughly 400-500 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	35 g
Carbs	2 g
Fat	32 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	680 mg
Iron	4.5 mg
Zinc	8.2 mg
Vitamin B12	2.8 mcg
Niacin (B3)	8.5 mg
Selenium	32 mcg
Phosphorus	280 mg
Collagen/Gelatin	High (qualitative)
Cholesterol	120 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) of braised beef cheeks with sauce · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Beef cheeks are prized for their high collagen content, which breaks down into gelatin during braising, creating a naturally thick, luxurious sauce without added thickeners. Nutritionally, this gelatin can support joint and gut health.