Beef Cheek Meat

[TowneSA]

Ok, so this a first attempt in posting in this group. I am adding photos as well and hope it comes out at least somewhat understandable:

Being from South Texas I grew up eating all parts of beef and pork. We like to say if we could catch the moo or the oink we would eat it as well. So I decided I wanted to make some barbacoa in my smoker. I hit the internet looking for pointers and found little to no help, so....

I bought some cheek meat from my butcher. It was frozen and not a very pretty slab of meat.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=130916&stc=1&d=1469829597

It was frozen solid so I allowed it the thaw:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=130917&stc=1&d=1469829597

I put it on my smoker pretty much untouched aside from rinsing it and dusting it with my favorite rub. I smoked at 250 for 3.5 hours (uncovered) and it was the most horrible looking meat I have ever seen. I covered it and continued on at 250 for 3 more hours. When I pulled it I was very prepared to just throw it in the trash but what I found was a little bit of heaven. It pulled apart like a perfect pork butt and the fat and skin just pushed off the the side easily. What I ended up with was about 1.5 lbs of the richest, tenderest, barbacoa I have ever had. The hit of smoke in it made it different that most of what you can buy in stores around here.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=130918&stc=1&d=1469829597

I will make this again but next time I will not let the wife and kids see the process. It really grossed em out. LOL

 

[ssv3]

Looks great!

 

[Norm]

Nice!

Wish I could get that around here!

 

[TowneSA]

Nice!

Wish I could get that around here!

I have heard of some butchers that will order it in for you if you ask. It's a lot of work to get and cook but it makes for a great breakfast when you wrap it in a warm corn tortilla.

 

[Titch]

Looks great mate,yours looks real tasty.
my last one came out like Gumboot material
Reheats in a frypan with a dob of butter very nicely

 

[MisterChrister]

Nice cook and great post! Thanks for sharing!

 

[BillN]

You nail that cook, great job.

 

[Bigr314]

Looks good. I have to say I have never had them before. Willing to try now.

 

[JDM46]

Saw the same at my favorite meat shop today.
Going to give it a try.
Thanks for the post.

 

[thunderalley3]

very nice, thanks for posting the entire process. I have eaten pork cheek but never beef, thanks to you it is on my list of things to do now.

 

[Smokindanorth]

Will have to try if I come across it, just won't let the wife see!

 

[Lordkifar]

Looks great. Beef cheeks rock....you can make some of the best braised beef with it.....not surprised you made some fine looking pulled beef!

 

[Zin]

I have heard of some butchers that will order it in for you if you ask. It's a lot of work to get and cook but it makes for a great breakfast when you wrap it in a warm corn tortilla.

All you need now is some Menudo, doesn't get any better than Barbacoa and Menudo on a Sunday morning.

 

[TowneSA]

All you need now is some Menudo, doesn't get any better than Barbacoa and Menudo on a Sunday morning.

I call Menudo hominy soup so that the gringos in my area will eat it. Great for a hangover!!!

 

[Fatback Joe]

Love beef cheeks. Most often, I do them just like you described.

 

[THoey1963]

Looks great. Nice to see another SA Brethren!!!

 

[Smokin Ribs]

Walmart sells cheek meat.

 

[TowneSA]

Looks great. Nice to see another SA Brethren!!!

Good to see someone close to home!!!

 

[TowneSA]

Walmart sells cheek meat.

Really? I would have never thought walmart would carry it.

 

[cowgirl]

Another beef cheek fan here. I love the stuff! Yours looks delicious!