06/07/2026
Smoked Beef Cheeks
Rich, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, these Smoked Beef Cheeks are slow-cooked to perfection and finished with a flavorful barbecue glaze. This backyard barbecue favorite delivers incredible texture and deep beefy flavor that’s worth every minute of cooking time.
📝 Ingredients
For the Beef Cheeks
4–5 beef cheeks (about 4–5 lbs total)
2 tbsp yellow mustard or olive oil (binder)
2 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp coarse black pepper
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
For the Braising Liquid
2 cups beef broth
1 cup barbecue sauce
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
For Finishing
Additional barbecue sauce for glazing
Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
🍽️ Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Beef Cheeks
Trim any excess silver skin from the beef cheeks. Coat lightly with mustard or olive oil, then season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
2️⃣ Smoke Low and Slow
Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C). Place the beef cheeks directly on the grates and smoke for 3–4 hours, or until a deep mahogany bark develops.
3️⃣ Braise Until Tender
In a disposable aluminum pan, combine beef broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Transfer the smoked beef cheeks to the pan and cover tightly with foil.
4️⃣ Continue Cooking
Return the pan to the smoker and cook for another 3–4 hours, or until the beef cheeks are probe-tender and reach an internal temperature of approximately 205°F (96°C).
5️⃣ Glaze and Rest
Carefully remove the beef cheeks from the braising liquid. Brush with additional barbecue sauce and place back on the smoker uncovered for 15–20 minutes to set the glaze.
6️⃣ Serve
Let the beef cheeks rest for 15 minutes before serving. Slice or shred and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or on toasted sandwich rolls.