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Three French-style beef cheek recipes.

Beer-Braised Beef Cheeks (Carbonnade)

Beer, slow braise and a dark savory-sweet sauce. Beef cheeks are ideal: spoon-tender and naturally enriching.

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 2 h 45
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For 4 servings.

  • 1 kg beef cheeks
  • 150 g smoked bacon lardons
  • 2 onions
  • 30 g butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 750 ml dark/amber beer
  • 250 ml water
  • Bouquet garni
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • Salt, pepper

Method

Detailed steps.

  1. Prep onions; pat meat dry; heat oven to 180°C.

  2. Brown lardons then beef in butter.

  3. Add onions; cook until soft and lightly caramelized.

  4. Stir in flour 1–2 min.

  5. Add beer + water + herbs + sugar; simmer.

  6. Cover and bake 2 h 30–3 h; reduce uncovered if needed.

  7. Season and serve with potatoes or fries.

Tips

Small details that matter.

• Use a flavorful beer, not overly sweet.

• Better next day.

• If very bitter, dilute slightly.

FAQ

Common questions.

Which beer?
Dark/amber, gentle bitterness.

Why bake it?
Even heat = silky sauce.