Smoked Beef Cheek Barbacoa Tacos
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Beef cheeks might not be a regular grocery store find, but in the world of slow-smoked barbecue, they’re a hidden gem worth seeking out. These rich, meaty cuts come from the hardworking jaw muscles of the cow, meaning they’re loaded with connective tissue that transforms into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness when cooked low and slow. Smoking them over oak before braising in a bath of beer, broth, onions, and garlic builds layers of deep, earthy flavor with a touch of smoke and spice. Allowing the seasoned cheeks to marinate for several hours before smoking deepens the flavor even further. Nestled into warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh onion, cilantro, and salty Cotija cheese, these tacos strike a perfect balance between rustic comfort and bold, vibrant flavors.
Smoked Beef Cheek Barbacoa Tacos with Texas Beef BBQ Rub
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Main Dish
Cuisine
American
Author:
Servings
12
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
7
Calories
300
This smoked beef cheek barbacoa recipe delivers the kind of tenderness and flavor that only comes from hours of patient cooking. By seasoning with Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub and letting the meat marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight, you allow the rub’s salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika to fully penetrate the beef. After a slow smoke over oak and a long braise in beer and broth, the cheeks become incredibly tender and deeply flavorful. Fresh garnishes and Cotija cheese brighten each bite, making these tacos an unforgettable addition to your barbecue repertoire.
Ingredients
For The Rub
- 1/4 cup Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub
- 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
For The Barbacoa
- 3 pounds beef cheeks, trimmed
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 16 ounces lager beer
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, chopped
For The Garnish
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Small corn tortillas
- Cotija cheese
Directions
- Make The Rub: In a small bowl, combine Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub, chipotle powder, granulated garlic, and ground cumin.
- Season And Marinate The Beef: Coat the beef cheeks thoroughly with the rub. Place in a covered container or resealable bag and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat The Smoker: Build a charcoal fire and add two chunks of oak wood. Stabilize the temperature at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Smoke The Beef: Place the beef cheeks on the smoker and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare The Braise: In a foil pan, combine beef broth, lager beer, coarsely chopped onion, and chopped garlic. Add the smoked beef cheeks to the liquid.
- Braise Until Tender: Return the pan to the smoker and cook for 4 to 5 hours, flipping the cheeks once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Add wood chunks as needed.
- Rest The Meat: Remove the cheeks from the smoker and rest for 30 minutes.
- Make The Garnish: In a small bowl, combine diced white onion, cilantro, kosher salt, and lime juice.
- Shred And Moisten: Shred the beef cheeks and mix in some of the braising liquid for extra moisture.
- Assemble The Tacos: Serve the beef on warm corn tortillas topped with the onion-cilantro mixture and Cotija cheese.
Recipe Note
Smoked beef cheek barbacoa is one of those dishes that rewards patience with unmatched tenderness and flavor. Marinating the meat in Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub for several hours ensures that the seasoning works deep into every bite, enhancing the beef’s natural richness with the right balance of salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Combined with oak smoke and a slow beer-and-broth braise, the result is a taco filling that’s juicy, smoky, and deeply satisfying. Pair with fresh onion, cilantro, and Cotija cheese for the perfect balance of richness and brightness. Get your bottle of Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub and explore more incredible recipes at Revolution Barbecue.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation
Serving Size
1 serving (120 grams)
Calories 300,
Fat
14 grams,
Polyunsaturated Fat
5 milligrams,
Monounsaturated Fat
6 milligrams,
Carbs
14 grams,
Protein
28 grams,
Potassium
460 milligrams,
Fiber
2 grams,
Sodium
510 milligrams,
Sugar
2 grams,
Iron
3 milligrams
