Beer Braised Pork Cheek Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Preheat the oven to 160°C. Season the pork cheeks with salt and pepper.
• STEP 2.Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork cheeks and sear them on all sides until browned. Remove the cheeks from the pot and set aside.
• STEP 3.In the same pot, add the onions, garlic, and spices. Cook until the onions are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• STEP 4.Pour in the beer and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the pork cheeks back to the pot and bring the liquid to a simmer.
• STEP 5.Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Braise the pork cheeks for 2-3 hours, or until they are tender and easily shred with a fork.
• STEP 6.Remove the pot from the oven and transfer the pork cheeks to a plate. Use two forks to shred the meat. Skim any excess fat from the braising liquid and return the shredded meat to the pot.
• STEP 7.Place the pot back on the stovetop over medium heat. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
• STEP 8.Serve the beer braised pork cheeks with mashed potatoes or crusty bread, and spoon the sauce over the meat.

Cooking Tips

• If you can't find pork cheeks, you can substitute them with pork shoulder or pork belly.
• For a deeper flavor, marinate the pork cheeks in the beer and spices overnight before cooking.
• You can also cook this dish in a slow cooker on low heat for 6-8 hours.

Storage and Serving

• Leftover beer braised pork cheeks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, gently warm the pork cheeks in a pot over low heat until heated through.
• Serve the pork cheeks with mashed potatoes or crusty bread, and spoon the sauce over the meat.