Best Easy Guanciale di Manzo Recipe

Braised beef cheek melts into succulent richness after hours of slow cooking. This high protein mediterranean dish is a carnivore's treasure — a family dinner with extraordinary tenderness.

Cook 240 min Difficulty NORMAL 375 kcal
#mediterranean #high protein
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Beef cheek 3 lbs
  • Yellow onion 2 pieces
  • Carrot 2 pieces
  • Celery stalk 2 pieces
  • Garlic cloves 4 cloves
  • Crushed tomatoes 1 cup
  • Red wine 1 cup
  • Low-sodium beef broth 2 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Olive oil 3 tbsp
  • Fresh rosemary 2 sprigs
  • Bay leaf 2 pieces
  • Kosher salt 1.5 tsp
  • Black pepper 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 8 g 9%
Protein 32 g 34%
Fat 22 g 57%
Serving size 250g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Pat the beef cheeks dry and season all sides with kosher salt and black pepper for even flavor.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cheeks for 3–4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.

  3. 3

    Lower heat to medium. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 8 minutes, stirring to avoid burning and achieve soft, aromatic vegetables.

  4. 4

    Pour in red wine, scraping up any brown bits, then simmer for 3 minutes to reduce alcohol. Stir in crushed tomatoes and return beef cheeks to the pot.

  5. 5

    Add the rosemary sprigs, bay leaves, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Braise for 3 hours, turning beef halfway through, until fork-tender.

  6. 6

    Once done, remove beef cheeks and bay leaves. Skim excess fat from the sauce, then reduce sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes to thicken. Return beef to the sauce and gently rewarm before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Beef cheek is the key ingredient in this Guanciale di Manzo recipe. Its rich collagen structure is essential for developing the signature tenderness and deep flavor after hours of braising, setting this dish apart from other beef cuts.
Q. Is there a critical step for perfect tenderness?
Braising the beef cheeks gently for 3 hours over low heat is crucial for achieving the melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's important to maintain a gentle simmer and to turn the beef halfway through for even cooking.
Q. How do I avoid dry or tough beef cheeks?
To prevent dryness, always sear the beef cheeks first to seal in juices, then ensure they're mostly submerged in braising liquid. Cook slowly at a low temperature and avoid rushing the process—patience maximizes tenderness.
Q. What are the nutrition facts per serving?
Each 250g serving contains about 375 kcal, with 32g protein (34% of calories), 8g carbs (9%), and 22g fat (57%). This makes it a high-protein dish with moderate fat and low carbohydrate content.
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