Beef cheeks are delicious. There’s no doubt about that. Their robust, beefy flavor is sure to please any palate. However, it’s important to be mindful of the impact our food choices have on the environment. As beef production continues to increase, so does the carbon footprint left behind.
It’s not all doom and gloom though! We’ve got five alternatives to beef cheeks that will leave your heart singing just as much! Get ready for some inspiration with these 5 alternatives to beef cheeks.
What are beef cheeks?
Beef cheeks are a cut from the cow that is loaded with flavor. They come from the animal’s head and neck region, which means they have a lot of connective tissue in them.
They’re often braised or slow-cooked in a stew to produce a tender and “chewy” texture. Beef cheeks are also high in collagen, which makes them perfect for making gelatin!
5 alternatives to beef cheeks
There are many alternatives to beef cheeks that will still make your heart sing. The first two we’re going to discuss are buffalo and venison. Both of these meats have a rich, beefy flavor and they’re both much leaner than traditional beef cuts. However, the flavor profile might not come out as strong in these substitutes so it’s best to add some herbs and spices for extra flavor.
Buffalo is great because it’s much lower in fat than other red meats like beef or lamb. This is because they’re herbivores so their diet consists of mostly plants instead of animal proteins like other meat-eaters. That means it’s healthier for you! Venison is also a good option if you’re looking for an alternative to beef cheeks because it has a similar texture, which makes it easy to substitute into recipes that call for ground beef or ground pork.
For those who love more exotic flavors, pheasant can be substituted for beef cheeks with success! It’s known for its gamey taste which comes from the animal eating worms, insects, small rodents or any prey they can catch on their own. For those who don’t like this taste, there are also farm-raised varieties available that tastes more like chicken!
Another good substitute is ground bison which has less fat content than its hamburger counterpart (just like buffalo). Ground bison can be used as an alternative in most dishes that call for ground beef (or even turkey!). Pork can also be
Conclusion
Beef cheeks are the meatiest cut of meat around, and they make your heart sing. But what if you don’t like beef, or you’re vegetarian? You don’t need to worry, there are plenty of other options for you.
1. Lamb chops
3. Pork chops
4. Lamb shanks
5. Bison steaks