Project Beef Cheek Pastrami

[SheilaAnn]

As y’all might recall, some of us had the pleasure of enjoying beef cheek pastrami at the last meat-up. I was blown away and committed to recreating this dish.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/member-gatherings/meat-ups-and-member-gatherings-aa/1839870-the-spring-2026-texas-hill-country-meatup-is-here?p=1840543#post1840543

The project has commenced! I will be posting pictures along this journey. I am using all AR recipes.

I was able to source beef cheeks at my local Wild Fork.

Corning solution


unpacked



trim



trimmed

[SheilaAnn]

And ready for the 5-day rest

[Mosca]

Watching!

[Draznnl]

Can’t wait for your results.

[jayjordan]

The beef cheek pastrami was the highlight of the visit to Burnt Bean. Watching this SheilaAnn

[OC Sandy]

Yes! Can't wait to hear how it turns out.

[JCBBQ]

🎉🎉🎉 Let’s 🤬🤬🤬 goooo!!!

[WI Bubba]

I'm really hoping you nail this one.

[Uncle Bob]

Cool that you're doing this. That said, in raw form the cheek is one of the ugliest cuts of beef to look at.

[SheilaAnn]

Uncle Bob is not wrong. One of them looks like it was harvested with a pair of kindergarten scissors! I’ll probably tie it like a roast for smoking.

[TripleB]

Both times I went to San Marcos, I had beef cheeks. Not a fan. But look forward to your finished product and critique.

[LA Pork Butt]

You are in a league of your own. Can you get Beef Cheeks in California BBQed or otherwise? Popularity of a cut of meat drives up prices. Remember when wings were cheap. It looks like this ugly cut of meat is on its way up at $4.98 a pound and it is my understanding there is a fair amount of waste after it is trimmed. I’ll be watching for your results and observations.

[SheilaAnn]

Lots of waste! Even when my more skilled employees at the butcher shop prepped them. LA Pork Butt honestly, I’ve only seen them as a meat choice for tacos. They are the OG barbacoa.

[yakima]

So. Apparently this thread is real, and not tongue in cheek.

[BourBonQ]

Hmm... you might be onto something...

[dpearce]

Following. I'm interested. Been thinking about making pastrami, but with the cost of brisket, I've held off. Might be cheaper just to drive to Katz's deli!

question, are these the cheeks from the front of the cow or the back?

[LA Pork Butt]

Funny! 😂

[dpearce]

SheilaAnn dang, I just had chuck roast, a week ago or so. I'll see how many of those I have left!

[SheilaAnn]

dpearce I got the inspiration from girlscangrill.

[SheilaAnn]

So it’s looking like my timing is getting all shot to heck. After desalination, can I wait an extra day to smoke? I am desalinating this afternoon.