Cider-Braised Pork Cheeks

You'll probably need to order pork cheeks from your butcher, but the resulting slow-cooked meaty goodness is so worth it. This is delicious served over buttery mashed potatoes with lots of the gravy.

• Calories: 1619 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 small carrot, diced
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 rib celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons clarified butter
• 8 (4 ounce) pork cheeks
• 2 cups hard apple cider
• 2 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour for dredging, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Season both sides of pork cheeks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with flour and press it into the meat to coat thoroughly.

Step 2

Heat clarified butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear meat on both sides until richly browned, adjusting heat lower if necessary. When cheeks are browned, reduce heat to medium. Transfer cheeks to a plate to rest.

Step 3

Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet. Add onions, carrots, and celery to skillet. Cook and stir until softened and sweet, seasoning with a pinch of salt. Add vinegar and stir to deglaze the pan. Pour in the cider and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Add sage and rosemary. Reduce heat to low and transfer cheeks back to pan. Cover. Cook until fork tender but not falling apart, 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the pork cheeks. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4

Bring liquid to a boil over high heat, skimming off fat as it rises to the surface. Reduce volume of liquid by about 60 to 70%. Sauce will start to thicken up. Taste for salt and season as needed. Transfer cheeks back to liquid. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until cheeks are heated through and tender and sauce is thick enough to coat cheeks.