Keto Braised Ox Cheek with Celeriac Puree
Ox cheek is an ideal keto braising cut: plenty of collagen, deep flavor and a sauce that needs no flour to thicken. This recipe pairs slow-braised beef with celeriac puree and a fresh gremolata of lemon, parsley and garlic. It is not a weeknight dish but a deliberately slow meal for guests or Sundays.
Key facts at a glance
- Prep time: 35 minutes active, approx. 3 hours braising.
- Approx. 6 g net carbs and 48 g protein per serving.
- Ambitious: searing, braising, reducing and pureeing.
- Easy to prep ahead: the ox cheek tastes even rounder the next day.
Ingredients
One serving is half an ox cheek with celeriac puree and sauce.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ox cheeks | - | |||
| Clarified butter | approx. 2 tbsp | |||
| approx. 2 tbsp | ||||
| Celeriac for sauce | - | |||
| Onion | - | |||
| Garlic cloves | - | |||
| Tomato paste | - | |||
| Beef broth | - | |||
| Bay leaf | - | |||
| Celeriac for puree | - | |||
| Butter | - | |||
| Cream | - | |||
| Organic lemon | - | |||
| Parsley | 1 bunch | |||
| 1 bunch | ||||
| Salt | - | |||
| Pepper | - | |||
Preparation
-
Sear the meat and the base
approx. 25 minutes2 Ox cheeks 1 tbsp Tomato paste Sear the ox cheeks hard. Roast the vegetables and tomato paste in the pan drippings until deeply colored.
-
Braise
approx. 3 hours700 ml Beef broth 1 Bay leaf Top up with broth, add the bay leaf and braise the meat covered and gently for about 3 hours.
-
Finish puree and sauce
approx. 30 minutes30 ml Clarified butter approx. 2 tbsp 120 g Celeriac for sauce 500 g Celeriac for puree 50 g Butter 80 ml Cream Cook the celeriac until tender and puree with butter and cream. Strain and reduce the sauce.
-
Plate up
approx. 10 minutes2 clove Garlic cloves 1 Organic lemon 20 g Parsley 1 bunch Chop the parsley with lemon zest and garlic. Set the meat on the puree, spoon sauce over and finish with the gremolata.
You did it! Enjoy every delicious bite.
Which tips help with braised keto ox cheek?
- Pat the meat very dry before searing.
- Roast the vegetables deeply; that replaces part of the depth red wine would otherwise add.
- Braise only gently, never at a rolling boil.
- Reduce the sauce uncovered after braising until it gleams.
- Do not cook the gremolata along with the rest, or it will lose its freshness.
Why this braise fits keto well
Ox cheek contains virtually no carbs and lots of connective tissue, which turns to gelatin while braising. That creates a silky sauce without flour or starch. Celeriac replaces mashed potato with far fewer net carbs, while butter and cream provide fat. Despite the vegetables and celeriac, the portion stays at about 6 g net carbs.
How do I serve and vary the ox cheek?
Slice the cheek into thick pieces against the grain, set it on the celeriac puree and glaze with reduced sauce. Add the gremolata at the table so the lemon and parsley stay fresh. Cauliflower puree works instead of celeriac and makes the portion even lower in carbs.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 155 kcal | approx. 640 kcal | A full, satisfying braised dish. |
| A full, satisfying braised dish. | |||
| Fat | approx. 10 g | approx. 42 g | From meat, butter and cream; suits keto. |
| From meat, butter and cream; suits keto. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 1.5 g | approx. 6 g | Low for a braise with puree. |
| Low for a braise with puree. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 0.8 g | approx. 3 g | Natural sugar from celeriac and braising vegetables. |
| Natural sugar from celeriac and braising vegetables. | |||
| Protein | approx. 11.5 g | approx. 48 g | High protein from ox cheek. |
| High protein from ox cheek. | |||
| Salt | approx. 0.5 g | approx. 2 g | Depends on the broth used; reduce before adding more salt. |
| Depends on the broth used; reduce before adding more salt. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Can I substitute ox cheek with another cut?
Yes. Beef cheeks, beef shoulder or short rib all work. Cooking time varies: what matters is that the meat pulls apart easily with a fork.
Do I need red wine for the sauce?
No. For keto and everyday cooking, beef broth with tomato paste, well-roasted vegetables and a long reduction works very well. If you do use wine, cook it down completely and account for the carbs.