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🥣

●Low GI

Beef Cheek Keşkek Calories

Traditional wheat dish with protein and fiber

In season: Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

154kcal

GI

45low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

176mg

FIBER · 100 G

2.3g

Quick answer

1 serving (medium) of Beef Cheek Keşkek (250 g) has 385 calories. That works out to 154 calories per 100 g. It contains 46.5 g of carbs, 22.8 g of protein, 12.8 g of fat and 5.8 g of fiber. Its 1.8 µg of B12 covers 75% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 45 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Beef Cheek Keşkek Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 250 g

385

KCAL / 250G

Carbs

46.5g

· 17% DV

Protein

22.8g

· 46% DV

Fat

12.8g

· 16% DV

Fiber

5.8g

· 21% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 47% · Protein 23% · Fat 30%

Beef Cheek Keşkek nutrition facts table · 1 serving (medium) (250 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories385 kcal
Total fat12.8 g16%
Saturated fat4.38 g22%
Trans fat0.2 g
Sodium513 mg22%
Total carbohydrate46.5 g17%
Fiber5.8 g21%
Protein22.8 g46%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Serving of Beef Cheek Keşkek?

ServingAmountCalories
1 serving (medium)250 g385 kcal
1 tablespoon (small)25 g39 kcal
100 g100 g154 kcal
1 piece (small)120 g185 kcal
1 cup (small)180 g277 kcal
1 serving (large)350 g539 kcal
1 serving (extra large)450 g693 kcal

Calculated from 154 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Cheek Keşkek

What is beef cheek keşkek?

Beef cheek keşkek is a Turkish dish of wheat cooked with beef cheek until both become very tender, then beaten or stirred into a thick, cohesive mixture. It is a beef-based variation of traditional keşkek, which is often made for communal celebrations.

How do you cook beef cheek keşkek?

Cook the wheat and beef cheek with water or broth until the wheat is soft and the meat pulls apart easily. Shred the beef, then beat or stir it into the wheat until the mixture turns thick and creamy; finish with seasoned butter if desired.

Why is beef cheek keşkek beaten after cooking?

Beef cheek keşkek is beaten to break down the cooked wheat and meat and bring them together into its characteristic thick, slightly fibrous texture. The beef should be tender enough to shred first, so the finished dish combines evenly rather than staying in separate chunks.

What kind of wheat is used in beef cheek keşkek?

Beef cheek keşkek is usually made with hulled or cracked wheat, often sold as wheat berries or coarse wheat for dishes such as keşkek. Soaking it before cooking can help it soften more evenly; add hot liquid if the wheat absorbs it before becoming tender.

What makes beef cheek a good choice for keşkek?

Beef cheek is rich in connective tissue, which softens during slow cooking and helps produce tender, shreddable meat for beef cheek keşkek. Its deep beef flavor also stands up well to the wheat, unlike a quick-cooking lean cut that can dry out.

Is beef cheek keşkek the same as Turkish herise?

Beef cheek keşkek and herise are closely related wheat-and-meat dishes, and the names and recipes can overlap by region. Both are cooked until the ingredients soften and combine, but the meat, seasoning, texture, and local name may differ.

What is beef cheek keşkek traditionally served with?

Beef cheek keşkek is served hot, often topped with butter browned with paprika or red pepper. Pickles or a fresh salad provide a sharp contrast to its rich, soft texture; it can also be served as part of a larger celebratory meal.

Can you make beef cheek keşkek in a pressure cooker?

Yes, a pressure cooker can cook the wheat and beef cheek for beef cheek keşkek until tender. Once pressure cooking is complete, shred the meat and beat it into the wheat on the stovetop, adding liquid as needed to reach a thick, spoonable consistency.

How do you store leftover beef cheek keşkek?

Refrigerate leftover beef cheek keşkek in a covered container once it has cooled, rather than leaving it out for an extended time. It thickens as it sits, so stir in a little water or broth while reheating to loosen the texture.

Can beef cheek keşkek be frozen?

Yes, beef cheek keşkek can be frozen in airtight, portion-sized containers. The wheat may soften further after thawing, so reheat it gently and add a splash of water or broth if it has become too thick.

Beef Cheek Keşkek Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

1.8µg · 75% DV

B3

6mg · 38% DV

B1

0.3mg · 25% DV

B6

0.4mg · 24% DV

Minerals

Selenium

36µg · 65% DV

Manganese

1.15mg · 50% DV

Copper

0.4mg · 44% DV

Zinc

4.4mg · 40% DV

Sodium

513mg · 22% DV

Potassium ⭐

440mg · 13% DV

Beef Cheek Keşkek Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

45
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

20
Medium

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Beef Cheek Keşkek

To burn the 385 calories in 1 serving (medium) (250 g):

🚶

95min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

39min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

52min

Cycling

🏊

45min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Beef Cheek Keşkek?

Beef Cheek Keşkek is a Turkish take on keşkek, a traditional dish of wheat cooked slowly with meat. The grains are simmered until soft and often pounded into a thick, cohesive texture, while the beef cheek becomes tender enough to pull apart. The result is hearty, with a mild wheat flavour and rich, savoury meat.

In Turkey, keşkek is often served hot at family gatherings and regional celebrations, sometimes finished with butter and pepper. It provides protein and fibre from its meat-and-wheat base; a 100 g portion has 9.1 g of protein. Serve it with a crisp salad or pickled vegetables for contrast, and go easy on the buttery topping if you prefer a lighter plate.

How Nutritious Is Beef Cheek Keşkek?

Nutrient density

High

62/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

50/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Beef Cheek Keşkek Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Beef Cheek Keşkek Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Beef Cheek Keşkek Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

— Not suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Beef Cheek Keşkek Fat Profile

SATURATED

4.38g

MONOUNSATURATED

5.55g

POLYUNSATURATED

1.05g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 6.2:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (6.2:1).

Compare Beef Cheek Keşkek

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Foods Similar to Beef Cheek Keşkek

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🍢

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140 kcal

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Sauteed Lamb

230 kcal

🍗

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110 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.