Jamaican Oxtail Stew (Plus Video)

Content… What Is Oxtail? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage FAQs What to Serve More Fabulous Jamaican Recipes You’ll Love Watch How to Make It

What Is Oxtail Stew?

I know in the U.S., oxtails don’t get as much love as other cuts of meat, but they should. So put Jamaican-style oxtail stew on your bucket list and try it at least once. Furthermore, it’s so finger-licking good you’ll want to nibble the bone and beat yourself up for not trying it sooner.

Getting to the nitty-gritty—oxtails are cows’ tails. The butcher usually cuts them into sections for easier handling. And oxtail is good for you because it has lots of marrow and collagen, making it great for soups, stocks, and braises.

Oxtail used to be a staple for underprivileged families due to its high fat, longer cooking time, and low price. But as the years passed, it became a gourmet dish, and prices skyrocketed. So I usually stock up on them if they’re on sale.

What Goes in Jamaican Oxtail Stew

Just two words sum up this oxtail recipe – soul-satisfying! It has become an indisputable favorite for many of my readers and me. In fact, it is one of the most raved recipes here on the blog. If you’re still on the fence, please take the time to read the lovely reviews below, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

1. Oxtails – If the star of this show isn’t in your local supermarket (try asking someone in the meat department), check out an ethnic market or your local butcher at a specialty meat shop. Beef neck bones or shank is the next best option.
2. Seasonings – Onion, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, ketchup or tomato paste, Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero, allspice, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade curry powder all contribute to a super delicious flavor explosion. Feel free to adjust these beauties to your taste. You can even leave out the hot ones for a kid-friendly version.
3. Butter Beans – Also called lima beans, they’re soft and melt-in-your-mouth for a soul-satisfying crowd-pleaser. You can swap them out with any large white beans, like cannellini or Great Northern beans.
4. Browning Sauce – This optional ingredient is a color enhancer. It’s basically browned sugar, so it balances any tartness leftover from the tomato paste and adds the gorgeous chocolate brown color. Leave it out if you’re avoiding sugar.

How to Make Jamaican Oxtail Stew

• Rub the oxtail with salt and pepper, and set aside. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat until hot, and then saute the oxtail, frequently stirring while scraping any browned bits off the bottom until the oxtail pieces are browned. If desired, drain the oil, leaving 2-3 tablespoons. (Photos 1-2)
• Seasonings – Add onions, green onions, garlic, thyme, allspice, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika, then stir for about a minute. Throw in the Scotch bonnet pepper, tomato paste, bouillon, and curry powder, and stir for another minute. (Photos 3-4)
• Pour in Water – Then add about 4-6 cups of water; it’s best to start with 4 cups, then add as needed. (Photo 5)
• Cook it Low and Slow – Bring to a boil and simmer until tender (depending on the oxtail size) for about 2-3 hours (4-5 hours at high altitude), occasionally stirring so it doesn’t stick to the pan.
• Add the Beans – About 20-30 minutes before removing it from the heat, add the broad beans. Adjust the thickness with water or stock. (Photo 6)
• Final Touch – Simmer for 20-30 minutes, and adjust salt to taste.

Recipe Variations

1. More Veggies Please – Want some extra veggies in this braised oxtail? Some readers have added carrots, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, mushrooms, mustard green (last 20 minutes of cooking), and stewed tomatoes (with the broad bean).
2. Jamaican Chicken Stew – To replace beef with chicken, reduce cooking time to half an hour. Then add the broad beans and cook for another half hour.

Tips and Tricks

1. I like these guys with something to bite into and love nibbling the bones – a cultural thing. However, you can ask the butcher to cut them into medium pieces, let the stew cool, and then remove the meat from the bones. Save the bones for bone broth, put the boneless beef back in the pot, reheat, and serve.
2. Asking the butcher to cut them into smaller pieces reduces cooking time. Just make sure you pick out the ones with less visible fat.
3. Oxtail needs low heat and lots of time to get tender. Cook them on a loooww simmer, and if they still seem a little tough after three hours, just give them more time. The meat should be practically falling off the bone. 

Make-Ahead Instructions

Stews are great for making ahead. After the stew has cooked, let it cool and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Or you can freeze it for 3-4 months.

Serving and Storage

Jamaican oxtail stew is oh-so-good steaming hot over a bowl of rice or mashed potatoes.

Store leftovers for three or four days in an airtight container in the fridge or 3-4 months in the freezer. Thaw the oxtail stew overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then reheat in a saucepan on low until heated through.

FAQs

What to Serve With Jamaican Oxtail Stew

This amazing stew is perfect with Caribbean rice and beans or mashed potatoes. Garlicky bread rolls or cornbread are also some great pairings. Then wash it down with a sorrel drink and serve a slice of rum cake for the grand finale.

More Fabulous Jamaican Recipes You’ll Love

1. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
2. Cornmeal Porridge
3. Easy Jamaican Curry Chicken
4. Easter Spice Bun
5. Jamaican Beef Patty or Meat Pies

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”qRCsS2QU” upload-date=”2018-08-06T19:57:54.000Z” name=”Jamaican Oxtail Stew” description=”Jamaican Oxtail Stew- This braised oxtail  with butter beans not only  have a  complex note from allspice but also that familiar garlic, thyme, scotch bonnet and onion medley.  Fall of the bone tender.” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”]

This post was first published in November 2015 and has been updated with a video, additional write-up, fresh photos, and a video