Jamaican-Style Oxtail Stew

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/26/22
Oxtail Stew
IstockbyRose25 / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 4 hrs 30 mins
Total: 4 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
954 Calories
52g Fat
18g Carbs
99g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 954
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 52g 67%
Saturated Fat 20g 102%
Cholesterol 316mg 105%
Sodium 617mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 99g
Vitamin C 8mg 41%
Calcium 154mg 12%
Iron 8mg 46%
Potassium 1820mg 39%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Oxtails are actually beef tails. They are loaded with fat and bone and take a long time to cook. They are just right for braising and use in stews, soups, and stocks. Korean, Italian, and Carribean cuisines are all especially known for using oxtails. The Jamaican touch in this recipe is in the use of the allspice. Don't skip it. Use the recipe variations to add more Jamaican flavors.

1:43

Click Play to See This Jamaican-Style Oxtail Stew Recipe Come Together

This recipe comes from "The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors" by Jeff Smith.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup small dried white beans

  • 2 cups water, as needed, divided

  • 3 pounds beef oxtails

  • 1 tablespoon lard, freshly rendered, or vegetable oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced

  • 1 medium tomato, diced

  • 2 cups beef stock, homemade or canned

  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground allspice, or to taste

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper. to taste

  • Tabasco sauce, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place the beans in a small saucepan and add 1 cup of the water.

  3. Bring to a boil, covered, and turn off the heat. Allow to sit for 1 hour, covered.

  4. Then drain.

  5. Brown the oxtails well in the lard or oil.

  6. Place the oxtails in a 6-quart stovetop casserole, along with the garlic, onion, and tomato. Add the beef stock and enough water so that it just covers the contents of the pot. Then add the allspice, salt, and pepper.

  7. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, then add the drained beans.

  8. Simmer for an additional 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid during the last hour of cooking if you prefer a thicker sauce. Be careful that the pot does not boil dry; if it looks imminent, add a bit more water.

  9. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed, and a few shots of Tabasco, to taste.

  10. Enjoy!

Tips

  • Bread is a nice complement to stew. Choose a soft crusty bread to dip into the stew.
  • Oxtail stew calls for a refreshing beverage. A cold beer can be a nice pairing or go for a dry red wine. Choose a familiar one like malbec, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel or merlot. Try a blend of cabernet and shiraz or merlot and cabernet. Or get really adventuresome and crack open a bottle of Spanish tempranillo or a tempranillo blend. It's an earthy wine that goes great with a hearty stew-like oxtail.

Recipe Variation

  • For a more authentic Jamaican recipe, add Scotch bonnet peppers and fresh thyme to the vegetables and replace the beans with potatoes.
  • For an Italian take on the recipe, braise the oxtail in red wine; whichever one you like to drink with stew would be a good choice to add to the recipe.

Recipe Tags: