A Jamaican Oxtail Recipe with a Southern Twist

Happy New Year  Everyone!

Hey Y’all, I remember growing up oxtails were always cooked in my house because they used to be very inexpensive. They contain a great deal of fat, which makes them tastier and great for a one pot meal. However, once the supermarkets discovered the popularity of oxtails the prices increased.

Now oxtails are seen as a delicacy and they can be quite costly. A pack of two large size and a few small oxtails, are  about 15 dollars. You may be able to find them a little cheaper at a meat market. I get majority of my meats from the Military Commissary.  Grace doesn’t really eat meat, but Ernest and Jennifer are extreme carnivores.  At the the commissary I spent about 40 dollars on oxtails for three adults.

I wanted  my oxtails to be tender and flavorful, but not too spicy. Jamaicans are famous for having the best oxtail recipes. I found a great recipe, I added a few things and I also left out  a few things in order to make it more my own. This is by far one of the best meals I have ever, ever made and eaten.

Now let’s start cooking, as always we need a list of ingredients.

 Ingredients  for an Oxtail Recipe

-3lbs of Beef Oxtails

-1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce

-1 tablespoon of meat tenderizer

-2 whole Carrots

-1 tablespoon of Black pepper

-1 tablespoon of Garlic Powder

-1/2 teaspoon of Allspice

-1/2 cup of Brown Sugar

-1 tablespoon of Goya Adobo All-purpose seasoning

-1 Onion

-32 ounce Beef broth

-1 cup of frozen Lima Beans

-1 tablespoon of Browning sauce (optional)

-2 tablespoons White vinegar( for cleaning the oxtails)

-1 tablespoon of Crusted Red pepper flakes(optional)

-2 tablespoons of Olive oil/Vegetable oil

-3 tablespoons of Cornstarch

How to Properly Clean Oxtails

Before we begin seasoning and cooking the oxtails, they must be properly cleaned. It’s important to cut and trim as much fat off as possible.

Once you’ve finished cutting/trimming the fat, you’ll  place the oxtails in a bowl.

Now, allow the water to run over the oxtails in the sink and pour about two tablespoons of white vinegar over them.

Once you’ve added the vinegar, you will put on gloves and throughly clean the oxtails in the vinegar water. I personally did this two to three times.

After throughly washing the oxtails, place them on  paper towel.

Seasoning the Oxtails

After the oxtails have dried put them in a bowl.

Then, you’re going to add the following seasonings; 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of All spice, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of meat tenderizer, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of Goya Adobo all-purpose seasoning,  1 tablespoon of browning sauce, and 1 tablespoon of crusted red pepper flakes. 

While you’re wearing plastic gloves, you will want to use your hands to ensure that every single oxtail is seasoned.

Then, you will place your oxtails in a freezer bag and allow them to marinate in the bag for about 45 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator.

(There’s no specific reason for this timeframe, I just needed to clean up..lol!) 

Chopping the Vegetables

First, you will need to peel two carrots and then you will chop them into smaller pieces. Once you’re finished put the chopped carrots into a small bowl.

After, you’ve chopped your carrots, wash, and peel your onion. Chop your onion and then put it aside.

Preparing the Oxtails for Braising

You will need to add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil to a pan on medium heat.

Then add your oxtails in your pan, to begin braising.

You need to fully braise your oxtails on all sides, make sure to turn them over periodically.

Using a Crockpot for an Oxtail Recipe

Once your oxtails have finished braising, you will place them in a crockpot.

Place your oxtails in the crockpot.

Now you will want to use a little bit of the drippings from the braised oxtails. You will use this to sauté your vegetables for about three minutes.

When your onions are translucent and your carrots are fork tender pour them over your oxtails.

Then, pour the 32 ounce box of Beef broth over your oxtails and vegetables.

The oxtails and vegetables will cook on high in the crockpot for about three hours.

The Oxtail Recipe

After they have cooked in the crockpot for about three hours. I placed the oxtails  in a saucepan, in order to drain the excess fat off the gravy. I took a 1/2 cup of gravy and I added 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the gravy in order to thicken it.

Then, I added my thickened gravy to my oxtails in the saucepan.

Then, add 1 cup of frozen Lima beans. 

Allow the oxtails and lima beans to cook for about 10-15  minutes on medium heat. 

Jamaican Oxtail Recipe with A Southern Twist

As I’ve already stated this meal is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. It’s incredibly delicious, flavorful, and the oxtails are so tender. If you’re a fan of one pot meals, then this recipe is perfect for you! Just add a bed of rice or mashed potatoes and you’ll have one of the best meals, you’ve ever eaten!

Happy New Year Everyone and Happy Eating!

 

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