How to Make Jamaican Oxtail: A Delicious and Flavorful Recipe

If you’re looking for a flavorful and hearty dish, then Jamaican oxtail might just be what you’re looking for. This savory and tender dish is a staple in Jamaican cuisine and is enjoyed by many around the world. While the dish may seem intimidating to make, it is actually quite simple with a few essential ingredients and some patience.

To make Jamaican oxtail, the main ingredient is the oxtail itself, which is the tail of a cow. It is a cheaper cut of meat but is full of flavor and perfect for stews and braises. The key to making this dish is to give it time to simmer and allow the flavors to develop. With a few simple steps and some patience, you can make this delicious meal right at home. So, let’s get started on how to make Jamaican oxtail!

Ingredients for Jamaican Oxtail

Jamaican oxtail is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for any occasion. The taste of the tender oxtail meat cooked in a rich and flavorful gravy is something that will leave you wanting more. Here are the ingredients you need to make Jamaican oxtail at home:

1. Oxtail

The name of the dish is derived from its main ingredient: oxtail. Oxtail is a tough cut of beef that requires slow cooking to make it tender. You can get oxtail at your local butcher or grocery store. Make sure you get enough for the recipe.

2. Spices

The secret to a delicious Jamaican oxtail is in the spices. You will need garlic, ginger, allspice, thyme, and scallions. These spices will give the dish its unique flavor and aroma.

3. Seasoning

You will need to season the oxtail with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce before cooking. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.

4. Vegetables

The vegetables that go into Jamaican oxtail are onions, carrots, and potatoes. These vegetables are added to the dish to give it more flavor and to make it a complete meal.

5. Scotch Bonnet Pepper

Jamaican cuisine is known for its fiery heat, and the scotch bonnet pepper is a staple ingredient in many dishes. You can add the pepper whole or chopped to the dish to give it some heat. Be careful not to add too much, as the pepper is very hot.

6. Red Kidney Beans

Red kidney beans are traditionally added to Jamaican oxtail to give it more nutritional value and to thicken the gravy. You can add canned or freshly cooked beans to the dish.

7. Beef Broth

You will need beef broth to cook the oxtail in. You can use store-bought beef broth or make your own by simmering beef bones with vegetables and herbs.

8. Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is added to the dish to give it a deep red color and to enhance the flavor of the gravy. You can use canned or fresh tomato paste to make the dish.

9. Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is used to sweeten the dish and to balance out the flavors. You can adjust the amount of sugar you use to suit your taste.

10. Cooking Oil

You will need cooking oil to brown the oxtail and to sauté the vegetables. You can use any cooking oil of your choice.

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s move on to the next section and learn how to make Jamaican oxtail.

Section 2: Ingredients Needed in Making Jamaican Oxtail

1. Selecting the Right Oxtail Meat: Quality Matters

When it comes to making Jamaican oxtail, choosing the right meat is crucial. You don’t want tough or gamey meat to ruin the dish’s flabour and texture. Oxtail usually comes from the tail of cattle and can be found in grocery stores or local butchers. Look for a good cut of oxtail with marbling and avoid those with a lot of fat or bone. The meat should be a vibrant red colour, and it should look juicy and fresh.

2. Seasonings and Spices

The seasonings and spices used in Jamaican oxtail dishes are what make them stand out from regular beef stews. Traditionally, Jamaican seasoning provides a unique blend of flavour that brings the dish to life. These include Scotch bonnet, thyme, garlic, onion, and allspice, with possible additions like ginger, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce.

3. Tomatoes and Bell Peppers

To add colour and flavour to your Jamaican oxtail, use lots of ripe, juicy, sweet tomatoes and vibrant bell peppers. These ingredients will help balance the dish’s flavour, providing a sweet, tangy, and slightly bitter element.

4. Coconut Milk

Adding coconut milk to your oxtail adds a rich, creamy texture that can’t be beaten. Traditional Jamaican oxtails often use coconut milk in their cooking, giving it its velvety texture.

5. Root Vegetables

The use of root vegetables like yams, carrots, and sweet potatoes, add a sweet flavour to the Jamaican oxtail. These ingredients also help to thicken the stew naturally, making it more enjoyable and filling.

6. Flour or Cornstarch Thickener

To make the Jamaican oxtail more toothsome and add thickness to the dish, you can use flour or cornstarch as a thickener. This will add some more flavour, texture, and richness to the finished product.

7. Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are seasonings that you can use to taste. Many recipes call for a generous helping of salt and black pepper, which helps bring out the flavour of oxtail. You can adjust the seasoning while cooking to your own taste.

8. Stock or Broth

The base for the Jamaican oxtail is often made using stock or broth. This broth comes from simmering oxtails and other animal parts for hours. One can also use a veggie stock base, which provides the same savoury flavour that goes well with the herbs and spices needed in the dish.

9. Cooking Oils

In preparing Jamaican oxtail, you need a type of oil like Olive Oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or any other oil you like. Adding the oil will help in sauteing and caramelizing the seasonings and the meat, adding its unique flavour to the dish.

10. Fresh Herbs

To finish off your Jamaican oxtail dish, use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or scallions on top. This will give the dish a refreshingly delicious taste that will make you never forget the experience.

With these ingredients, you’ll have a delicious and authentic Jamaican oxtail dish that will impress anyone you serve it to. So roll up your sleeves, let’s cook some Jamaican oxtail!

Ingredients for Jamaican Oxtail Recipe

When it comes to making Jamaican oxtail, there are a few ingredients that lend to the authentic taste of this savory dish. Here are the most important ingredients that you will need to gather:

Preparation Method

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking your oxtail dish. Here’s the step-by-step preparation method:

Step 1: Preparing the Oxtail

Before you start cooking, rinse the oxtail pieces thoroughly with water and pat them dry. Trim any unwanted fat or bone pieces and cut the oxtail into 2-3 inch pieces. Season them with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 2: Browning the Oxtail

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add some oil and let it heat up. Add the seasoned oxtail pieces and sear them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes until they turn brown. Remove the oxtail pieces from the pot and set them aside on a plate.

Step 3: Sautéing Vegetables

In the same pot, add chopped onions, minced garlic, and thyme. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until they turn fragrant. Then add diced tomatoes, sliced carrots, and potatoes into the pot.

Step 4: Adding Spices and Water

Stir in ground allspice and bay leaves into the pot along with the sautéed vegetables. Cover the pot with a lid and let the ingredients simmer for about 10-15 minutes.

Gradually add water to the pot until the oxtail is fully covered with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the oxtail simmer for around 2-3 hours until it becomes tender.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

When the oxtail is tender enough, add scallions into the pot, and stir them in. Simmer the oxtail for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Your Jamaican oxtail stew is now ready! Serve it hot with some rice or bread, and enjoy the unique flavor of this Jamaican favorite.

Happy Cooking and Thanks for Reading!

I hope my tips on how to make Jamaican oxtail have inspired you to get in the kitchen and give it a try. Don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the process – cooking is all about having fun and experimenting! If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to check back soon for more delicious recipes!