Love slow-cooked beef recipes? Try my boneless beef short ribs, beef barbacoa, and beef shanks. Cozy stews and casseroles are a weekly staple in our household during the cooler months. If you love truly tender beef, then cooking with oxtails is a must. After using it to make oxtail soup and this hearty oxtail stew, our family has been converted, and I hope you will be, too!
Why I love this recipe
One pot meal. I love one-pot recipes. It massively reduces the effort of cleaning and simplifies the cooking process. The perfect texture. When cooked over low heat for a long time, oxtail becomes so tender that it melts in your mouth. The meat falls off the bone! Hands-off cooking. Once it’s slow simmering, you can check once every few minutes to confirm nothing is burning or sticking to the base. It also allows me to consider making some sides or even a cheeky dessert. Healthy and filling. Because it is packed with proteins and veggies in a flavorful broth, it’s a wholesome meal in a bowl. Multiple cooking methods. I prefer using the stovetop, but I’ve also tested this in the Instant Pot and slow cooker too!
Ingredients Needed
Oxtails. For this recipe, I prefer 2-3-inch thick chunks of oxtails. Also, choose ones with bone intact, as this adds to the super flavorful gravy. Worcestershire sauce. This is an all-in-one flavor bomb that never disappoints! It adds some tang and umami flavor. Don’t have any on hand? Try some balsamic vinegar. Soy sauce. Balances out the sweet flavors with some savory punch. I used low-sodium soy sauce, but use anything you prefer. Brown sugar. Adding some sugar adds richness and actually helps tenderize the meat even more so it falls off the bone. Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste. Paprika and cayenne pepper. For the smoky and subtle heat. If you aren’t a fan of spice, you can skip the cayenne. Olive oil. To sear the meat. Use any oil you like or even some butter. Carrots and celery. Two non-negotiable vegetables that are a must when cooking hearty cuts of meat. Onion. To flavor the gravy. Garlic. I always use fresh garlic cloves as sometimes the pre-bottled ones are a little gritty and don’t actually infuse much flavor. Red wine. Red wine adds a beautiful depth to the stew and enhances the other ingredients’ natural flavor. Don’t worry, though- you won’t taste any wine whatsoever. Not a fan of alcohol in your cooking? Use more beef broth. Tomato paste. For the concentrated tangy flavor without needing a bunch of tomatoes. Beef broth. Beef stock complements the oxtail flavor wonderfully. Use chicken stock or water instead if you don’t have this on hand. Bay leaves, parsley, and thyme. For herby spice and flavor.
How to make oxtail stew
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Simply put, oxtails are chunks of skinned cattle tails. Rich in collagen and marrow, when slow-cooked for long, they become tender, like braised short ribs. I often describe them as meatier beef chuck short ribs, so if you love them, you will undoubtedly enjoy oxtails.
Arman’s recipe tips
Do NOT cook over high heat. Low and slow is the way to go! Rushing it won’t cook the oxtail to the desired texture and consistency. Cook on a low simmer until you see meat falling off the bone. Make it in advance. Like any good stew or curry, the longer this dish sits, the more flavorful it will be. If I’m making a big serving or intending to feed a crowd, I like to make this up to three days in advance. Don’t buy fatty oxtail pieces. If you can choose your own oxtail portions, look for pieces that have some fat but mostly meat. If you see too much fat on the meat, remove it using a paring knife before cooking. Add beans. Make a Jamaican oxtail stew that features butter beans or lima beans. They cook down with the stew and have the perfect soft texture. I personally prefer butter beans due to their mild flavor. Add rice or pasta. To make this a complete meal, I often cook rice or pasta in the liquid while the oxtails cook. If using rice, it has an almost risotto-like texture. Of course, you can skip this and make a side of mashed potatoes.
Storage instructions
To store. Place stew leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Instant Pot method: Start by setting the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode, heat olive oil, and sear seasoned oxtails until browned. Remove and set aside. Next, sauté carrots, celery, onion, and garlic for 2-3 minutes. Deglaze with red wine, stir in tomato paste and cook for two more minutes. Now, Return oxtails, add beef stock and bay leaves, and stir to combine. Finally, close the lid and set it to “Manual” for 45 minutes at high pressure. Naturally release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Slow cooker method: Once the vegetables are sauteed, add them to a slow cooker, along with the remaining ingredients, and slow cook for 5-6 hours on low. I love serving this oxtail stew over plain or coconut rice, cauliflower mashed potatoes, or with a hunk of cornbread. You could also enjoy it with crusty no yeast bread or dinner rolls that would soak the flavorful stew. Pairing it with some cooked beans, like great northern beans will also balance out this dish. To freeze. Transfer the cooled stew to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months! To reheat. If frozen, thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a pan until heated through.
Frequently asked questions
More comforting soups and stews to try
Albondigas soup Ground turkey soup Stuffed pepper soup Seafood soup Carne Guisada Or any of my soup and stew recipes
