The Best Authentic Jamaican Oxtails Recipe (2024)

December 3, 2019 | Last Updated on January 29, 2023 by Patricia Valbrun

The Best Authentic Jamaican Oxtails Recipe is SUPER flavorful rich and falls off the bones tender with butter beans. Oxtails are a super fatty meat that is best made with Caribbean spices to enhance the flavor.

I remember there was a time in my life when oxtails were one of my favorite things to eat. Now that I'm older, I get to experiment with different caribbean spices to get the best flavors. Pair these with rasta pasta, rice and cabbage and plantains or any side dish of your choice.

My favorite ways to cook authentic jamaican oxtail stew is to slow braise them which helps break down the meat so it's soft and tender. Slow braising your meat requires it to cook for a few hours, so on a chill day is the perfect time to make this dish.

What Goes In Jamaican Oxtails

Oxtails: Choose oxtails with very little fat on them.

Butterbeans: Butterbeans are a traditional ingredient in oxtail stew.

Dry seasoning: I used jerk seasoning and adobo which is an all-purpose seasoning, but meat seasoning or oxtail seasoning will also work.

Epis (Green seasoning): leaks, garlic, thyme, parsley, scotch bonnet pepper, maggie, cloves and olive oil.

Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dish.

Browning: Traditionally used in Jamaican cooking to darken the food.

Ketchup: This is optional, but can be added for additional flavor.

How to Make The Best Authentic Jamaican Oxtail Recipe with Butter Bean

1. To marinate, cover the oxtails and let them soak in the marinade in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
2. To cook the oxtails, heat some oil in a pot and braise the oxtails slowly on low heat until they are nicely browned. Be sure to constantly rotate the oxtails to ensure they cook evenly. Cover the pot and let the oxtails cook for approximately 1 hour.
3. Once the oxtails are cooked, prepare the sauce by mixing together soy sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar. Add the sauce to the oxtails and cover the pot. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
4. After 15 minutes, add the butterbeans and stir. Cook for an additional 15 minutes and the dish is ready to serve.

How to Make Jamaican Oxtail Seasoning

Oxtails, Dutch Oven or Large Pot, Caribbean green seasoning, scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, onions, garlic, browning, soy sauce. These items or ingredients has to be my go to when making Caribbean dishes.

You can also choose to marinate the meat with these seasonings before cooking if you enough time on your hands. A little tip when braising the meat.

After you slow cook the meat on both sides for color do not wash the pot, remove the meat to start cooking the vegetables. Keep all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan because this is where all the flavor is .

How to Make Oxtails Tender

To make oxtails tender, braise them slowly on low heat or pressure cook them. Marinating the oxtails in a acidic marinade or adding a tenderizing agent can also help to tenderize the meat.

Oxtails are great for braising and require a long cooking time — usually about 2-3 hours. Slow cooking breaks down the connective tissue and renders it tender and allows it to fall off the bone. Which is what I recommend, especially for first-timers.

Additionally, if you can have the butcher cut the oxtail into medium pieces, that’d be good. It helps cut down on the cooking time. Oh, and make sure you pick out the ones with less visible fat.

Are Oxtails A Jamaican Food?

Yes, oxtails are a traditional Jamaican food. They are often braised or stewed and are known for their rich, hearty flavor and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Can I Cook Oxtails In a Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker ?

Yes! You can easily prepare Jamaican Oxtails in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Follow the same instructions given in this recipe. Time varies depending on which brand of cooker you have at home.

To get the best pressure cooking instructions, be sure to consult the manual that came with your specific pressure cooker model. This will provide you with specific cooking times and pressure release methods that are safe and effective for your appliance.

It is also a good idea to check online for additional tips and recommendations from other pressure cooker users.

What To Serve With Jamaican Oxtails

Jamaican oxtails are typically served with a variety of side dishes, such as rice and peas, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and plantains. They can also be served with a variety of sauces, such as gravy or a spicy tomato-based sauce.

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Yellow Rice and Red Beans

Cabbage and Collard Greens

Coconut Rice

Shrimp and Grits