🇯🇲 Jamaican Oxtail 

The Island’s Soulful Comfort Dish

Rich, Tender, and Irresistibly Flavorful

If there’s one dish that perfectly captures the heart and soul of Jamaican home cooking, it’s Oxtail Stew. Slow-simmered, deeply seasoned, and bursting with flavor, this dish is Jamaica’s definition of comfort food. Every bite melts in your mouth, enveloped in a savory, sticky gravy that makes it nearly impossible to stop eating.

Oxtail, once considered a humble cut, has become a celebrated delicacy both in Jamaica and abroad. Traditionally, it was the food of the resourceful — families who transformed simple ingredients into something divine through patience, spice, and love. Today, Jamaican Oxtail stands proudly among the island’s most beloved dishes, a staple at Sunday dinners, family reunions, and festive gatherings.

🥘 Ingredients You’ll Need

Serves 4–6 people

• 2 ½ to 3 lbs oxtail, cut into medium pieces

• 1 ½ tablespoons Jamaican browning sauce (for rich color)

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose seasoning or meat seasoning

• 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 stalks scallion (green onions), chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 sprig fresh thyme

• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (optional for heat)

• 1 medium tomato, diced

• 6 pimento (allspice) berries, lightly crushed

• 2 medium carrots, sliced

• 1 can (15 oz) butter beans, drained and rinsed

• 3 cups water or beef stock

👨🏽‍🍳 How to Prepare Jamaican Oxtail — The Authentic Way

1. Clean and Season the Oxtail

Wash the oxtail pieces thoroughly with lime juice or vinegar and rinse with cool water.

In a large bowl, combine oxtail with browning sauce, soy sauce, salt, black pepper, pimento, onion, scallion, thyme, garlic, and tomato.

Mix well so every piece is coated with flavor.

Marinate for at least 2 hours — overnight is best for maximum taste.

2. Brown the Oxtail

Heat the oil in a large Dutch pot or heavy saucepan over medium heat.

Remove oxtail pieces from the marinade (reserve the marinade for later).

Add them to the pot in small batches and brown on all sides.

This step locks in the flavor and gives the stew its signature dark richness.

3. Add Water and Simmer Slowly

Once browned, add the reserved marinade and pour in enough hot water or beef stock to just cover the oxtail.

Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours, or until the meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender.

Keep an eye on it — add more water as needed to maintain a thick, flavorful gravy.

4. Add Carrots and Butter Beans

When the oxtail is nearly done, add the carrots and butter beans.

Simmer uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken naturally.

The butter beans soak up the juices and give the dish its creamy, silky texture.

5. Taste and Finish

Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning if needed.

For a traditional finish, remove the scotch bonnet before serving unless you enjoy a fiery kick!

🍛 Serving Suggestions

Serve hot and savor it with one of these classic sides:

• Rice & Peas — the perfect base for that thick, flavorful gravy

• Boiled or Fried Dumplings — to soak up every last drop

• Steamed Cabbage or Callaloo — for balance and freshness

• Fried Ripe Plantains — for a touch of sweetness against the savory sauce

🌿 Chef’s Tips

• Patience is everything. Oxtail needs time to tenderize; rushing will result in tough meat.

• For extra flavor, brown sugar can be caramelized in the oil before adding the oxtail — a secret used by many Jamaican grandmothers.

• Avoid over-thickening. True Jamaican oxtail gravy is rich, not gluey — it should cling to your rice but still flow easily.

📜 Cultural Note

Oxtail has deep roots in Jamaica’s culinary history. What started as a “poor man’s meal” became a symbol of ingenuity and transformation — turning the simplest of cuts into a meal fit for royalty. Today, Jamaican Oxtail is served everywhere, from street food stalls to fine dining restaurants, cherished as a dish that connects generations through taste and tradition.

💛 Final Word

Jamaican Oxtail isn’t just a recipe — it’s an experience.

It’s the laughter of family around the dinner table, the sound of reggae softly playing in the background, and the aroma that fills the whole neighborhood with anticipation.

So roll up your sleeves, take your time, and savor the joy of preparing Oxtail — The Jamaican Way.

Each tender bite is a taste of the island’s heart and history.

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