Curried Oxtail Recipe (Jamaican Curry Oxtails)

This Curried Oxtail Recipe is your answer to what is the best way to cook oxtails! Think of my easy Jamaican Oxtail Curry Recipe like a delicious and flavorful Jamaican beef stew. After browning the oxtails, we’re slow simmering them with curry powder, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and tomato. You’ll also learn where to buy oxtails, the price of oxtails, nutrition info, and much more.

What is oxtail? Is oxtail really ox or cow? Oxtail is the skinned tail of beef cattle or veal that’s been chopped into pieces. Oxtail used to come just from oxen, but now the tails of cow or ox are used (source).

Why is oxtail so tough? Oxtail is tough because the muscle is fibrous and contains a lot of connective tissue. The best way to make a good curry oxtail stew is to slow simmer the meat, melting down the collagen into gelatin.

A well-prepared oxtail is flavorful and fall-off the bone tender, never tough. One way to achieve this is to pressure cook the meat. Here, you’ll learn how to cook oxtail without a pressure cooker.

The process is easy, and will rival a curry oxtail restaurant recipe. And if you haven’t tried oxtail before, you’re in for a treat. Oxtail definitely makes the list for one of my favorite offal or variety meats. It’s so very good.

Jump to:

• ➕ How to Make Oxtail Curry
• 🐄 Can you overcook oxtail?
• 🤔 Where Can I Buy Oxtails?
• 💸 Is oxtail a poor man’s food?
• ⭐ What are the health benefits of eating oxtails?
• 🌡️ Can you leave oxtail out overnight?
• 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
• FAQs
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Sides for Curry Oxtail Recipes
• The Disclaimer…
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

➕ How to Make Oxtail Curry

Once you get the pot going, making curried oxtails is very hands-off. Since this does take some time on the stove, you’re going to want to save this recipe for the weekend. Don’t turn your stove on and leave it unattended.

Curried Oxtail Recipe Ingredients

Here’s your shopping list to make curry oxtail:

• 1½ lbs oxtail (680 grams)
• 1½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Salt and pepper
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 2 tablespoons curry powder (Jamaican curry powder is delish and may be used if you can find it)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spicy heat)
• 28 ounces crushed tomato
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup light coconut milk (from a can)
• 3 medium carrots
• 2 russet potatoes (about 1 lb or 454 g)

Scotch bonnet pepper is an extremely hot pepper popular in Caribbean cuisine. You can use one finely chopped Scotch bonnet in place of the cayenne for a more authentic Jamaican recipe.

The other item you need to make this curry is a large pot. I used a big enameled pot. I don’t recommend using cast iron here, as the stew may dry out too quickly (necessitating more liquid).

Jamaican Curry Oxtail Recipe

Here are the step by step directions for this easy curry oxtail recipe:

1. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the oxtails.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oxtails in a single layer to the pot, and brown on both sides. (It takes about 5 minutes per side.) Remove them from the pot, and set the oxtails aside on a plate.

3. Don’t clean the pot, there’s a lot of flavor in there! Add ½ tablespoon of oil and cook the onion until softened. It takes about 5 minutes over medium-high heat.

4. Add the garlic, ginger, curry powder, and cayenne to the pot. Stir constantly, and heat until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

5. Turn the stovetop heat down to low. Add the tomatoes, water, coconut milk, and oxtail pieces to the pot. Simmer on low for 3 hours. Partially cover the pot while simmering, leaving the lid just a little askew to let the steam escape.

6. Check on the stew periodically. If the stew is getting too dry while simmering you can add a little more water. (If you keep the heat low enough, you should not need to.)

7. While the curried oxtail stew simmers, peel and cut the potatoes and carrots into chunks.

8. After the simmering time is up, turn the heat up to medium-low and add the carrots and potatoes to the pot. Simmer, with the pot partially covered, until the veggies are tender. This should take about 30-60 minutes more.

9. I like to garnish this curried oxtail recipe with parsley or cilantro and serve on rice. (Find more serving suggestions for this recipe below!)

Do oxtails need to be washed before cooking?

No, cleaning oxtails before cooking isn’t necessary and doing so can splash bacteria on the surfaces of your kitchen. According to the USDA, cooking meat and poultry to a safe internal temp is the best way to kill germs. They advise that “washing these products is risky and not necessary for safety” (source).

So, what happens if you don’t wash meat before cooking? You save yourself time, and may help prevent food poisoning.

Oxtail should be cooked to a minimum safe internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63C). Since it’s on the heat for 3-4 hours, I don’t check it with a meat thermometer, but you’re welcome to. In general, oxtail will reach a higher temp than 145F before it gets nice and tender.

Can you leave the fat on oxtails?

In short, yes. The white stuff on oxtail is likely fat, tendon, or bone. I don’t trim the fat off oxtails, because it adds so much flavor. You can see how much fat is on my oxtails in the photos, and trim if yours are extra fatty.

Do you have to brown oxtails before cooking?

Yes, you should sear or brown oxtails to help lock in the flavor and juices before simmering. Pan fried oxtails are tough, and you do still need to simmer or slow cook them to get them tender. The combination of browning and simmering makes the best oxtails.

That said, you can get away with skipping this step if you are short on time. If you aren’t too fussy, you might not notice the difference.

How do I get my oxtails tender?

Why is my oxtail not getting soft? If not pressure cooking, you MUST cook oxtails for a long time over low heat to get them tender. You can use the stovetop, Instant Pot, a slow cooker, or make smoked oxtails to do this.

Quick grilling and air frying are not good methods for cooking oxtails. However, you can combine these cooking techniques with a slow cooking method.

The tough connective tissue in oxtail needs a long cook time over low heat to break down. This is why oxtail needs to be cooked for so long.

What should I marinate my oxtails in?

Marinating oxtails is optional, but using a marinade can help to tenderize oxtails, shortening the cooking time. You can marinate oxtails in any of your favorite beef marinades. Red wine marinades, soy sauce-based marinades, and citrus marinades (lime juice or lemon juice based and others) all work well with oxtails.

Do you have to soak oxtail before cooking?

Should I soak oxtails in vinegar? You do not have to soak oxtails before cooking. However, soaking oxtails in an acidic marinade (such as one made with vinegar) can help tenderize them before cooking.

What does oxtail seasoning consist of?

In this recipe, I’ve seasoned oxtails with curry powder, ginger, garlic, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. You can season oxtail with any of your favorite seasonings for beef. Here are some other ideas:

• Italian seasoning
• Parsley
• Basil
• Oregano
• Cajun seasoning
• Jerk seasoning
• Allspice
• Cumin
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Curry leaves
• Scallion

Why is oxtail meat served with bones?

Oxtail bones add a lot of flavors to the oxtail soup, stew, or braise while cooking. Though some of the meat does fall off the bone, some remains attached and it’s tedious to carve it all away.

The bone to meat ratio of oxtail is rather high. I think if you discarded the bone before serving, the portion of meat wouldn’t look sufficient to the average American. It’s important to keep in mind that oxtail is an extremely rich food, and meant to be enjoyed in smaller portions.

🐄 Can you overcook oxtail?

Though it’s technically possible to overcook oxtail, it’s much more likely for a tough oxtail to be undercooked. Make sure to keep liquid in the pan while slow simmering. If you cook oxtail with dry heat, it’s more likely to get tough.

🤔 Where Can I Buy Oxtails?

Oxtail can be difficult to find in mainstream US supermarkets. I buy oxtail at a store that specializes in East Asian foods. You can buy oxtails online at Amazon here, or at US Wellness Meats here.

💸 Is oxtail a poor man’s food?

Is oxtail a cheap meat? It was at one time, but not anymore! Oxtail used to be cheap, but it seems to have undergone a sort of gentrification in recent years. It now commands a higher price.

People seem to have caught on to how absolutely delicious this cut of meat is. You can now even occasionally find it in Whole Foods.

How much are oxtails?

The beef oxtail price at my local international food store is $8.99 per pound. Whole Foods sometimes has grass fed oxtails for $12.99/lb and US Wellness Meats has them for $13.65/lb. Prices are correct at the time of writing and may vary by location.

⭐ What are the health benefits of eating oxtails?

What are the benefits of oxtails? Here are the nutrition facts for oxtails with the visible fat eaten (per Cronometer for 4 ounces/113 grams):

• Calories: 283
• Carbs: 0 gram
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Fat: 17 grams
• Saturated fat: 7 grams
• Cholesterol: 90 mg
• Protein: 30 grams
• Thiamin: 6% DV
• Riboflavin: 9% DV
• Niacin: 40% DV
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% DV
• Vitamin B6: 33% DV
• Vitamin B12: 26% DV
• Choline: 21% DV
• Folate: 2% DV
• Vitamin A: 0% DV
• Vitamin C: 0% DV
• Calcium: 3% DV
• Iron: 10% DV
• Magnesium: 7% DV
• Phosphorus: 24% DV
• Potassium: 11% DV
• Selenium: 47% DV
• Zinc: 37% DV

Beef oxtails are an excellent source of many B vitamins, including niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. It’s also an excellent source of the minerals phosphorus, and selenium, and highly bioavailable zinc.

Nutrition info for the curry oxtails recipe is located in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Are oxtails considered red meat?

Yes, oxtails are a cut of beef and are considered to be a red meat.

Can I eat oxtails on a keto diet?

Depending on the recipe, oxtails are compatible with low carb, keto, and gluten free diets. (Vegan and vegetarian dieters need to sit this one out, of course.)

🌡️ Can you leave oxtail out overnight?

No, oxtail is a highly perishable food that should never be left out at room temperature overnight. You should keep oxtail at room temp for no more than 1-2 hours before refrigerating or freezing.

You can keep cooked and raw oxtail for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Both raw and cooked oxtail can be frozen. I recommend storing them in a vacuum sealed freezer bag for long-term freezer storage. You can reheat cooked curried oxtails (thawed) for about 1-2 minutes in the microwave on high.

💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian

This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Is oxtails a healthy meat? It depends on what “healthy” means to you. Oxtails have a lot to offer nutritionally, including B complex vitamins, zinc, protein, and iron. However, they’re also fairly high in saturated fat.

If your priority is to maintain a heart healthy diet, oxtails are not the best choice. If you’re looking for something delicious and low carb-friendly, oxtails are a wonderful treat. I’d argue that they’re a lot healthier than treats such as soda and lollipops that are mostly empty calories.

(Note that this particular Jamaican oxtail stew is not low carb. For a lower carb recipe, substitute the potato with chunks of cauliflower.)

Though not well-known in many regions of the United States, oxtails are a popular food in many areas of the world. They’re a delightfully tasty comfort food, perfect for the autumn and winter stew season.

Oxtails also offer a bit of portion control with their low meat to bone ratio. They can be especially fun for kids who are adventurous eaters because you get to use your fingers and suck the tender meat off the bones. If you haven’t tried them yet, I hope this recipe inspires you to do so!

FAQs

👩🏻‍🍳 Sides for Curry Oxtail Recipes

I like to serve curried oxtail like I serve other curries, with white rice or brown rice. Indeed, you’ll often find recipes for Jamaican oxtail with rice and peas.

You can also make oxtails and grits, mashed potato, fufu, or your favorite starch. Here are some more ideas for sides for curry oxtail:

• Kodiak Cakes Cornbread
• Costco Cauliflower Rice
• Costco Mac and Cheese
• Baked Potato at 375
• Instant Pot Butter Beans

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The Disclaimer…

All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.

The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.

For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking!

📖 Recipe