This Jamaican Oxtail is a fall-off bone and tender meat recipe ready in 30 minutes. You can save time making oxtails because the instant pot or pressure cooker makes the process quick.
Despite its name, it doesn't contain an ox's tail but rather a cow's tail, which is stewed in herbs, spices and aromatics of deep flavours. Let the flavours fill your home. Since oxtail is a tough part of meat, it requires a long cooking time, but with the instant pot, just a few minutes. Jamaican oxtail isn't only enjoyed in Jamaica but in the Caribbean and the whole world.
This recipe is easy and straightforward, so let's jump right in.
Ingredients Used
- Oxtail
- Fresh Herbs: Green Onion and thyme.
- Aromatics: Garlic and Onion.
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, Carrots, Green and Red Bell Peppers.
- Condiments: Worcestershire sauce and Browning.
- Butter Beans or Lima Beans
- Dry Ingredients: Paprika, Salt, Allspice, Black pepper, Chicken bouillon, Cayenne Pepper.
- Corn Starch
- Brown Sugar
- Bay leaves
- Tomato Paste
Important Recipe Tips
- Always trim excess fat from the ox tail to avoid greasy food.
- The longer the meat marinates, the better. I always plan ahead of time, like marinating overnight.
- Cooking in a pot takes longer than a pressure pot, so prepare for a longer cooking time if you don't own a pressure or instant pot.
- You can add scotch bonnets for a kick of heat.
- If you have green seasoning, feel free to add it. Here is my Green Seasoning Recipe.
How to make Jamaican Oxtail with Pictures.
Check the recipe card at the end of this post for a detailed recipe.
- Wash and rinse oxtail with water, lemon and vinegar. Trim excess fat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Marinate the oxtail with all the above ingredients and mix well with your hand until it is well-coated. Let it marinate.
- Set the instant pot or pressure cooker on sauté. Add the oil and sear each side of the oxtail for 1 minute till brown. It won't be fully cooked at this point. Save the drippings of the marinate for later.
- Add the tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, and tomato paste and keep stirring until they release liquid to deglaze the pot and soften.
- Add the oxtails, drippings from the pan, bay leaves and water. Stir well. Cover the pot, press cancel to leave the sauté option, and pressure cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Allow the steam to release by itself.
- Open the lid and change the option to sauté. Add the green onion, butter beans, and carrot. Mix the cornstarch with water in a separate bowl and add to the pot. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Serve with rice and peas or any side.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER RECIPES
- Green Seasoning
- Jamaican Carrot Drink
- Brown Stew Fish
- One Pot Jerk Chicken and Rice
- Baked Red Snapper
- Escovitch Fish
Jamaican Oxtail
Equipment
Ingredients
To Marinate the Oxtail
- 1.5 lb Oxtail
- 1 teaspoon Browning
- 3 Garlic cloves minced or diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Chicken bouillon or beef, vegetable bouillon
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
- 4 sprigs Thyme 1 teaspoon dried
For The Oxtail Stew
- 1 medium Onion
- ½ Red bell pepper diced
- ½ Green bell pepper diced
- 2 Green onion sliced
- 2 Tomatoes diced
- 16 oz Butter beans rinsed
- 1 cup Baby carrots or chopped whole carrots
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2-3 Bay leaves
- 4 tablespoon Cooking oil
- 3 cups Water plus 3 tablespoon for mixing cornstarch
- Pinch of Salt and Bouillon
Instructions
- Wash and rinse oxtail with water, lemon and vinegar. Trim excess fat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Marinate the oxtail with all the above ingredients and mix well with your hand until it is well-coated.
- Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to overnight. The longer it marinates, the better.
- Set the instant pot or pressure cooker on sauté. Add the oil and sear each side of the oxtail for 1 minute till brown. It won't be fully cooked at this point. Save the drippings of the marinade in the mixing bowl for later.
- Remove the oxtail from the pot and set aside.
- Add the tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, and tomato paste and keep stirring until they release liquid to deglaze the pot.
- Season with a pinch of salt and bouillon, and sauté veggies for 3 minutes until soft.
- Add the oxtails, drippings from the pan, bay leaves and water. Stir well.
- Cover the pot, press cancel to leave the sauté option and pressure cook for 20 minutes on high pressure. Allow the steam to release by itself.
- Open the lid, and change the option to sauté. Add the green onion, butter beans, and carrot.
- Mix the cornstarch with water in a separate bowl and add to the pot. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Serve with rice and peas or any side.
If Using A Stove Top
- Repeat all the above steps, replace the pressure cooker with a stovetop pot, and cook on medium heat for 2-3 hours.
- Check the pot often and add water if needed until it's tender and fall off bone.
Bilikis
This recipe looks so delicious
Carrie Nichols
I haven't tried the recipe yet..I'm looking forward to trying. Will let you know. Looks delicious!
Claudy
Please do.
Charles Monroe
I tried it and it turned out very good, really delicious
Claudy
Thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoyed it.