Spicy Oxtail Recipe: How to Make Mouthwatering Braised Oxtail at Home

Oxtail is often overlooked, but it’s a delicious and hearty cut of meat. When it’s braised with aromatics and spicy seasonings, it’s sure to be a showstopper. This recipe for spicy braised oxtail is full of flavor and easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just beginning to explore the world of oxtail, this recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

What is Oxtail?

Oxtail comes from the sheep, cow, or other bovine animals and is part of the animal’s tail or the part of the neck closest to the tail. It’s a gelatinous cut of meat that is full of rich flavors and melts in your mouth when it’s cooked to perfection. The bones in the oxtail also help to flavor the sauce as the meat is braised.

What is Braising?

Braising is a cooking technique that involves cooking meat in a small amount of liquid over low heat for an extended period of time. This method yields a moist and flavorful result with tender meat. For this recipe, the oxtail will be braised with a mixture of onions, garlic, tomato paste, coriander, cumin, bay leaves, and a splash of wine to give it a bold flavor.

Ingredients for Spicy Braised Oxtail

• 2 pounds of oxtail
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of coriander
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup of dry red wine
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions for Making Spicy Braised Oxtail

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Place a Dutch oven over medium heat and add the oxtail along with the onion and garlic. Saute the meat until it’s brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the tomato paste, coriander, cumin, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the red wine and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and place in the oven to braise for 2 hours.
5. Uncover the pot and continue to cook for an additional hour. If the liquid has evaporated too much, add more water as needed.
6. Once the oxtail is tender, season the dish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately or let the oxtail cool and then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Variations

You can modify this recipe to your tastes by adding other bold flavors, such as fresh jalapeno or habanero peppers for an extra kick. You can also add pico de gallo or salsa verde to the oxtail when it’s served to give it a tangy and bright contrast. Additionally, if you want to make it a one-pot meal, you can add rice, potatoes, and vegetables to the pot when the oxtail is almost finished cooking and let it cook for the remainder of the time.

In Conclusion

This spicy braised oxtail recipe is sure to be a hit with friends and family. It’s full of bold flavors and tender meat that melts in your mouth. This dish can be adjusted to your tastes with additional ingredients and can be made into a one-pot meal for easy clean-up. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments!