Slow braised red wine oxtail | Bibbyskitchen recipes (2024)

Slow braised red wine oxtail | Bibbyskitchen recipes (1)

If you find yourself in hibernation mode with a crackling fire to warm your toes and a ruby red in hand, this hearty slow-braised Red Wine Oxtail has your name on it. Oxtail is the ultimate weekend food. A time for slow cooking and lazy lunches shared with good friends and restorative conversations.

Ever since visiting the Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate in the Cape last December, I’ve been intent on making a comforting oxtail. Although it was in summer that we visited , I remember sitting outside, shaded from the heat by cascading grape vines, sipping on chilled wines and eating pillowy-soft ravioli filled with shredded oxtail.

Anyone who’s made oxtail knows, it’s hardly challenging, needing only a few ingredients but, a fair portion of patience. Oxtail is a waiting game, although the oven does all the work, slowly eliciting its mouthwatering gelatinous flavour. If you’re ravenous, as a winter belly tends to be, start the stew mid-morning to be ready for Sunday lunch. It can also be made the day before and reheated when needed. After several hours in the oven, you’ll be rewarded with a sticky red wine sauce and spoon tender oxtail, ready for the weekend table.

A rich meat such as this, needs somewhere soft to nestle like say, fluffy mashed potatoes.I rather like the idea of creamy parmesan polenta. For a rich dish, such as oxtail, I like to keep the vegetable sides light. Perhaps steamed green beans or orange and thyme poached carrots. Bread will also help – for bowl mopping. A spectacular main deserves a classy finish. Here I would recommend my spicy Cape brandy pudding. It can only but be, a gratuitously happy weekend.

Slow braised red wine oxtail

Serves6-8

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.8kg oxtail, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 large red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 long celery sticks, diced
  • 3 carrots peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • several stems of fresh thyme and oregano, de-stalked
  • 4 bay leaves
  • zest of half lemon
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1/2 cup water
  • bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoons Morgenster lemon enhanced olive oil
  • zest and juice of half a lemon
  • pinch of Kalahari desert salt
  1. Preheat the oven to 180º C. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep cast iron pot or oven-proof saucepan. Season the oxtail generously on both sides with salt and black pepper. Brown the meat in batches on both sides and then set aside.
  2. Add a little more oil to pot and sauté the onions until softened. Add the garlic, celery and carrots and cook for a further 4-5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, herbs, lemon zest, sugar and tomatoes. Pour in the wine and allow to bubble up to lift all the meaty flavour at the bottom.
  4. Add the chopped tomatoes, beef stock and water. Place the oxtail pieces back into the pot along with all the resting juices. Season lightly with salt. Cover with the lid and cook in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Check the meat after 2 hours and add a little more water if necessary.
  5. Once the sauce is reduced and thickened, check the seasoning.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the parsley, olive oil, lemon zest and salt flakes. Serve the oxtail with the herb oil, mashed potatoes or polenta and steamed green beans.

If you like slow cooked stews and hearty soups, you might like to try these Bibbyskitchen favourites:

Wintery Oxtail noodle soup

Red wine beef stew with potato gratin

North African Lamb knuckle bredie

18 Comments. Leave new

  • Dianne Hildyard

    10 June 2016 11:40 am

    Hi Di, Fantastic recipe thank you. I had the inspired idea of also adding the rind of a whole orange. Added an amazing dimension to the recipe. It has people doing a double take and wondering what the flavour is. Many thanks for your recipes.

  • Hello Dianne. That sounds completely delicious. I’m sure the orange is also a fresh and citrusy contrast to the richness of the meat. I’m definitely going to try it next time. Thank you for stopping in. Have a great weekend!

  • 12 June 2016 12:24 am

    It may be summer here in England, but I am still putting the heating on some days when the rain seems endless and there is no sign of the sun! This is exactly the sort of dish I crave on those days, a slow rich braise served with a pile of buttery mash! Heaven! <3 x

  • Dianne Bibby

    12 June 2016 11:32 am

    On my last trip to the UK it rained everyday. There was plenty of huddling into coffee shops and wonderfully rich stews with turnips, carrots and of course, potatoes – my husbands absolute favourite kind of food!

  • Domenica

    12 October 2017 3:26 am

    I was wondering if this could be cooked in a slow cooker? If so, how long would you recommend? I was thinking low heat for 8 hours…

  • Dianne Bibby

    25 October 2017 5:54 am

    Hi Domenica. This cut of meat is ideal for long, slow cooking. Overnight for 8 hours is perfect. I’d just reduce the liquid slightly, as one would for all slow cooker recipes.

  • 12 August 2018 7:45 am

    Deliciously tempting. I’m making oxtail today, and as I’m test driving pressure cooker today I’ll try to incorporate your magic under pressure. Cooking time about an hour only, (plus 20 minutes releasing pressure) but time will tell if it will have that liplekker sticky gelatinous loveliness that 4 hours bring!

  • Dianne Bibby

    12 August 2018 2:02 pm

    I’m keen to know how it turns out, Errieda. My mom is a firm believer in the powers of a pressure cooker, but I’m still hedging towards the low and slow method. Either way, I’m sure you’ll still be licking your post Sunday-lunch lips.

  • Walt

    2 June 2019 1:50 pm

    Hi a great recipe I hadn’t tried the chorus flavour before. Another great version is to àdd a bit of chilli with the herbs.

  • Ntokozo

    7 June 2019 7:09 pm

    It is bitterly cold in the Cape today and hopefully tomorrow it will be too. Cant wait to try this Recipe tomorrow and give you feedback.

  • Dianne Bibby

    8 June 2019 2:52 pm

    Hi Ntokozo. I believe it’s cold and rainy. This will be the perfect way to warm up. I hope you love it!

  • Dianne Bibby

    8 June 2019 2:59 pm

    Thank you Walt. It’s one of the most loved meat recipes on the blog. I think some chilli will definitely give it extra warmth and flavour.

  • gail

    30 October 2019 5:36 pm

    I always find red wine in oxtail too rich. Can I leave it out?

  • Dianne Bibby

    31 October 2019 4:41 pm

    Hi Gail. Not at all. Food is very accommodating. Just add a little more water and maybe some weak chicken stock. That should do it.

  • Neville Douglas

    24 January 2020 2:41 pm

    Made this, it is truly wonderful, thanks for sharing

  • Dianne Bibby

    30 January 2020 9:49 am

    Hello Neville. I’m so happy to hear you loved it. It’s my go-to recipe for hearty, winter food. Always requires a lovely crusted bread to mop the pan!

  • Christa Scholtz

    28 June 2021 10:01 am

    Good morning! I made this over the weekend, and it was delicious! I just found some instructions a bit confusing. The tomatoes are added twice, first in Step 3 and again in Step 4.
    Same with the lemon zest in Steps 3 and 6. It also doesn’t say when to add the lemon juice.

    I will definitely make this again, thank you!

  • Dianne Bibby

    5 July 2021 1:56 pm

    Hello there Christa. So glad you overlooked the tomato and lemon issue and soldiered on! Sorry about that. I have amended the tomato addition in the recipe. For the lemony dressing, add both zest and juice – step 6 Best regards Di

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Slow braised red wine oxtail | Bibbyskitchen recipes (3)

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Slow braised red wine oxtail | Bibbyskitchen recipes (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to brown oxtails before cooking? ›

Browning your oxtails will not cook the meat. Instead, it will enhance its color and aroma by caramelizing its exterior. Browning beef oxtails in a hot skillet before braising will also add rich depth and flavor to the meat.

What red wine goes with oxtail? ›

Wine matches for Oxtail:
  • •Barbera, Italy.
  • •Brunello di Montalcino, Italy.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon, USA.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon, France.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina.
  • •Cabernet Sauvignon (aged), Australia.

What do you eat with braised oxtails? ›

Oxtail is best served with something to soak up the sauce, like pasta or noodles, rice, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, and crusty bread.

Why do Jamaicans love oxtail? ›

The History and Tradition of Jamaican Oxtail

The origin of stews like oxtail can be traced back to our colonial heritage. Enslaved Africans on plantations were given very meager amounts of protein and often had to make do with cheaper cuts of meat or ends of slaughtered animals to add protein to their diets.

What happens if you don't brown meat before cooking? ›

If you don't brown your meat, you'll end up with a rich, silky, tender texture. On the other hand, your flavor won't be as deep.

Why do you soak oxtail before cooking? ›

By soaking and blanching the oxtail before cooking any impurities are removed. To cook: Oxtail requires long, slow cooking to produce tender, succulent meat.

What is the best red wine to cook with beef? ›

Best red wine for cooking beef - Merlot

Red wine and beef are a match made in heaven. While most medium-dry red wine varietals work well in beef dishes; a Merlot, with its medium tannins and moderate body is an excellent choice.

How many pounds of oxtail do I need for two people? ›

Use a pound of oxtail per person; 3-3.5 pounds (bone included) should be enough for three adults. Let oxtail cook as long as possible in a slow cooker for meat that falls off the bone. At the shop, ask the butcher to saw the oxtail into pieces no more than 2 inches thick. This will make cooking it easier.

Is braised oxtail healthy? ›

Packed with protein, minerals, and vitamins, oxtail is healthy and nutritious. However, its nutritional crowning jewel is none other than its high collagen content which brings oxtail into the realm of the superfood.

What makes oxtail taste good? ›

There is a good amount of fat and collagen that melt into your dishes as oxtail cooks, which will give a wonderful round texture to sauces and that slightly sticky feel to the meat. And the bonus flavor from the bone marrow that will cook into your dishes make this cut one to really get to know and not be afraid of!

Is oxtail jamaican or african? ›

Jamaican oxtail in particular is reminiscent of the African one-pot cooking traditions used by the African slaves and maroons on the island as early as the mid-1500s. Island Spice Grill is bringing the classic to New York City's streets. So I found Leigh-Ann. We are in downtown Brooklyn, on Court Street.

What ethnicity eats oxtail? ›

Oxtails are seen primarily in Caribbean and Soul Food restaurants. Inspectors who do not have a number of these facilities in their jurisdiction might not recognize what they are and how they should be handled. Oxtails are beef and should be cooked to 145°F.

Which country makes the best oxtail? ›

Oxtail Recipe Face-Off: Unveiling the Best from Different...
  • Jamaican Oxtail: A Rich Stew of Tradition and Flavor. ...
  • Kkori Gomtang (Korean Oxtail): A Symphony of Subtlety. ...
  • Coda alla Vaccinara (Roman Style Oxtail): A Taste of Rome's Heart. ...
  • Rabo De Toro (Spanish Oxtail): A Hearty Spanish Delight.
Oct 16, 2023

Do I need to soak my oxtails before cooking? ›

Soak the oxtail in cold water for 1 hour. Place in a pan of fresh water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. By soaking and blanching the oxtail before cooking any impurities are removed. To cook: Oxtail requires long, slow cooking to produce tender, succulent meat.

Why do you have to brown meat before boiling it? ›

"Creating that Maillard reaction, where you are caramelizing the proteins and natural sugars in your meat, is building flavor. That flavor will then slowly make its way into the braising liquid and create a depth of flavor you just can't achieve otherwise."

Do you have to brown meat first? ›

"The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish." If you are making a slow-cooked recipe that calls for ground beef, like chili, beef stew, or meat sauce, browning the meat beforehand makes a huge difference.

What is browning for oxtails? ›

Jamaican Browning Sauce is a classic condiment for dishes like brown chicken stew, jerk chicken, oxtail, pork chops, peas and rice, stew beef, shrimp, fried fish, and even black cake. What is this? Sugar and water are the only two ingredients you need to make browning sauce. Although, you can buy it in a bottle.

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