Categorized | Beef
Stewed Oxtail With Butter Beans.
Posted on 11 August 2011
Oxtail was one of those things which was never cooked in our home while growing up (I don’t ever recall my mom cooking this back then), so it’s not something I learned to cook from the main culinary influences in my life… mom, dad, aunt and grandmothers. But the immigrant life is one in which you tend to associate with people who are similar to you and can relate to your struggles, so my friends were from other Caribbean islands. Partially living in each others homes, saw us not only learn about the food from each island, but we all grew a new appreciation for the diverseness of the Caribbean in general. Though the basic foundation to Caribbean food is the same, the end product and methods of preparation can differ.
This recipe for cooking oxtail with butter beans is one I picked up from a restaurant owner (had to beg d man to share) where I would go get my weekly fill of Caribbean food which I didn’t have to cook. I’m sure he didn’t tell me his secrets, but I did add a few things to give it my personal touch. BTW, did you know that the last Stewed Oxtail recipe I shared a while back is one of the more popular dishes I have on the site? See: Savory oxtail in a rich and thick gravy. Take a look at all the comments below it.
You’ll Need…
2lbs of oxtail (ask your butcher to cut it into 1 inch pieces)
1 tin of butter beans (lima)
5 cups of water
1 onion
2 tomatoes
2 scallion (green onions)
1/2 a scotch bonnet pepper (I used a whole one)
2 carrots
3 cloves of garlic
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon of allspice
1/2 tablespoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
* You’ll need about 3 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice to wash the oxtail pieces with (use vinegar as well).
Place the cut pieces of oxtail in a bowl and pour the lime juice over it, give it a good stir and pour in some water. Wash each piece off, then drain. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Now in a fairly large pan, heat the vegetable oil on high and brown the pieces of oxtail. Try not to crowd the pan or it will not brown properly and it will release a tons of liquid. I did mine in two batches.
While this was browning (takes about 15 minutes) I prepared the other ingredients (wash, peeled and chopped)
With the pieces of oxtail all browned, you may need an extra tablespoon of vegetable oil in the pan (not mentioned in the ingredients list above).. add the diced onion and garlic. Let that cook on medium heat for a few minutes. Then add back the pieces of oxtail and top with the herbs and vegetables.
Give that good stir, then add the salt, black pepper and allspice. Now top with the 5 cups of water (enough water to cover everything) and bring to a boil. When it starts boiling, reduce to as low as you can and have it at a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let that simmer (braise) for about 2 hrs or until the meat is tender. We’d like to have the meat fall off the bones. Depending on the age of the oxtail it may take a bit longer for you. If you have a pressure cooker, this will save you a ton of cooking time. NOTE: If you’re using dried butter beans, now would be the time to put them in as well, so they too get tender.
Rinse the can of beans to remove the salty brine-like solution its packed in and add it to the pot. Cover and let cook for another 20 minutes.. until the beans are infused with the flaovours of the stewed oxtails and so that the gravy thickens up a bit. Be gently when handling the beans as they are very tender and can fall apart very easily. NOTE: I cheated a bit and added a 1/4 teaspoon of Caribbean style browning. But this is totally optional.. I wanted a nice caramel colour to my finished dish.
This is one of those dishes where you must have patience to allow it to slowly cook and do it’s thing.. to get tender. Besides this method or using a pressure cooker, I’m sure you can also add everything to a slow cooker (after you’ve browned the ox tail pieces) and let it cook slowly all day while you relax. This pot was enough to serve about 5 people with a side of rice and peas and a nice fresh green salad.
————————–0————————-
— Winner Wanted!—
It’s that time again – we’re giving away the following book (see below) to one lucky person for the month of August. All you have to do is leave me a comment in the comments section below (please say something about this recipe) and your name will be automatically entered to win this fascinating book written by Judi Krogh. If you recall I did a feature on “Easy Cooking In the Caribbean” a few weeks back and with the kindness of Dallison and the Krogh family, we’re able to give out a copy to one lucky winner.
There are two bonus ways you can have your name entered in the contest, giving you 3 chances at winning. Along with leaving a comment below, go to the Facebook fan page and/or the Youtube cooking channel and leave a comment there. I don’t care what your comment is, but it would be nice if you could tell me what you like about Caribbean food and if the recipes I share are helpful.
Here are the rules pertaining to winning the copy of “Easy Cooking In The Caribbean”…
- contest is open to everyone globally
- there are 3 ways to enter your name (see above)
- 1 winner will be chosen at random (if you left 3 comments, your name will be entered 3 times)
- contest is open from August 11 – to midnight August 31.
- winner will be announced within 1 week of the official close date.
- the winner will have 1 week to contact us with mailing address
- we will cover all shipping expenses (standard mail)
I hope you take a moment to enter your name as I’d really like to mail this book out to you. It’s simple, free and a great way to experiment with some traditional and non-traditional Caribbean dishes in your kitchen. Judi left us a wonderful resource that reflects her lifetime passion for cooking and sharing meals with family and friends.
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Oye! before you go… Remember you can watch the cooking videos on the recipe channel and we’d love to interact with you on our Facebook fan page. There’s a few thousand of us already causing commesse on there… so do check it out.
250 Responses to “Stewed Oxtail With Butter Beans.”
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Hi Chris,
Thanks for taking the time to send the recipies,I really enjoy cooking and really love all your recipies.
Keep up the good work! I also give the recipies to my son and friends.
Elizabeth
This is great my son is away in college and this would be helpful to keep his caribbean roots.
This recipe looks good. I think I might try this one.
I love oxtails and this recipe is mouthwatering. I must try it. Thanks.
I love Broad Beans! They are my go to Beans. I love them tossed with lime juice, olive oil, tomatoes & broccoli!! Yummy. Or a Broad Bean Ital Stew with Coconut Milk, or as a dip with pita chips. Or Curried, gosh I could go on & on. They are a vegan's best friend!!
This is one recipe I will pass, oxtails is way too expensive where I come from
i was searching the web for some good cooking for vegetarian when i came across yours. you made my day. and i have invited some of my friends to try it as well.i am really thankful to God for you.
Hi Chris,
I'm a "Trini" and when it comes to cooking it's all about seasoning our meats. I was surprised that you missed this step. The seasoning not only marinates the meat but it's more tasty and flavorful. Try adding some coconut cream about 5-10 mins before it's done and you'll be amazed as well.
Thanks for sharing your time and recipes with us!
Theresa; You said that you are a "Trini"; this is a Jamaican recipe, please respect the authenticity of our cuisine and refrain from suggesting that a lifetime of cooking oxtail in this way should be altered to suit your cultural preferences. If YOU wish to change the recipe to suit yourself that is fine but this recipe I believe was shared with the aim of educating people about how to make authentic Jamaican style oxtail.
Good job Chris.
Hi!
I tried the above receipe and it is delicious!!!!!!!
WOW! Chris, have never cooked oxtails before but will definitely give this recipe a go.
Thanks a million.
This looks inviting, your recipes are you easy to do and tasty. I can't wait for your next post.
Wow, I think you've convinced me to try my hand at an oxtail recipe – now that's something! Lovin' your other recipes, by the way
Great recipe will be sure to try it soon always love your step by step photos.
Finger licking good is all that I can say – bring it on!!!!!!
So far every recipe I have tried has been good. Thanks for posting.
I'll have to give this one a try
Hello Chris,
Thanks for this recipe. All of them are so easy. I tried the curry goat a while back and my hubby loved it.
oh gorm i love this recipe , i am a food and nutrition teacher in trinidad and i want to thank you Chris forr some ofthe mouth watering recipes you provide . My students are constantly challenged to find ways to use local foods to prepare 2 and 3 course meals . This is another blessing, i am sure they will have fun making this dish .
Hey chris , me anecia here again , guess what ,my mom is an oxtail fanatic so i sent her the link , she sent me back a message to say she going and cook up and oxtail storm tomorrow in NYC ooh i am in trouble now she going to want recipes all the time now !!!!!!
Hi Chris I just want to say thanks for your recipes. I am alergic to meat of all kinds, I could only eat seafoods but now that i have the recipes I can cook the perfect meals for my family ,because the measurements are there which give me no reason to taste which could cause prolems for me.
I cooked the perfect oxtail with white beans because i did not have the butter beansI got so much praise for it . my niece even wants me to shoe her how to cook it, I told her where I got the recipe and gave her your website. I am happy everyone enjoyed it.
I did the steamed fish for myself, it was amazingly delicious and it caused me to pig out
thanks for helping out
Brenda
I love how you keep the methods simple. Anyone can follow and do exactly as you did. Keep the dishes coming. I look forward to them everyday. It also allows me to teach my kids the art of cooking tasty dishes.
Another fine oxtail recipe, and autumn is well on it's way here in London
(( This will definitely help!
Very good Chris i could work on this oxtail and i tried the breadfruit recipe already so what a combo; just keep it coming and i will keep cooking.
This is my first time on this site and already i see some stuff i would like to try out, so once i try this out you will hear from me
Chris, this was a "likkle" taste of home. I served it with roasted breadfruit in addition to the rice and had the family licking their fingers. Now we have to lobby for a reduction in the price of oxtails, for I can't believe the price. Maybe someone will gift-wrap some for me for Christmas! LOL!
I love oxtail and beans so I can't wait to try this recipe on the weekend. The recipe seems easy to follow.
Thanks for sharing these excellent and succulent Caribbean recipes. I love them.
Chris my mouth started to water when I saw the picture before I even read what the dish was – can hardly wait to dive into this recipe….. thx!
My children don't like butter beans but I am willing to try this recipe..I believe the taste will change their perception of the butter beans for future recipes. Will keep you informed. Thanks for sharing.
this looks very delicious
I have never cooked this before and your recipe looks so easy to follow. I am cooking this tomorrow instead of soup.
I am cooking this today instead of soup. I am going to follow this recipe to the T and if it comes out as nice nice of your picture I will cook it on Sunday and carry it to my mother.
I did this recipie and it was delicious, thanks caribbean pot.
Chris..i live in Michigan and some of your seasoning are hard to find.Is there a website or a place where i can find the hard to find seasons.
We put in some Reggae Reggae sauce and tomato ketchup. This is one of my favourite meals.
soundz yummy someone come cook it for me lol
Greeting to the chef: I TIP MY HAT OFF TO YOU. Mr. Christ your beautiful illustrated recipe and instructional guidance motivates even an novice to cook.your recipe open the doors for every women that desire a husband. There,s a saying to a man,s heart is to his stomach. Thank you for giving we women the right tools. Thank you.
this looks good
Theresa; You said that you are “Trini”; this is a Jamaican recipe, please respect the authenticity of our cuisine and refrain from suggesting that a lifetime of cooking oxtail in this way should be altered to suit your cultural preferences. If YOU wish to change the recipe to suit yourself that is fine but this recipe I believe was shared with the aim of educating people about how to make authentic Jamaican style oxtail.
Good job Chris.
Hate it the gravy was nice but the meat had no flavor rice and bean was great but this stew oxtail with bean need major work
Chris thanks for the recipe. It really looks good. I will try it some day.
Over the past few years I have tried many of the recipes from this site and have enjoyed all of them, thanks and my reguards to the family.