Oxtails are sections of a cow’s tail that have been skinned and cut into short lengths. Each piece has a segment of tailbone with marrow in the center and a small portion of gelatinous meat surrounding the bone. Because they are bony and fatty, oxtails require a long cooking time, making them ideal for braising or preparing in a slow-cooker. The dish was most likely first created in America by enslaved Africans who often were only given the undesirable parts of animals that the plantation owners wouldn’t eat. Little did they know that by slow-cooking this unique cut of meat, the marrow and collagen are released, making it very flavorful. Oxtails remain a popular soul food, especially in the South among African Americans and West Indian communities. Most commonly they are served in a stew or smothered in a brown gravy over rice.
Recipe Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef oxtails
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 Tbsp salt, more to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper, more to taste
- 1 Tbsp Greek seasoning
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- 2 Tbsp bacon drippings or shortening
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups broth from cooked oxtails
- 2 dashes browning sauce
- Garlic powder, to taste
Directions
- Combine the oxtails, garlic, onion, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, Greek seasoning, and seasoning salt in a large pot.
- Add enough water to the pot to cover the oxtails and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Cover the pot, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 2½ؘ–3 hours.
- Remove the pot from the heat and reserve 2 cups of the broth.
- Warm the bacon drippings or shortening in a large skillet set over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the broth and browning sauce. Season with additional salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens and then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Place the oxtails in the skillet, stirring to coat them in the gravy.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice, if desired.
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