If you crave a dish that’s rich in flavor, tender to the bite, and packed with soulful Caribbean vibes, you’re going to love this Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a comforting hug on a plate, boasting deeply spiced oxtails that have been slow-cooked to perfection alongside vibrant peppers, creamy butter beans, and a luscious gravy that will have you spooning every last bit. Whether you’re familiar with oxtail or it’s your first time, this stew promises to be a delightful journey into Jamaican home cooking that’s both accessible and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating magic in your kitchen. Each component of this Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe brings its own unique splash of color, aroma, and texture, working in harmony to elevate the dish into a soulful celebration of Jamaican flavors.
- 1.5 lb Oxtail: The star of the dish, providing rich, gelatinous meat that turns supremely tender when cooked right.
- 3 Garlic cloves (minced): Adds a fragrant punch that infuses the stew with warmth and depth.
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce: Introduces a tangy umami complexity that balances the richness of the meat.
- 1 tsp Allspice: A signature Jamaican spice that lends subtle warmth and sweetness.
- 2 tsp Chicken bouillon: Boosts savory flavors, making every bite more intense and comforting.
- 1 medium Onion (diced): Provides sweetness and texture, softening beautifully as it cooks.
- ½ Red bell pepper (diced): Adds vibrant color and a mild sweetness that complements the spices.
- ½ Green bell pepper (diced): Brings freshness and a slight crunch to balance the stew.
- 16 oz Butter beans (rinsed): Creamy and hearty, they soak up flavors and add body to the stew.
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste: Deepens the stew’s color and infuses it with a rich, tangy base.
- Cooking oil: Essential for searing the oxtails and sautéing aromatics, locking in flavor.
- Water: The cooking liquid that simmers everything tender and melds flavors beautifully.
How to Make Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Rinse the Oxtails
Start by giving your oxtails a good rinse—not just with water, but with lemon and vinegar too. This simple step helps remove any impurities and trims off excess fat, ensuring a cleaner, fresher base for your stew.
Step 2: Marinate the Oxtails
Next, marinate those rinsed oxtails with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, chicken bouillon, diced onions, peppers, and tomato paste. Letting them soak all these flavors for at least 30 minutes gives the meat a chance to absorb every bit of seasoning, which will shine through in your stew.
Step 3: Sear the Oxtails
Using an Instant Pot on sauté mode, sear the oxtails until beautifully browned on all sides. This caramelization step is crucial because it locks in savory goodness and adds those irresistible deep flavors that make the stew so crave-worthy.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics
After browning the meat, it’s time to sauté the diced onions, red and green bell peppers, and tomatoes right in the same pot. This builds a fragrant, colorful base that’s a lovely partner to the meaty oxtails and rich gravy.
Step 5: Pressure Cook the Stew
Add the oxtails back in along with the necessary water and a few bay leaves for an herbaceous lift. Lock the lid and pressure cook for 20 minutes—the magic of this step transforms the tough oxtail meat into something fall-off-the-bone tender and utterly delicious.
Step 6: Add Butter Beans and Finish Simmering
Once the pressure cooking is done, stir in the butter beans and carrots, letting everything simmer gently for about 5 more minutes. The beans soak up all that savory goodness, thickening the stew’s texture while adding creaminess.
Step 7: Ready to Serve
Your Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe is now bursting with flavor and texture, ready to be enjoyed hot and fresh right from the pot.
How to Serve Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe
Garnishes
While the stew stands out on its own, a sprinkle of fresh chopped scallions or a few sprigs of thyme on top provides a vibrant burst of color and herbaceous aroma that makes every bite even more inviting.
Side Dishes
Traditionally, serving this stew over classic Jamaican rice and peas is a no-brainer. The creamy, herby rice complements the stew’s richness perfectly, but you can also pair it with simple steamed white rice or even buttery fried plantains for a sweet contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a modern twist, serve your oxtail stew in large, shallow bowls with a side of sautéed greens or roasted root vegetables. Alternatively, transform leftovers into a flavorful pie filling or a hearty sandwich for a fun, new way to enjoy this beloved Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the stew cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Stored in the refrigerator, it will stay delicious for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to deepen even more overnight.
Freezing
Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe freezes brilliantly—just portion it out into freezer-safe containers and it will keep well for up to 3 months. This makes it a fantastic option for meal prep or busy days when you want a comforting meal ready to go.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure the stew warms evenly. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s thickened too much, so it stays saucy and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use beef instead of oxtail for this stew?
Absolutely, you can substitute beef chuck or short ribs if you prefer. However, oxtail has a unique gelatinous quality that gives this stew its signature richness and silky texture.
Do I need an Instant Pot to make this recipe?
Not at all! While the Instant Pot speeds things up dramatically, you can make this stew in a slow cooker or on the stovetop by simmering the oxtails gently for a longer period until tender.
What can I use instead of butter beans?
If butter beans aren’t available, lima beans or kidney beans are fantastic alternatives that soak up the stew’s flavors just as well.
Is this Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe spicy?
The base recipe has a balanced mild spice profile, but feel free to add some Scotch bonnet pepper or hot sauce if you like a bit more heat in your stew.
Can I prepare the stew in advance for a dinner party?
Yes! This stew actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld beautifully, making it an excellent dish to make ahead and reheat just before serving.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making and sharing this Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe. It’s a dish that invites you to slow down, savor rich flavors, and enjoy a heartwarming taste of Jamaica in every spoonful. So go ahead, give it a try—you’re in for a culinary treat that’s as comforting as it is unforgettable.
Print
Easy Jamaican Oxtail Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Description
This authentic Jamaican Oxtail recipe offers a rich and flavorful experience with tender oxtails simmered in a savory blend of spices, vegetables, and butter beans. Perfectly cooked in an Instant Pot, this dish delivers deep Caribbean flavors in a fraction of the traditional cooking time, making it an ideal comfort meal served over classic rice and peas.
Ingredients
Meat and Marinade
- 1.5 lb Oxtail
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 2 tsp Chicken bouillon
Vegetables
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- ½ Red bell pepper, diced
- ½ Green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 16 oz Butter beans, rinsed
- 2 medium Carrots, sliced
Other Ingredients
- Cooking oil (about 2 tbsp)
- Water (about 2-3 cups)
- 1–2 Bay leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon (for rinsing)
- 2 tbsp Vinegar (for rinsing)
Instructions
- Prepare the oxtails: Rinse the oxtails thoroughly under running water with lemon juice and vinegar to clean and reduce any strong odor. Trim any excess fat from the meat to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- Marinate the oxtails: Combine the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, chicken bouillon, and oxtails in a bowl. Mix well, ensuring the meat is coated with all ingredients. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Sear the oxtails: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add cooking oil. Once hot, sear the oxtails in batches until they develop a golden-brown crust on all sides. This step enhances the flavor and texture of the meat.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same Instant Pot, add diced onions, red and green bell peppers, and tomato paste. Cook while stirring until the vegetables soften and the tomato paste caramelizes slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pressure cook the oxtails: Return the seared oxtails to the pot. Add water to just cover the contents along with bay leaves. Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, which tenderizes the meat quickly while melding flavors.
- Add butter beans and carrots: After pressure cooking, release the pressure carefully. Add the rinsed butter beans and sliced carrots. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and simmer the mixture uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to heat through and combine flavors.
- Serve: Remove bay leaves, then serve the Jamaican oxtail hot over traditional rice and peas or your preferred side dish for an authentic Caribbean meal experience.
Notes
- Marinating time can be extended to overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Adjust the water quantity to ensure oxtails are just covered to avoid a watery stew.
- Substitute butter beans with lima beans if unavailable.
- Serve with steamed cabbage or fried plantains for a complete Jamaican-style meal.
- Smoking the allspice or adding a Scotch bonnet pepper can enhance the heat and flavor profile.
