Southern oxtails are a true comfort food, known for their rich, tender meat that falls off the bone after slow cooking in a flavorful gravy. If you’re looking for the best oxtail recipe to impress your family or guests, this traditional Southern dish is the perfect choice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This oxtail recipe brings out deep, savory flavors by slow-cooking the meat until it reaches a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The combination of aromatic spices, vegetables, and a rich, thick gravy makes it one of the best Southern comfort meals you can make.
Ingredients
For the Oxtails:
- 3 lbs oxtails
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
For the Gravy:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening)
Instructions
Step 1: Season and Sear the Oxtails
Pat the oxtails dry and season them with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear the oxtails on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to enhance the flavor.
Step 3: Slow Simmer the Oxtails
Return the seared oxtails to the pot and pour in the beef broth, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Add dried thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 3 hours, or until the oxtails are tender.
Step 4: Thicken the Gravy
Once the oxtails are tender, mix the cornstarch with water and stir it into the pot to thicken the sauce. Let it cook for another 10 minutes until the gravy reaches the desired consistency.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the bay leaves and serve the oxtails hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or cornbread for the ultimate Southern meal.
Prep and Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Tips for the Best Southern Oxtail Recipe
- Browning the oxtails before simmering adds a deep, rich flavor.
- Cooking oxtails low and slow ensures they become fork-tender.
- For a more intense taste, let the dish sit for a few hours before serving—it tastes even better the next day.
This is one of the best oxtail recipes easy enough to make at home yet packed with authentic Southern flavors. Give it a try and enjoy a dish that brings warmth and comfort to every bite.
The Most Delicious Southern Oxtails Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs oxtails
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
