By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on September 24, 2023 | Last Updated on September 24, 2023
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is a classic Jamaican comfort dish with a flavorful kick. The procedure was discovered by the famous chef and author of “Cooking with Kelli” Kelli Ferrell, who has been hailed as the Queen of Caribbean Cuisine.
This oxtail dish is packed full of flavor – from the savory soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce to the sweet brown sugar, juicy oxtails, and spicy scotch bonnet pepper. It is sure to become a family favorite!
To make Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail dish, you will need to gather all of the ingredients listed in the ingredients section. Once prepared, you can follow our step-by-step instructions and tips to make a delicious oxtail meal.
What is Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail?
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is an iconic Jamaican dish, created by the renowned chef and author Kelli Ferrell. It features oxtails seared in butter beans, scotch bonnet pepper, and allspice, then slow-cooked with beef broth for a savory and flavorful meal.
The combination of all the ingredients makes this dish an irresistible comfort food. The oxtails are cooked until they’re fork-tender and fall off the bone, giving it that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is a great way to enjoy oxtails if you’ve never had them before. It’s also perfect for special occasions or just a Sunday dinner with family.
What does it taste like?
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is a flavor-packed dish with layers of wonderful flavors. The oxtails are seared in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar for a savory, sweet, and tangy flavor.
Ground allspice adds warmth and earthiness to the mix while dried thyme enhances its woodsy taste. The scotch bonnet pepper brings some heat to the dish while butter beans and carrots lend a creamy texture and sweetness.
The addition of chopped onion adds a mild flavor that helps balance out everything else. All these ingredients come together to make Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail a truly unique and delicious meal.
How did I first get introduced to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail?
I first heard about Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail dish when I was watching her popular cooking show, Cooking with Kelli.
I was immediately intrigued by the recipe – oxtails slow-cooked in a savory-sweet marinade and served over mashed potatoes or rice sounded like the perfect comfort food!
Inspired, that evening I gathered all of the ingredients and followed Kelli’s instructions step-by-step. After an hour in the oven, my oxtails were ready.
Upon tasting it for the first time, I was blown away! The marinade imparted a rich and savory flavor into every bite of tender meat while the carrots and butter beans added a delightful sweetness. The scotch bonnet pepper gave it just the right amount of heat for my taste.
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail quickly became one of my favorite dishes since then. Whenever I have friends over, they always ask me where I got this recipe from! It’s definitely a must-try for anyone who loves flavorful and comforting dishes.
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How to make Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail?
Making Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is relatively easy and straightforward. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious meal on the table.
Ingredients
- Ketchup: Ketchup is a thick, sweet, and tangy sauce made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices. It helps to bring out the flavor of oxtail when used in this.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a savory liquid condiment made from fermented soybeans and wheat. Its salty flavor adds depth and umami to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail.
- Beef Broth: Beef broth is a savory liquid made from simmering beef bones in water along with vegetables and spices. It adds flavor and juiciness to the oxtail.
- Browning: Browning is an ingredient used for enhancing the flavor, color, and texture of food. It gives Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail a nice, deep brown color.
- Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that can help prevent cancer and other degenerative diseases. They add sweetness to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail.
- Scotch Bonnet or Habanero Pepper Seeds: Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper seeds are used to give a bit of heat to the oxtail. They also add a little bit of flavor.
- Green Onions: Green onions are mild-flavored onion that adds an extra bit of flavor to the oxtail.
- Butter Beans: Butter beans are a type of large, creamy white bean with a nutty flavor. They provide texture and protein to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a fine powder made from dried garlic cloves. It adds an extra layer of flavor to the oxtail dish.
- Ground Allspice: Ground allspice is made from grinding up the dried berries of the pimento tree. Allspice has a warm, sweet, and peppery flavor that pairs well with Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail.
- Dried Thyme: Dried thyme is a fragrant herb with a woody flavor that adds an earthiness to the oxtail dish.
- Yellow Onion: Yellow onion is a mild-flavored onion that adds sweetness and flavor to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail. It pairs nicely with the other ingredients in the dish.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a thickening agent used to thicken sauces and gravies. It helps give the oxtail sauce a nice, creamy texture.
- Oxtails: Oxtails are a cut of beef from the tail of a cow. They are full of flavor and add juiciness to Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail dish.
- Water: Water is used to thin out the sauce and helps keep everything moist.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix together until all ingredients are combined.
Step 2
Add oxtails to the mixture in the bowl and coat with the marinade. Let the oxtails marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight if desired.
Step 3
In a large pot over medium heat, add vegetable oil and chopped yellow onion. Cook until the onion is lightly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Add garlic powder, ground allspice, and dried thyme to the pot. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 5
Add the marinated oxtails to the pot. Sear each side for 4 minutes or until browned on all sides.
Step 6
Add beef broth, water, butter beans, scotch bonnet pepper, and chopped carrots to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 1-2 hours or until oxtails are tender.
Step 7
Once oxtails are cooked through, remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Tips
- To save time, you can marinate the oxtails in the morning and cook them in the evening.
- If you’d like a spicier dish, add more scotch bonnet pepper.
- For a thicker sauce, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until dissolved. Add this mixture to the pot and stir for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- If the oxtail is too salty or sweet, add a teaspoon of white sugar and stir until dissolved.
- To make it more nutritious, you can add green peas for another layer of flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail?
Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is an outstanding dish that pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. In Jamaica, it is traditionally served over white rice or hot-boiled green bananas are a great way to enjoy this hearty dish.
You can also serve it with crusty bread for dipping in the tasty sauce. If you want something lighter, a fresh green salad is a great side. For a more exotic pairing, try serving Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail with coconut rice or plantains for an added layer of richness and sweetness.
If you’re looking to make this dish extra special, why not serve it with a glass of rum punch or an ice-cold beer? The combination of the rum and spicy oxtail will really take your taste buds to new heights!
How to store leftover Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail?
Leftover Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the oxtails in a shallow pan and heat over low heat until warmed through. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.
When ready to serve, allow the oxtail to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The oxtail can also be reheated in the microwave, but make sure to stir it occasionally so that it doesn’t dry out.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Pregnant women can enjoy Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail in moderation. The dish contains several ingredients that pregnant women should be aware of before indulging.
Firstly, the oxtail is high in saturated fat, a type of fat that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Pregnant women should limit their intake of saturated fat and it is recommended to consume no more than 8g of saturated fat per day.
Secondly, the oxtail contains scotch bonnet or habanero pepper seeds, which can be very spicy and may cause digestive issues. If pregnant women feel any discomfort after consuming this dish, it is best to avoid eating it during pregnancy.
Additionally, pregnant women should not consume more than 200mg of sodium per day and this dish contains around 300mg.
Overall, Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is a delicious and flavorful dish to consume in moderation as part of a healthy diet. If pregnant women decide to indulge, they should be mindful of the ingredients used and limit their intake accordingly.
Kelli Ferrell Oxtail Recipe
Equipment
- bowl
Ingredients
- 6 tsp Tomato Ketchup
- 6 tsp kosher salt
- 6 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 8 tbsp light brown sugar
- 14 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 32 oz Butter Beans canned
- 4 chopped whole carrots
- 8 chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 4 tsp garlic powder
- 6 tsp finely chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tsp allspice ground
- 2 scotch bonnet
- 2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 chopped yellow onion
- 6 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 2 tsp browning
- 2 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 5 lbs oxtails
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients together until everything is evenly mixed.
- Immerse your oxtails in the marinade, making sure they are fully coated. Place the bowl in the fridge and leave it to marinate for at least an hour, or overnight if you have the time.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add chopped onion. Fry until lightly browned and fragrant, about five minutes.
- Add garlic powder, ground allspice, and dried thyme to the pot. Stir for one minute until the spices are fragrant.
- Place the marinated oxtails in the pot and let it sear on each side for four minutes or until lightly browned.
- Pour in beef broth, water, butter beans, scotch bonnet pepper, and chopped carrots. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for one or two hours until the oxtails are tender.
- Once the oxtails are cooked through, remove them from the heat and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- To save time, you can marinate the oxtails in the morning and cook them in the evening.
- If you’d like a spicier dish, add more scotch bonnet pepper.
- For a thicker sauce, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until dissolved. Add this mixture to the pot and stir for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- If the oxtail is too salty or sweet, add a teaspoon of white sugar and stir until dissolved.
- To make it more nutritious, you can add green peas for another layer of flavor and texture.
FAQs
Is Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail dish gluten-free?
Yes, Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail is a gluten-free dish. The only ingredients in the dish that may contain gluten are Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, so make sure to check the labels before using them.
Do I need to use an oxtail for this recipe?
No, you can substitute other cuts of beef such as short ribs or chuck roast if desired. However, oxtails give the dish a unique and full flavor that can’t be replicated with other cuts of meat.
What can I do to make it more spicy?
If you want to make Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail spicier, you can add additional scotch bonnet pepper or some hot sauce. You could also use other types of peppers such as jalapenos or habaneros for a different flavor profile.
Can I make this in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can make Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail in the slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the oxtails are tender. You may need to adjust the liquid levels slightly if using a slow cooker.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for trying out Kelli Ferrell’s Oxtail! This flavorful and hearty dish is sure to please a crowd, and it’s easy enough for even the novice cook.
Please share this article with any friends and family who might enjoy this classic Jamaican dish. You can also share your experience with us in the comment section.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
