Oxtail Ragu

Richly browned oxtail sections are simmered low and slow in a rich tomato sauce until the meat comes off the bones-- this oxtail ragu is almost foolproof. The only way to screw up this incredibly succulent cut of beef is to not cook it long enough.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 607 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh oregano
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 3 ½ pounds beef oxtail, cut into 2-inch sections
• 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 4 cups tomato sauce or puree, or more if desired
• 2 cups chicken broth, or enough to cover the oxtails
• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking pan large enough to hold the oxtails in a single layer.

Step 2

Place chopped onions and garlic in prepared pan. Rub oxtail sections with olive oil; season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange on top of onions. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn oxtails and continue roasting until well browned, another 20 to 35 minutes. Remove pan from oven.

Step 3

Pour in wine vinegar, tomato sauce, chicken stock or water, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, and red chili flakes to the baking pan; stir. Pour the entire mixture into a large pot. Place over medium-high heat until sauce begins to simmer. Cover; reduce heat, and simmer over low heat until meat easily separates from the bone and is very tender, about 4 to 5 hours. Skim off fat before serving.