Recipes

French Braised Oxtail (Queue de Bœuf Braisée)

Beef · Dinner · French · Offal · Stew

French Braised Oxtail (Queue de Bœuf Braisée)
Prep 20 min
Cook 20 minutes
Serves Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 kg oxtail, cut into segments
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp (15ml) Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, peeled and sliced in half rounds
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut roughly
  • 1 leek, white parts only, thinly sliced.
  • 2 tbsp (15g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 4 cups (1L) red wine
  • 1 cup (250ml) beef stock
  • 4 bay leaves
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

  1. The day before, season the oxtails generously with 1 tsp of salt. Make sure you salt all sides and get into all crannies. Place oxtails back into the fridge overnight.
  2. Take the oxtails out of the fridge 30min-1hr before you start cooking, to allow them to warm slightly.
  3. Pre-heat your oven to 325°F (163°C) with a rack in the middle.
  4. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a large skillet or frying pan with olive oil. Add the oxtail and sear for 6-7 minutes per side. Make sure you sear all sides until browned. Transfer pieces onto a plate and cover with foil. Do not clean the skillet of fat drippings.
  5. Add the onions, garlic, carrot, leeks and a sprinkle of salt into the same skillet and sauté for 10 minutes, until the mix becomes fragrant and the onions and leeks are very lightly caramelized. Add the flour, a crack of black pepper and stir until the veggies are evenly coated. Add the wine, beef stock and bay leaf. Stir and nestle the oxtails back into the skillet.
  6. Cover with a lid, bring to a simmer and transfer skillet into the pre-heated oven. Cook for 2.5 - 3 hours and test the meat’s doneness by inserting a pointy knife in it: it should fall off the bone. If it doesn’t feel tender enough, continue cooking for 15 to 30 more minutes.
  7. Serve over polenta, rice, or pasta