Meat main dishes

Oxtail stew

⏱ 20 min🍳 150 min👤 2 pp★★★☆☆

The dish we are cooking today is oxtail stew. It’s a classic of Roman cuisine and of the Lazio region more generally, an authentic and very tasty dish that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. If you haven’t tried it, buy the ingredients immediately and get to work! The preparation is a bit complex in that the cooking time is very long, but the pleasure that this dish will provide more than repays the time spent waiting. It’s basically a stew made with the tail of the animal, cooked long and slow, and served topped with cooked vegetables. Follow our recipe step-by-step and we assure you the result will make a very good impression as lunch or dinner party or even just as a family meal. The dish can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for at least two or three days.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 280 kcal / serving

Protein
15g
Carbohydrates
12g
Fat
18g
Fiber
2g

* approximate values per serving

Information
20 minutes Total time
150 minutes Active time
Serves 2 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Chop the garlic, parsley, celery and onion and slice the carrot. Fry for a few minutes in a saucepan with the lard and butter, then add the pieces of oxtail and sauté for a few minutes. Then add the wine and let it evaporate completely, add salt and pepper and some sugar, then add enough water to cover everything. Cover the pan and cook over a low heat for 2 hours.

Tips
The traditional recipe demands that, before adding the pine nuts, celery and raisins, one removes the sauce and uses as a pasta sauce.
Trivia
From the heart of Rome, in the cattle slaughterers’ district, oxtail stew is considered to be the ‘queen of the fifth quarter’, or what remains of the cow after all the more prized cuts have been sold to the wealthy: thus we’re talking about offal such as the heart, spleen, tail and tripe.

Step by step

Oxtail stew
Oxtail stew
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Oxtail alla Vaccinara with carrots and tomato

One of the most appreciated variations of Oxtail alla Vaccinara is the one that includes carrots and tomato puree, which give the dish a unique sweetness and creaminess. The preparation begins with a sauté of garlic, parsley, onion, celery, and carrots, which are browned in lard and butter, creating a perfect aromatic base for the oxtail. After browning the meat, tomato puree is added, which blends beautifully with the red wine, giving the dish a rich consistency and enveloping flavor. This dish pairs well with a side of mashed potatoes or polenta, which balance the intense flavors of the meat and sauce. Oxtail alla Vaccinara with carrots and tomato is an excellent choice for a family lunch, rich in flavor and tradition.

Oxtail alla Vaccinara Roman style

Oxtail alla Vaccinara is a typical dish of Roman tradition, but its preparation can vary depending on local customs. In the Roman version, the oxtail meat is slowly cooked with fresh and flavorful ingredients, including celery, onion, and tomato. The prolonged cooking allows the flavors to blend perfectly, creating a dense and rich sauce. In Rome, it is also common to add black olives for an extra touch of flavor. This dish is often served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, which further enhances its aromas. Oxtail alla Vaccinara Roman style represents a deep connection to the culinary culture of Lazio, a dish that tells the story and traditions of a city rich in history and passion for cooking.

Light Oxtail alla Vaccinara without lard

For those who wish to enjoy Oxtail alla Vaccinara in a lighter version, it can be prepared without lard, replacing it with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This light variant preserves the flavors of the original dish while reducing the fat content. It always starts with the sauté of onion, garlic, and celery, but oil is used for browning, thus avoiding the use of butter and lard. The slow cooking of the meat and the addition of tomato puree will continue to offer a tasty and satisfying result. This version is perfect for those who want to maintain a balanced diet without giving up the flavors of tradition. Light Oxtail alla Vaccinara is an excellent choice for those looking to eat healthier without compromising on taste.

Benefits of Oxtail alla Vaccinara and nutritional values

Oxtail alla Vaccinara, thanks to the presence of oxtail meat, is a dish rich in protein and essential nutrients, such as iron and B vitamins. Beef is known for its high iron content, important for blood health and the proper functioning of the immune system. Furthermore, slow cooking helps to retain nutrients, making this dish not only flavorful but also nutritious. On average, a portion of Oxtail alla Vaccinara provides about 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of seasonings used. It is a preparation that, when consumed in moderation and balanced with vegetable side dishes, can fit into a healthy and varied diet, offering a good energy supply for daily activities.

How to store Oxtail alla Vaccinara?

One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the storage of Oxtail alla Vaccinara. After preparing it, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it is placed in an airtight container. If you wish to keep it for a longer period, Oxtail alla Vaccinara can be frozen. It is advisable to portion it into suitable containers for freezing, to facilitate thawing and reuse. Before serving it again, it is important to reheat it slowly, perhaps in a pot over low heat, to preserve the texture of the meat and the flavor of the sauce. This way, you can enjoy a dish rich in tradition even days after its preparation.