My Go-To Oxtail Stew with Pickled Veggies & Rice

How I Make Fall-Off-the-Bone Rabo Guisado at Home (2 ways)

If there’s one meal I never get tired of, it’s a good plate of rabo guisado with white rice. With the price of oxtail now, this meal is kind of a rare treat, but it’s still one of those classic comfort dishes that’s rich, flavorful, and honestly feels like home on a plate. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of eating this meal, then you’ll know these oxtails are fall-off-the-bone tender.

This version is a Dominican variation, but many Latin & Caribbean countries have their own style of making this dish. And as much as I love the traditional 3-hour-long stovetop braise, I’m also going to show you how to make this using a pressure cooker to speed things up.

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Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Marinating Time: At least 3 hours (overnight preferred)

• Stove-Top Stew Cook Time: 1½ to 2 hours

• Pressure Cooker Cook Time: 1 hour

• Total Time: About 2½ to 3 hours (plus marinating)

• Serving Size: This recipe makes enough for about 6 servings.

Ingredients

Oxtail & Marinade:

• 4 lbs of oxtails

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• 4 tbsp sofrito

• 1 tbsp Dominican oregano

• 2 tbsp sazon

• 1 tbsp adobo

• 1 tbsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce

• Juice of 1 lime

• Salt to taste

For the Stew:

• 2 tbsp neutral oil (I use grapeseed)

• 1 tbsp sugar (for browning)

• 2½ to 3 cups water (enough to cover the oxtails)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (for color)

Pickled Veggies:

• ½ red bell pepper, sliced

• ½ cubanelle pepper, sliced

• ½ red onion, sliced

• 2 tbsp white vinegar

To Finish:

• Chopped cilantro for garnish

Optional Sides:

• White rice

• Tostones

• Sliced avocado

Equipment I Used

Here’s what I used to make this recipe! If you’re building your kitchen basics, these are worth having on hand:

• Large Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Perfect for slow braising and building flavor. You want something sturdy that holds heat evenly

• Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: Cuts the cook time way down without sacrificing flavor. Ideal if you want tender, fall-off-the-bone oxtail faster. [Affiliate link]

• Sharp Chef’s Knife: For prepping the peppers, onions, and herbs. Makes life easier.