Asian Oxtail Recipe | Slow-Cooked Oxtail with Soy Sauce & Spices
I still remember the first time I cooked oxtail in an Asian-style recipe. It was a cold evening, and I wanted to make something warm, tasty, and rich. I had oxtail meat in the freezer and a few Chinese spices in my kitchen. I followed a simple cooking method and hoped for the best. But luckily, at the end of the day, it turns out so delicious and flavorful.
Since then, this oxtail dish has become one of my favorite recipes. I do not cook it often because it takes time, and oxtail meat is a little expensive. But I mostly make it for guests or special family dinners, and we all enjoy every part of it. The cooking process fills the kitchen with an amazing smell that really feels yummy and mouthwatering. The end result is soft, juicy meat covered in a sticky, rich sauce that goes perfectly with plain rice.Let me share how do I make oxtail soup and why it always makes people smile when they eat it.
Why I Enjoy Making This Recipe
Oxtail meat is not soft that can cooked quickly it takes time because of its hard and tough parts of bones. That’s why the best way to cook it, keep it on slow flame. This means you need to cook it in liquid syrup on low flame for a few hours. The meat will turnout so flavorful, juicy, and soft.

There are many oxtail recipes from different people of the world. Some people make oxtail soup, while others make stews with vegetables. I like this Asian version because it is not watery like soup. It has a thick sauce that sticks to the meat. The sauce is made from soy sauce, Chinese wine, ginger, garlic, and a few spices. These ingredients mix together and give the meat a deep taste.
In the past, oxtail meat was cheap because people did not know how tasty it could be. But now, more people have discovered it, and the price has gone up. I only make this dish on special days like family dinners, weekends, or holidays.
What You Need To Cook This (Ingredients)
Here are the ingredients I use when I make this dish. These are easy to find in most stores, or you might already have some in your kitchen. Let’s discuss the list of ingredients of Asian oxtail recipe:
- · Three pounds of oxtail cut into thick pieces
- · One spoon of cooking oil
- · Two thick slices of fresh ginger
- · Six garlic cloves
- · Three to four pieces of star anise
- · Six cloves (the spice, not garlic)
- · Three bay leaves
- · Half a cup of Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
- · Two spoons of dark soy sauce
- · Three spoons of light soy sauce
- · One spoon of rock sugar or white sugar
- · One and a half cups of water
- · Salt as needed (not too much because soy sauce is salty)
You can change the amount of ingredients a little depending on your taste. But try not to skip the main spices like star anise and ginger. They give the dish its real flavor.
How I Cook This Recipe Step by Step
1). Cleaning and Browning the Meat: First, I wash the oxtail pieces in cold water and dry them with a paper towel. Then I heat some oil in a big pan on medium heat. I put the oxtail in and brown all sides. This part is very important because it makes the meat taste better later. After they are brown, I take them out and keep them on a plate.
2). Adding Spices to the Pot: In the same pot, I add the ginger slices, garlic cloves, star anise, cloves, and bay leaves. I stir them for two minutes until they start to smell nice. This helps to give all their flavor a good smell.
3). Pouring in the Sauces and Water: Next, I add the cooking wine, both types of soy sauce, sugar, and water. I also add a little salt but not too much. The soy sauce already has salt in it. The sauce becomes dark and smells sweet and salty at the same time.
4). Cooking the Oxtail Slowly: I put the oxtail pieces back into the pot and turn the heat up until the liquid starts to boil. Once it boils, I lower the heat to a very low flame and cover the pot. Then I let it cook slowly for about two and a half to three hours. I check the pot after every five minutes and then and give it a little stir. If the water gets too low, I add more so it does not burn.
5). Making the Sauce Thick: When the meat is almost soft, I take off the lid and keep cooking for another thirty minutes. This helps the sauce become thick and stick to the meat. I stir gently so the bottom of the pot does not burn.
6). Time to Serve: When the oxtail is done, I turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Then I serve it hot with plain rice. The meat is soft, juicy, and covered in a dark shiny sauce. The rice soaks up the flavor and makes the whole meal perfect.Everyone at home loves this dish. Even kids enjoy the soft meat and sweet taste. The leftovers also taste great the next day. In fact, I think it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
What Makes This Dish Special to Me
There are a few things that make this oxtail dish really special. First, it is the sauce. It is not like soup or gravy. The sauce becomes thick and glossy after slow cooking. It covers the meat like a shiny layer and adds so much flavor.
Second, the smell while cooking is amazing. Ginger, garlic, and star anise give this dish a warm and sweet smell. When I am making this dish, someone always comes into the kitchen and asks what I am cooking.
Third, the taste is very rich. It is salty, sweet, and full of spice. It is not hot like chili but has a strong, juicy flavor that goes really well with plain white rice. Every bite is soft, juicy, and full of taste.
How Soft Should Oxtail Be
This part depends on what you like. Some people like the meat to be very soft like falling off the bone. Other people like a little bit of chewiness in the bones. I like my oxtail with a soft bite but not too mushy. I think the flavor stays better when the meat is not falling apart.
If you want your oxtail with some texture, cook it for about two and a half hours. If you like more soft, cook it for three to three and a half hours. You can even cook longer if you want. Just check often and add more water if the pot starts to dry. Cook it until you make it your desired thick consistency but it knowns as Asian oxtail recipe, slow cooker making dish.
A Few Tips I Learned
- · Be patient. This dish takes time to cook, but the results are worth it.
- · Use good quality soy sauce. It adds better taste and color.
- · Always brown the meat first. It makes a big difference in flavor.
- · Add water little by little if needed. Do not let the pot get dry.
- · Reheat slowly. If you have leftovers, warm them on low heat with a little water.

Traditional Asian Oxtail Dish Importance
For me, this dish is more than just food. It reminds me of family, love, and the joy of sharing a good meal together. When I cook this oxtail recipe, I feel proud. It takes time and a correct method, but it always brings smiles to the table.
The flavors are yummy and spicy. The sauce is thick and rich. And the meat is cooked just right. It is perfect for cold weather or special gatherings. You do not need fancy equipment’s or skills. Just follow the steps slowly, and you will end up with something amazing.
If you have never cooked oxtail before, do not be afraid. This recipe is simple, and the results are delicious. Take your time, enjoy the cooking, and share the meal with someone you care about. You will be glad you tried it.
Wrapping Up
Asian Oxtail recipe is always the winning dish and gives the same test as I tried the first time. If you are looking something special to impress your guest or friends then you need to spend money on Oxtail meat for if flavorful food. This method takes time but will definitely impress your guest even after taking one bite. Try this at least once, you will be fan of Oxtail recipe just like me and my family.
FAQs
Can we eat Oxtail with leftover rice?
Yes you can definitely taste it with plain leftover rice, and you will love it.
Is it compulsory to use soya sauce in Asian Oxtail recipe?
Yes you can’t make its thick curry without adding soya sauce.
Is it sweet and spicy at the same time?
Yes, due to adding sugar and soya sauce with spices it taste both but phenomenal with the rice.
Is Oxtail halal?
Yes, according to the Muslim point of view, its halal.
Asian Oxtail Recipe | Slow-Cooked Oxtail with Soy Sauce & Spices
Course: DinnerCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Medium4–6 people
servings15
minutes3
hours~420 kcal per serving
kcalSlow-cooked Asian Oxtail Recipe with soy sauce, garlic, ginger & spices. Juicy, tender meat in a rich, glossy sauce served with rice.
Ingredients
Three pounds of oxtail cut into thick pieces
· One spoon of cooking oil
· Two thick slices of fresh ginger
· Six garlic cloves
· Three to four pieces of star anise
· Six cloves (the spice, not garlic)
· Three bay leaves
· Half a cup of Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
· Two spoons of dark soy sauce
· Three spoons of light soy sauce
· One spoon of rock sugar or white sugar
· One and a half cups of water
· Salt as needed (not too much because soy sauce is alty)
How I Cook This Recipe Step by Step
- Cleaning and Browning the Meat: First, I wash the oxtail pieces in cold water and dry them with a paper towel. Then I heat some oil in a big pan on medium heat. I put the oxtail in and brown all sides. This part is very important because it makes the meat taste better later. After they are brown, I take them out and keep them on a plate.
- Adding Spices to the Pot: In the same pot, I add the ginger slices, garlic cloves, star anise, cloves, and bay leaves. I stir them for two minutes until they start to smell nice. This helps to give all their flavor a good smell.
- Pouring in the Sauces and Water: Next, I add the cooking wine, both types of soy sauce, sugar, and water. I also add a little salt but not too much. The soy sauce already has salt in it. The sauce becomes dark and smells sweet and salty at the same time.
- Cooking the Oxtail Slowly: I put the oxtail pieces back into the pot and turn the heat up until the liquid starts to boil. Once it boils, I lower the heat to a very low flame and cover the pot. Then I let it cook slowly for about two and a half to three hours. I check the pot after every five minutes and then and give it a little stir. If the water gets too low, I add more so it does not burn.
- Making the Sauce Thick: When the meat is almost soft, I take off the lid and keep cooking for another thirty minutes. This helps the sauce become thick and stick to the meat. I stir gently so the bottom of the pot does not burn.
- Time to Serve: When the oxtail is done, I turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Then I serve it hot with plain rice. The meat is soft, juicy, and covered in a dark shiny sauce. The rice soaks up the flavor and makes the whole meal perfect.Everyone at home loves this dish. Even kids enjoy the soft meat and sweet taste. The leftovers also taste great the next day. In fact, I think it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
Notes
- Browning the meat adds depth of flavor.
- Use good quality soy sauce for better taste & color.
- Add water in small amounts to avoid drying out.
- Tastes even better the next day.