“Indulge in the rich, flavorful delight of Oxtail Ragu – a tantalizing Italian dish that combines tender oxtail meat slow-cooked in a savory tomato-based sauce. Discover the perfect balance of robust flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture, creating a culinary experience that will leave you craving for more.”
Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu
The Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu is a rich and flavorful sauce that is perfect for serving over pasta, gnocchi, or polenta. Made with tender oxtail meat, this dish is a delicious and comforting meal that can be made in a fraction of the time using the Instant Pot. Oxtail is a cut of beef that comes from the tail of the cow and is known for its gelatinous texture when cooked. It is often used to make bone broth due to its high collagen content. In this recipe, the oxtail is browned before being cooked in a mixture of onions, celery, carrots, garlic, herbs, beef stock, red wine, and tomato puree. The result is tender meat and an intensely flavorful sauce.
To make the Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu, start by seasoning and browning the oxtail pieces in olive oil using the saute mode on the Instant Pot. Remove them from the pot and saute onions, celery, and carrots until softened. Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, beef stock, red wine, and tomato puree to deglaze the pot. Return the oxtail to the pot and pressure cook for 45 minutes. Once cooked, allow for natural release of pressure before removing the oxtail from the pot. Shred the meat away from the bones and discard any connective tissue or excess fat. Return the shredded meat back to the pot with the sauce and stir well. If desired, cook down until thickened using saute mode.
The Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu can be served over your choice of pasta or other accompaniments such as polenta or gnocchi. It can also be enjoyed on its own or with sides like mashed potatoes or green beans. This dish is a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the tender and flavorful oxtail meat in a rich and delicious sauce made with the help of the Instant Pot.
Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. It saves you hours of cooking time compared to traditional methods. The Instant Pot also allows you to cook meals from frozen, making it perfect for those days when you forget to defrost something for dinner. Plus, there are many accessories available that will help you get even more out of your Instant Pot.
Oxtail is a flavorful and gelatinous cut of meat that comes from the tail of a cow. When cooked, the meat becomes tender and melt-in-your-mouth good due to the marrow surrounding the bone. Oxtail is often used to make bone broth because it’s full of healthy collagen. It can be used in soups, stews, or braised on its own. In this recipe, oxtail is used to make a thick and meaty ragu that pairs perfectly with pasta, gnocchi, or polenta.
To make oxtail ragu in an Instant Pot, start by browning the oxtail pieces on all sides to add intense flavor to the meat. Then sauté onions, celery, carrot, garlic, thyme, and rosemary before adding beef stock, red wine, and tomato puree. Lock the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook for 45 minutes. After a natural release of pressure, remove excess fat or grease from the cooking liquid and shred the meat away from the bones. Return the meat back to the pot with the sauce and cook down if needed for a thicker consistency. Serve the ragu over your choice of pasta or other side dishes.
What is Oxtail?
Oxtail is the tail of a cow that is cut into sections between the tailbones. Each piece of oxtail contains meat and marrow surrounding the bone. When cooked, the meat becomes gelatinous and tender, making it melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Oxtail is often used to make bone broth due to its high collagen content. It can also be used in soups, stews, or braised and served on its own.
How to Make Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu
Making Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu is a simple and convenient process. Begin by washing and patting dry the oxtail pieces. Season them with salt and pepper, then add olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn on saute mode. Once hot, brown the oxtail on all sides and remove from the pot. Next, add onion, celery, and carrot to the pot and saute for 3 minutes before turning off saute mode.
Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, beef stock, red wine, and tomato puree to the pot. Whisk to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return the oxtail to the pot and lock the Instant Pot lid. Set it to pressure cook for 45 minutes.
After cooking is complete, allow a natural release of pressure for about 15 minutes. While waiting for the pressure release, cook your desired pasta separately so that it’s ready when the meat is done. Remove the oxtail from the Instant Pot and discard any excess fat or grease from the cooking liquid.
Shred the meat away from the bones and discard any bones or connective tissue. Return the shredded meat back to the Instant Pot with the sauce and stir everything together. If needed, turn on saute mode again to cook down until thickened. Serve over pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is oxtail and why should I choose it over a different cut of beef?
A: Oxtail is the tail of the cow, which is cut into sections between the tailbones. Each piece has meat and marrow surrounding the bone, making it gelatinous when cooked and incredibly tender. Oxtail is often used to make bone broth because it’s full of healthy collagen. It can be used in soups, stews, or braised on its own.
Q: Can I use frozen oxtail in the Instant Pot?
A: Yes, you can cook frozen oxtail in the Instant Pot. Simply add the oxtail after sautéing the vegetables and adding the liquids. Set the cook time to 50 minutes. However, cooking from frozen means you won’t be able to brown the oxtail beforehand, which adds a lot of flavor.
Q: How else can I serve oxtail besides making a ragu?
A: Oxtail can be served on its own with a side of mashed potatoes or green beans. It also pairs well with polenta, gnocchi, fried cabbage, rice, or any type of pasta you have on hand.
What is oxtail?
Oxtail is the tail of a cow, which is cut into sections between the tailbones. Each piece of oxtail contains meat and marrow surrounding the bone. When cooked, the meat becomes gelatinous due to the marrow, making it incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Oxtail is often used to make bone broth because it is rich in healthy collagen. It is commonly used in soups, stews, and braised dishes. In this recipe, oxtail is used to make a flavorful ragu that can be served over pasta.
Do I have to brown the oxtail first?
Browning the oxtail before cooking is highly recommended as it adds intense flavor to the meat. The Maillard reaction, which occurs during browning, creates a concentration of flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. While you can still make a great oxtail dish without browning, it will be much more flavorful if you take the extra step.
Yes, you can use frozen oxtail in the Instant Pot. Simply skip the browning step and add the frozen oxtail after sautéing the vegetables and adding the liquids. Set the cook time to 50 minutes. However, keep in mind that cooking from frozen will result in a loss of flavor compared to browning the oxtail beforehand.
Oxtail is versatile and can be served in various ways. It can be enjoyed on its own, served with a side of mashed potatoes or green beans for a hearty meal. Another popular option is to make a ragu like this recipe suggests, which can be served over pasta, polenta, gnocchi, or even fried cabbage or rice. Feel free to get creative with how you use cooked oxtail!
Do I have to thaw the oxtail first?
No, you don’t have to thaw the oxtail before cooking it in the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is capable of cooking frozen meat in just a few more minutes than if it was thawed. However, keep in mind that if you cook the oxtail from frozen, you won’t be able to brown it before cooking, which means you may lose out on some flavor. If time allows, it’s best to thaw the oxtail and brown it before adding it to the Instant Pot for maximum flavor.
What Else Can I Serve Oxtail With?
Oxtail ragu is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. One popular option is to serve it over pasta, such as pappardelle, which allows the rich and meaty sauce to cling to the noodles. The oxtail ragu can also be served over gnocchi or polenta for a comforting and hearty meal.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can serve the oxtail ragu with steamed or sautéed vegetables, such as green beans or broccoli. The tender and flavorful meat pairs well with the freshness of the vegetables.
For a more traditional approach, you can serve the oxtail ragu with mashed potatoes or smashed potatoes. The creamy texture of the potatoes complements the richness of the sauce.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try serving the oxtail ragu with fried cabbage or rice. These unique pairings add different flavors and textures to the dish.
Ultimately, the choice of accompaniment depends on your personal preferences and what you have on hand. The oxtail ragu is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations.
Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu with Pasta
This Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu is a rich and hearty sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta, gnocchi, or polenta. Made with succulent oxtail that has been cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot, this dish is both flavorful and easy to make. The oxtail is cut into sections between the tailbones, each piece containing tender meat and flavorful marrow surrounding the bone. When cooked, the meat becomes gelatinous and melts in your mouth.
To start, season the oxtail pieces with salt and pepper before browning them on all sides in the Instant Pot. Remove the browned oxtail from the pot and sauté onions, celery, and carrots until softened. Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, beef stock, red wine, and tomato puree to the pot, stirring well to combine. Return the oxtail to the pot and pressure cook for 45 minutes. Once cooked, allow for a natural release of pressure before removing the oxtail from the pot.
Shred the meat away from the bones and discard any connective tissue. Return the shredded meat back to the Instant Pot with the sauce and stir until combined. If desired, thicken the sauce by using sauté mode again. Serve this delicious oxtail ragu over your choice of pasta or sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Ingredients
– Oxtail pieces
– Salt and pepper
– Olive oil
– Onion
– Celery
– Carrot
– Garlic
– Thyme and rosemary
– Beef stock
– Red wine
– Tomato puree
– Pasta (of your choice)
– Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Wash and pat dry the oxtail pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn on saute mode. When hot, add the oxtail and brown on all sides. Remove from the pot.
3. Add the onion, celery, and carrot to the Instant Pot. Saute for 3 minutes. Turn off saute mode.
4. Add the garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the Instant Pot. After 1 minute, pour in the beef stock and red wine and whisk to remove the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
5. Add the tomato puree and stir well. Add back in the oxtail.
6. Lock the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to sealing. Set to pressure cook for 45 minutes.
7. When finished, allow a natural release of pressure (about 15 minutes).
8. During the natural pressure release time, cook pasta according to package instructions.
9. Remove the oxtail from the Instant Pot. Remove any excess fat or grease from the cooking liquid by scooping it off with a spoon.
10. Shred the meat away from the bones and discard bones and connective tissue.
11. Return shredded meat back to the Instant Pot with sauce. Stir it all together.
12. If desired, turn on saute mode again and cook down until sauce thickens.
13. Serve ragu over cooked pasta and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Note: The recipe suggests using pappardelle pasta, but any type of pasta can be used.
Equipment Needed
To make this Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu, you will need the following equipment:
- Instant Pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon for skimming fat
Nutrition
This Instant Pot Oxtail Ragu is a delicious and hearty dish that’s perfect for pasta, gnocchi, or polenta. It’s packed with flavor and made with tender oxtail meat. Oxtail is known for its gelatinous texture when cooked, which makes it incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s also rich in collagen, making it a great choice for bone broth.
This recipe calls for browning the oxtail on all sides before cooking in the Instant Pot, which adds intense flavor to the meat. The Instant Pot cuts down on cooking time significantly, resulting in tender meat and a flavorful sauce in just 45 minutes of pressure cooking.
Once cooked, the oxtail meat is shredded and added back to the Instant Pot with the sauce. If desired, you can thicken the sauce further by using saute mode again. Serve this delicious ragu over your favorite pasta and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a satisfying meal.
In conclusion, oxtail ragu is a delicious and flavorful dish that is worth trying. Its slow-cooked tender meat, rich tomato sauce, and aromatic herbs create a satisfying and comforting meal. Whether served over pasta or accompanied by crusty bread, this hearty dish is sure to impress both family and guests alike.
Learn More About Grilling
If you want to learn more about grilling, check out these other helpful resources!
