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Oxtail Quesadillas

Tender, slow-braised oxtail shredded and combined with sautéed peppers and onions, then folded into a buttery, crispy tortilla with melted cheese.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Fusion, Jamaican, Mexican
Keyword oxtail, oxtail quesadilla
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Oxtail

  • 2 –3 lbs oxtail
  • 1 tbsp Maggi all-purpose seasoning
  • ½ tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • ½ tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp Italian herb seasoning
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ~20 pimento seeds crushed
  • 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ tbsp Pickapeppa sauce
  • 1 tsp browning
  • 1 tsp scotch bonnet pepper sauce

Ground Seasoning

  • ¼ onion chopped
  • 2 stalks scallion chopped
  • Fresh thyme a few sprigs
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Quesadilla

  • 1 –2 bell peppers sliced
  • 1 onion sliced
  • Olive oil
  • Tortillas
  • Shredded cheese Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or blend
  • Unsalted Butter

Instructions

Prepare The Oxtail

  • Trim excess fat from oxtail.
  • Wash with lime, vinegar, and water. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Season the Oxtail
  • Add all dry seasonings and liquid seasonings to oxtail.
  • Mix thoroughly until fully coated.
  • Brown the Oxtail
  • Heat oil in a deep pot over high heat.
  • Brown oxtail on all sides.
  • Build the Braise
  • Add hot water to leftover marinade in bowl, mix, and pour into pot.
  • Add onion, scallion, thyme, and garlic.
  • Slow Cook
  • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2½–3 hours.
  • Add hot water as needed and adjust seasoning midway.
  • Cook until oxtail is tender.
  • Shred the Oxtail
  • Remove bones and shred meat.

Make The Filling

  • Sauté peppers and onions in olive oil for 3–5 minutes.
  • Add shredded oxtail and mix.

Assemble Quesadillas

  • Place tortilla in pan over low-medium heat.
  • Brush with butter.
  • Add oxtail mixture to one side.
  • Top with cheese and fold.
  • Cook
  • Cook until golden and cheese melts.
  • Flip, butter other side, and cook until crispy.

Notes

  • Cooking time may vary depending on tenderness
  • Add water gradually to maintain sauce
  • For extra flavor, reduce leftover braising liquid into a sauce