Oxtail Pizza

Oxtail pizza is a mouthwatering fusion of Jamaican and Italian cuisine; tender, juicy oxtail meat over gooey mozzarella cheese on a homemade crust. Serve this during your next pizza night and see how quickly the slices disappear!

For more homemade pizza recipes, try Homemade Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza, Summer Peach and Prosciutto Pizza with Balsamic Glaze Drizzle and Prosciutto, Arugula, and Herbed Tomato Pizza next. If you’re looking for more oxtail recipes try my Jamaican Oxtail Recipe and Oxtail Patty recipes!

What Is Oxtail Pizza?

You may have heard of my Oxtail Patties but have you ever tried Oxtail Pizza? Two cultures collide for a delicious collaboration with this oxtail pizza recipe. Oxtail pizza is a growing trend on TikTok and Instagram and it’s emerged as a specialty pizza across the United States in restaurants.

Oxtails are a staple in Jamaican cuisine and this recipe pulls directly from my Authentic Jamaican Oxtail Recipe. Everyone loves pizza so add the rich, savoury flavour of Jamaican oxtails as a topping and you have an irresistible match!

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Oxtail Pizza Recipe

• Versatile – make oxtail pizza from scratch or use the helpful shortcuts detailed below to save time.
• Delicious Fusion Food – I love personalizing homemade pizzas but this is the first time I’ve ever added a Jamaican twist. Swap the marinara sauce for oxtail gravy and make a tasty pizza with Caribbean flair!
• Accessible – if you’ve been drooling over your phone because you’re nowhere near one of the pizza shops selling this pizza, put the phone down and get in the kitchen! You can make your own oxtail pizza following the simple instructions outlined below.

What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)

• Pizza Cutter or Knife – for slicing the pizza after it’s baked.
• Pizza Stone or Steel Pan – for baking the pizza.

What Meat is Oxtail?

Despite its name, oxtail is not from the tail of an ox. It is actually the tail of the cow, which would make the meat beef.

Why is Oxtail so Popular?

Oxtail is a flavourful and gelatinous meat that is often used in soups, stews, and braised dishes due to its rich and hearty taste. It is prized for its tender meat and the rich, collagen-rich broth it produces when cooked slowly.

Oxtail is a staple in many cuisines around the world including the United Kingdom, Vietnam and of course, Jamaica, so this adds to its worldwide appeal. So what used to be regarded as cheap scrap or throw-away meat has emerged as a delicacy.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

Homemade Pizza Dough or Use Storebought

• All Purpose Flour – this is the best flour for homemade pizza dough. Sift to remove any lumps.
• Salt – salt regulates the yeast and tightens the gluten structure so the dough is less likely to fall apart.
• Active Dry Yeast or instant dry yeast – both are easy for beginners to use. Yeast ensures the pizza dough properly rises.
• Granulated White Sugar – this may be an unexpected ingredient but it tenderizes the dough so it’s soft.
• Warm Water – ensure the temperature is within the range of 105° and 115°F.
• Olive Oil – the oil ensures a golden brown crust once the pizza is baked,

Other Ingredients

• Oxtail Meat and Gravy – for the recipe we are swapping traditional pepperoni with oxtail for a tasty Jamaican island twist. Ensure you have about 1 cup of oxtail gravy to base the pizza.
• Mozzarella Cheese – what’s a pizza without cheese. Add as much or as little as you like.
• Red Onion – finely diced.
• Fresh Herbs – parsley or cilantro for garnish, optional
• Italian Seasoning – use this to add extra flavour on the pizza crust.
• Olive Oil – brush this on the crust of the pizza before adding the Italian seasoning.

How to Make Oxtail Pizza

How to Make Pizza Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add sifted flour, salt, and yeast. Whisk together until well combined on low speed. Proof your yeast prior to ensure it is alive if unsure. Then remove whisk attachment, and add the dough hook.
2. Place dough ball on a clean and lightly floured surface, knead until a smooth dough ball forms, which bounces back quickly when poked. Then, place dough in a large mixing bowl, and drizzle with approx. 1 tbsp olive oil, ensuring surface is fully covered. Cover with a dish towel or shower cap, placing it in a warm area for an hour or until dough has doubled in size.
3. While the dough proofs, prepare the toppings. After an hour, or when dough has doubled in size, remove from bowl and stretch to desired size.

Assemble & Bake Oxtail Pizza

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Add a layer of oxtail gravy on the prepared pizza crust, then add mozzarella cheese, shredded oxtail and red onions. Brush the crust of the pizza with olive oil, then sprinkle italian seasoning (optional).
2. Place in oven and bake for 20 – 30 minutes or until edges are lightly golden, middle baked through and cheese melted. Remove from oven, slice, serve and enjoy!

Recipe Substitutions and Tips

• Oxtail – there are a variety of methods to prepare oxtail, I recommend stovetop method. Alternatively, order oxtails from your favourite Jamaican restaurant and debone them or use leftover oxtails.
• Pizza dough – although I love the taste of freshly baked pizza dough, you can buy premade dough at the grocery store.
• Garnish – swap the cilantro for parsley or your referred fresh herb.
• Cheese – mozzarella cheese is a classic choice but you can add ricotta or gruyere cheese for an extra indulgent pizza.

Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Oxtail Pizza

• Proof the yeast before making your pizza dough. Ensure the yeast is active by combining 1 teaspoon of sugar and 2¼ teaspoons of yeast with ¼ cup of warm water. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes. If the mixture starts to bubble and emits a pleasant yeasty scent, the yeast is good to use.
• Brown the oxtail before slow cooking. This caramelizes the exterior, adding extra flavour and colour.
• Save time by preparing oxtail in the instant pot instead of the slow cooker. This cuts down the cooking time significantly, from 4 hours to about 1½.

Can I Make Oxtail Pizza Ahead of Time?

Save cooking time by preparing the dough and oxtails the day before. Store dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Prepare the oxtail, allow it to cool, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Storage Instructions

Wrap leftover oxtail pizza in aluminum foil and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat pizza in the oven or air fryer at 380°F (193°C) until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Interested in more Delicious Recipes? Check These Out!

• Jamaican Oxtail Recipe
• Oxtail Patty
• The Most Authentic Jamaican Oxtail Recipe
• Summer Peach and Prosciutto Pizza with Balsamic Glaze Drizzle
• Homemade Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Quick & Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
• Jamaican Rice and Peas
• Jamaican Fried Dumpling
• Jamaican Curry Shrimp (Seafood)
• Vegan Jamaican Bulgur Wheat & Peas (Rice & Peas Remix)

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