Have you ever tried eating an oxtail? If not, you might be thinking what it is? And a lot of people who already love eating an oxtail might have a question that, Is oxtail healthy?
Well, if you do not know about what it is, then you must know this is the most healthy, tasty, delicious, and nutritious cut of cow meat. It is the meat of the tail of cattle. It contains a lot of proteins and fats which means it is very soft and flavorful when we cook it.
Oxtail is popular in a variety of cuisines, especially African and American cuisines. Nowadays, it is becoming more expensive as people are getting to know its health benefits. People cook it in the form of soup and broth and many other delicious recipes.
Table of Content
Is Oxtail Healthy?
If we talk about how healthy is oxtail, it is very obvious that the oxtail contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, and especially proteins. Oxtail is a good source of proteins and iron with one serving of oxtail providing 30.8 grams of proteins and 3.6 grams of iron. People living in southern parts of Africa like Zimbabwe serve oxtail with green vegetables to enhance its health benefits.
When oxtail is cooked in the form of broth, it becomes more nutritious and healthy. It contains collagen that makes up 30 percent of proteins in our body. Oxtail contains collagen in the form of gelatin that is very important for healthy hair, nails, and skin.
The main healthy component of an oxtail that makes it super healthy and nutritious is protein. Oxtail contains many amino acids that are the building block of protein that plays a role in maintaining the health of muscles.
It contains three basic proteins.
- Proline, that forms connective tissues and reduces the fat particles in your blood vessels.
- Glycine supports DNA and RNA synthesis.
- Arginine delivers nutrients to different parts of the body.
In addition to it, oxtail is rich in iron, without which a person becomes anemic. Iron is very important for RBCs manufacturing. Another important mineral is Magnesium that is present in the bone marrow. Bone marrow lowers the bad cholesterol LDL in our body and helps improve the immune system.
Is Oxtail Red Meat?
A lot of people are concerned about whether an oxtail is considered red meat or not and Is oxtail good to eat? Yes, oxtail is also a part of beef that is red meat but it is more healthy as compared to red meat since it contains bones and bone marrow that are rich in collagen and calcium and high in proteins. So, if your question is, Is oxtail healthier than beef? The answer is yes, it is. It is Healthier than beef in terms of nutrition.
Is Oxtail Soup Good for You?
Is oxtail soup healthy? Yes, this is good news for soup lovers because they can enjoy a healthy and nutritious soup made from oxtail. When in soup, the oxtail releases all its nutrition and if you cook the soup along with a lot of vegetables, it becomes even more healthy.
The texture of oxtail in soup is so different from any other part of cow meat. When in soup, the meat from the bones just falls right off, the fat distributes right in the broth and it just gives it a super-rich flavor, and the real thing about this dish is while it seems like that it is really simple to cook, so you can easily enjoy the health benefits of oxtail soups.
Is Oxtail Fat Good for You?
People, who want to lose weight and also like to enjoy oxtail soup are concerned that, Is oxtail fatty? The answer is yes, oxtail contains 14.34 grams of total fat in 100 grams of serving. The amount of fat also depends on other ingredients that we add while cooking in oxtail.
But this fat is not at all unhealthy. It does not raise the bad cholesterol levels in the blood. So, the oxtail fat is good if we eat an oxtail sparingly and according to the calorie requirements of our body.
Is Oxtail Bad for Cholesterol?
Is oxtail high in cholesterol is a most common question in people’s minds and this is the fear which does not allow them to eat an oxtail despite knowing its health benefits.
An oxtail contains 141mg of cholesterol per serving and in an average diet, one should not consume more than 300 mg of Cholesterol. So, one serving of oxtail is safe if you are not having a high blood cholesterol level problem or other cardiovascular problems.
Calories in an Oxtail With Bones
A 100 gram serving of oxtail along with bones contains 262 calories, out of which 130 calories come from fats. The amount of calories in an oxtail recipe also depends upon the other ingredients that we add for taste and flavor.
Is Oxtail Good for Bone Broth?
Bone broth is the healthiest option if we talk about what is oxtail good for? Oxtail Bone broth’s benefits are just amazing. There can be hardly any recipe containing so many nutrients in a single dish.
An oxtail bone broth is free of hormones and preservatives. It is full of calcium and phosphorus. It has no carbs in it, which means it is also healthy for weight loss and for those who are following a keto diet.
It is full of proteins that give it muscle strengthening properties and make it satiating. It contains collagen that maintains the health of skin, tendons, ligaments, nails, and hair. Collagen also prevents aging. It is a perfect post-workout meal.
Is Oxtail Good for Weight Loss?
According to research, the daily fat intake for an 83 kg adult male is 11.5 grams per day. Fats are very important to absorb the other nutrients in our body. But how you eat oxtail is of great importance in losing weight.
Oxtail is a keto-friendly dish, full of proteins that can keep your stomach full for longer. It also contains a good amount of monounsaturated fats but it is also high in proteins. Whether the oxtail is going to make you bulky or not depends upon how you prepare it.
You need fats to absorb vitamins and minerals. But the amount of fat you are consuming should not cross the recommended limits. You can also filter the fat out of an oxtail broth or you can prepare it with a lot of vegetables to make it healthy.
Oxtail Health Benefits
Oxtail has a variety of health benefits if we eat it in a moderate amount. Following are some of the best benefits that you may get from eating an oxtail.
- The collagen in an oxtail improves skin strength and elasticity.
- Keratin and elastin are mainly responsible for the health of hair, skin, and nails.
- It contains selenium, an antioxidant that prevents degenerative diseases and controls the aging process.
- Eating an oxtail can increase sexual arousal and enhance stamina.
- Consuming a food high in collagen can also blacken the grey hairs.
- It can also help in strengthening the bones and muscles tissues.
Healthy Oxtail Recipe
Peppered with vitamins and minerals, the oxtails are a great way to get your daily dose of protein. And don’t forget about collagen! It has also been shown in studies as an effective recovery aid following challenging workouts.
The healthiest way to consume an oxtail is in the form of soup. Here is a healthy oxtail soup recipe.
Homemade Oxtail Soup
The French and Flemish immigrants who settled in London created a soup out of oxtail stewing for hours with a fat content that made up for its lack of meat. This Cheap Cut recipe was economical because it could be used to economize any part from an animal, but today we know better, this dish is delicious!
Ingredients
- 4-6 oxtail pieces
- Neck/ femur bones
- 2 large tomatoes
- 2 medium potatoes
- 4-5 carrots
- 1 white onion
- 1 Bunch celery
- 1-inch piece ginger
- 1.5 heads garlic
- Soy sauce (Dipping)
- Scallion
- Sesame oil
- White pepper powder
- Salt
- Fish sauce
Preparation
Fill ¾ of a large pot with water. Add oxtail in it and allow it to boil for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add the aromatics that are garlic, onion, ginger, and scallion, and then cook for 90 minutes. After 90 minutes add chopped carrots and celery and cook again for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, add chopped tomatoes, potatoes, and half onion to cook for 30 minutes. Now add salt, pepper, sesame oil, and fish sauce. After 10 minutes, the delicious vegetable oxtail soup is ready. Enjoy it with some healthy sauce.
Jamaican Oxtail Stew
This is a must-have for those who enjoy the taste of fall. The rich and deep gravy spiced up primarily with thyme, paprika, Scotch bonnet pepper, curry powder, and browning sauce makes this dish out-of-this-world delicious!
Ingredients
- cooking oil
- oxtails (cut up in medium pieces)
- onion, garlic, thyme
- smoked paprika
- tomato sauce/ketchup
- whole Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero
- green onions
- allspice
- Worcestershire sauce
- curry powder
- canned butter beans
- salt
Preparation
On a frypan, carefully brown the oxtail pieces on both sides with oil– about 2-3 minutes per side.
Remove the oxtail from the frypan. Add onions, green onions, garlic, thyme, allspice, Worcestershire, smoked paprika in the frypan, stir for about a minute to make a saute.
Next, add in scotch bonnet pepper, tomato paste, bouillon, and curry powder. Stir for another minute.
Add browned oxtail with water or stock in a pressure cooker and switch to pressure cook for 40-45 minutes. Now add the mixed saute into it and pressure cook for another 15 minutes. Lastly, add the beans and continue to simmer them on the stove.
Korean Oxtail Soup (Kkori Gomtang)
It’s very popular in South Korea. A cold day calls for this soup! The best way to get the most out of your meal, make sure you refrigerate it.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds oxtails
- 12 to 15 cups water
- 1 medium Korean white radish (peeled and cut into large chunks)
- garlic minced (3 to 4 cloves)
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 3 green onions
Preparation
Soak the oxtails in cold water for about 2 hours to drain out the blood. Now, place the soaked oxtails in a large pot, along with about 12-13 cups of freshwater. Boil it for 3-4 hours. Add more water if the water reduces to half at the 3-hour mark. After 4 hours, remove the oxtails from the bowl and place them into a separate bowl. Cover both the pot with the lid and refrigerate overnight.
In the next morning, all of the fat will be solidified. Now, add cold oxtails into the cold water bowls and start boiling again. Add some reddish chunks into it. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic. Low cook for about 20-30 minutes. When ready to serve, garnish with diced green onions and serve with steamed white rice.
The Bottom Line
So, the final answer to the question, Is oxtail healthy is that it is very healthy and high in proteins. It contains a good amount of iron. The deficiency of iron can cause anemia and shortness of breath. Sodium and potassium are important for electrolyte balance in the body. It regulates plasma levels in the blood. The best way to eat an oxtail is to make its broth or eat it in the form of soup with a lot of vegetables or in the form of stew with rice.
FAQs
What is the most unhealthy meat to eat?
Meat with more saturated fats in it is the most unhealthy. It raises the bad cholesterol level in the blood. Beef, pork, and lamb contain saturated fats and therefore they are considered unhealthy meats.
Is oxtail safe to eat?
Oxtail is safe to eat because it does not contain the spinal cord. The spinal cord of animals that might be affected with Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy ends before reaching the oxtail. So it is completely safe to eat an oxtail.
What animal is oxtail made from?
Oxtail means a cattle’s tail. It is most commonly a cow’s tail. It has many health benefits and people cook it in many ways.
What are the health benefits of oxtail?
Oxtail contains collagen that promotes skin health, is good for muscles, provides strength to bones, maintains joint health, and is important for heart health.
What is Jamaican oxtail made of?
Oxtail is the most popular tail meat in many parts of Africa, and for good reason. It has an excellent flavor that’s much like beef but with a better texture. It’s tough enough to chew on without being too soft. It’s a perfect dish if you’re craving something different than your regular burger!
