Rabo Encendido

Name: Rabo Encendido
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients: 4 lbs oxtail, cut into 2-inch pieces; 4 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 1 28oz can diced tomatoes (canned); 1 cup tomato sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 1/2 cup green olives (pitted); 1/4 cup raisins; 4 tbsp sofrito; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper

Oxtail stewed with tomatoes, peppers, and olives in a savory gravy, a rich Puerto Rican comfort dish with fall-apart-tender meat and bold, complex flavors.

200 minMediumServes 6480 cal/serving

Puerto RicanDinnerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

4 lbs oxtail, cut into 2-inch pieces
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes (canned)
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup green olives (pitted)
1/4 cup raisins
4 tbsp sofrito
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1

Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown 4 lbs cut into 2-inch pieces oxtail in batches, about 5-7 minutes per side. Set aside.
2

In the same pot, sauté 1 diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes.
3

Stir in 4 tbsp sofrito and 1 tsp dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4

Add 1 28oz can diced tomatoes (canned) and 1 cup tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
5

Return oxtail to the pot. Pour in 2 cups beef broth. Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until meat is fork-tender.
7

Stir in 1/2 cup green olives (pitted) and 1/4 cup raisins. Simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes.
8

Check that meat reaches 190 degrees F internally (should fall off the bone).
9

Serve with rice, beans, or plantains.

Questions

How long does Rabo Encendido keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. It also freezes well for up to three months.

Can I halve or double Rabo Encendido?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

Arroz con Gandules side
Sofrito sauce
Tembleque dessert

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