Best Oxtail Pepper Soup Recipe

Every day is a good day to dive into Spanish soup recipes until you find your favorite one.

The oxtail pepper soup brings a modern twist to a classic recipe, making it an amazing choice for those who love an extra spicy kick in their everyday meals.

For more information on how do you make oxtail soup, and expert tips for storing, serving, and customizing the recipe, make sure to continue reading this article.

You, dear reader, support this blog. If you purchase through a link, we earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish oxtail recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Basque oxtail stew

• Red wine oxtail stew

• Portuguese oxtail stew

Background of the Dish

The classic oxtail soup originated in Andalusia centuries ago as a way to elevate the humble oxtail, a cheap yet challenging cut of meat, into a more enjoyable dish.

The traditional recipe comprised simple ingredients such as onions, garlic cloves, and beef broth, all seasoned just with salt and occasionally fresh chopped herbs.

The oxtail pepper soup represents a contemporary twist on the beloved classic. Crafted with the modern palate in mind, this version incorporates a medley of peppers and spices, delivering an explosion of flavor to the table without overwhelming your taste buds.

Pin for later!

Things You’ll Need for Oxtail Pepper Soup

To prepare the oxtail pepper soup you will need oxtail, beef broth, tomatoes, onions, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet peppers, a mix of spices, and garlic cloves as the main ingredients.

Keep scrolling down to learn how to cook oxtail soup, where the only equipment that you will need is a large pot and a stove.

Ingredients

• 1.5kg oxtail
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper (adjust to taste)
• 8 cups (2l) beef or vegetable broth
• 2 onions
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons ground pepper 
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (Optional, for garnish)

How to Make Oxtail Pepper Soup – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this easy oxtail soup recipe, peel and chop the onion into small squares and mince the garlic cloves. Chop the tomatoes, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet pepper into small pieces (discarding the seeds previously). Set them aside.

2. After that, pat the oxtail dry with kitchen paper and trim the excess fat. Cut into chunks and season with salt on both sides (no need to add pepper as you will include it and more spices later in this oxtail vegetable soup).

3. Now, grab a large pot and heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Then, add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Also, add minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

4. For the next step in the best oxtail soup recipe, stir in ground pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, bay leaves, basil, and oregano. Mix well to coat the aromatics.

5. Then, add the chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet pepper. Cook until the tomatoes break down and the peppers are softened.

6. After that, add the oxtails to the pot and brown them for about 5 minutes, turning to sear all sides.

7. Now you can pour in the beef or vegetable broth. Bring the easy oxtail soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 2 hours or until the oxtail is tender.

8. To continue with this Spanish oxtail recipe, do a taste test, and season with salt, adjusting the rest of the spices according to your taste. You can add more ground pepper or cayenne for extra heat.

9. To finish the oxtail Spanish recipe, discard the bay leaves and you can now serve the oxtail pepper soup hot. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley to add a hint of freshness to this homemade oxtail soup.

Substitution of Ingredients

There are some ingredient substitutions that you can make in this easy recipe for oxtail soup, and we will share them with you next.

First, the oxtail pepper soup is meant to be spicy, but if you taste it and think it has to be a bit milder, then simply add one cup of heavy cream for the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Now, if you want to make this old-fashioned oxtail soup recipe even spicier, you can add a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce and an extra jalapeño pepper.

We strongly believe that this is the best oxtail soup ever, but you can easily turn it into a Spanish oxtail stew if that’s what you want: use 4 cups of broth instead of 8, only adding more if it completely evaporates.

Lastly, if spicy food isn’t your thing, then we have other oxtail soup recipes for you to try, like the fantastic oxtail soup with mixed vegetables and the flavorful tomato oxtail soup.

Tips on Serving Oxtail Pepper Soup

Once you finish preparing the delicious oxtail pepper soup you will have a main dish ready to be served right away, for lunch or dinner.

We recommend that you serve this Spanish soup with water or water and wine as the main beverage so that you have something that will tone down the spiciness.

Just as you would with other spicy dishes, such as Mexican oxtail soup, grating some Parmesan or Manchego cheese on top will help you incorporate more dairy, making the heat more bearable.

Lastly, the oxtail pepper soup is a pretty filling dish, but you can draw inspiration from the oxtail noodle soup and serve it with your favorite cooked pasta or rice.

How to Store Oxtail Pepper Soup

First, allow the oxtail pepper soup to cool to room temperature and transfer it to a big airtight container (or multiple small ones if you want to store it in portions).

Then, place the covered traditional oxtail soup in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 45 days (adding a label on top so you don’t go over that time).

When ready to use, transfer the frozen soup to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight, then reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a simmer (add more water or broth if needed).

If you’re interested in exploring more Spanish oxtail recipes that can be stored, be sure to check out our famous smothered oxtail recipe or the mesmerizing oxtails on the stove.

Recipe Card: Oxtail Pepper Soup

---

---