Traditional South African Oxtail Potjie Recipe (Slow-Cooked Red Wine Beesstert Potjiekos)
Created by Chef Justin
Authentic 4-hour South African Oxtail Potjie (Beesstert Potjiekos) recipe. Slow-braised in red wine and beef stock, layered with baby potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms over wood coals.
30 mins
4h 38m
No. 3 (6–8 Guests)
24
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Ingredients
15 items-
Oxtail (2kg, cut into pieces) (Butchery)
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Streaky Bacon (250g, chopped) (Butchery)
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Large Onions (3, chopped) (Produce)
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Garlic Cloves (6, minced) (Produce)
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Baby Potatoes (1kg, skins on) (Produce)
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Carrots (6, sliced) (Produce)
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Button Mushrooms (250g) (Produce)
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Green Beans (200g, trimmed) (Produce)
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Beef Stock (500ml) (Pantry & Aisle)
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Dry Red Wine (750ml, Cabernet Sauvignon) (Pantry & Aisle)
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Tomato Paste (50g) (Pantry & Aisle)
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Bay Leaves (3) (Pantry & Aisle)
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Olive Oil (Pantry & Aisle)
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Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) (Pantry & Aisle)
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Worcester Sauce (2 tbsp) (Pantry & Aisle)
Cooking Timeline & Layering Steps
Season Oxtail
15mSeason the oxtail pieces generously with salt and black pepper. Prep your coals to medium-high heat.
Render Bacon
10mHeat olive oil in the size 3 potjie pot. Add bacon and fry until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside.
Sear the Oxtail
20mIn the bacon fat, sear the oxtail pieces in batches until deeply browned on all sides. Remove oxtail and set aside.
Fry Aromatics
8mAdd onions and garlic to the pot. Sauté until soft and golden. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Deglaze & Simmer
180mReturn oxtail and bacon to the pot. Pour in the red wine and beef stock. Add bay leaves. Cover with lid and simmer slowly on low coals for 3 hours until oxtail is tender.
Layer Vegetables
45mDO NOT STIR. Layer baby potatoes first, then carrots, then green beans, and finally mushrooms. Season layers lightly. Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes until potatoes are soft.
Expert Potjiekos Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Traditional South African Oxtail Potjie Recipe (Slow-Cooked Red Wine Beesstert Potjiekos) take to cook on the fire?
Traditional South African Oxtail Potjie Recipe (Slow-Cooked Red Wine Beesstert Potjiekos) requires approximately 30 minutes of preparation and 4h 38m of cooking over controlled wood or charcoal coals (6 timed stages).
What size potjie pot do I need for Traditional South African Oxtail Potjie Recipe (Slow-Cooked Red Wine Beesstert Potjiekos)?
This recipe is calibrated for a standard South African No. 3 cast-iron potjie pot (7.8 litres), serving 6 to 8 guests. Use the interactive Pot Size Scaler on this page to adjust quantities automatically for a No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, or No. 6 pot.
Should you stir this potjie while it is simmering?
No—never stir an authentic South African potjiekos once the vegetables are layered on top of the meat. Keep the lid closed over 4 to 6 gentle coals so rising steam cooks each layer to tender perfection without turning potatoes into mush.
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