If you love comfort food, try this Zippys Oxtail Soup Recipe. It is a famous dish from Hawaii. Many people crave this warm, meaty soup. Learning how to make Zippys Oxtail Soup is very easy.
This Zippys Oxtail Soup Recipe brings island flavors to your kitchen. You will love every single spoonful of this meal.
Tell Me About This Zippys Oxtail Soup Recipe
The Flavor Profile
This soup has a deep and salty beef taste. It uses star anise for a sweet licorice hint.
The Meat Texture
The meat becomes very soft and falls off bone. Slow cooking makes the oxtail feel like butter.
Ease Of Cooking
This recipe is very simple to follow at home. You just need to let it simmer for hours.
Total Time Needed
It takes about three to four hours to cook. Most of that time is just waiting and smelling.

Equipment List
Large Soup Pot: This holds all the water and heavy meat. It needs a tight lid to keep the heat in.
Fine Mesh Strainer: Use this to remove fat from the broth top. It keeps the soup clear and very clean looking.
Sharp Chefs Knife: You need this to chop ginger and local greens. A sharp blade makes the prep work very fast.
Small Dipping Bowls: These are for the ginger and soy sauce dip. Every guest needs their own bowl for dipping meat.
Ingredients You Need for Zippys Oxtail Soup
Beef Oxtails: This is the main star of the whole dish. It has fat and bone for a rich broth.
Fresh Ginger: You need lots of sliced ginger for the heat. It removes the gamey smell of the beef meat.
Star Anise: These small seeds add a very special licorice aroma. It is the secret to the Zippys soup taste.
Dried Orange Peel: This adds a tiny bit of tang to soup. It balances the heavy oils from the beef fat.
Raw Peanuts: These boil with the meat until they are soft. They add a nice crunch and earthy flavor.
Shiitake Mushrooms: These dried mushrooms add a deep umami savory taste. They soak up the broth and become very juicy.
Chinese Mustard Greens: These bitter greens go in at the very end. They add color and a fresh peppery bite.
Soy Sauce: Use this for salt and a dark brown color. It makes the broth look very rich and tasty.
How to Assemble
1. Blanch the Meat
Place the oxtails in a pot of cold water. Bring it to a boil for ten minutes. This removes grey foam and dirt from the meat. Drain the water and rinse the bones very well.
2. Start the Broth
Fill the pot with fresh clean water again. Add the ginger, star anise, and orange peel now. Drop in the raw peanuts and the dried mushrooms. Bring the liquid to a soft boil on high.
3. Slow Simmering
Turn the heat down to a very low setting. Cover the pot with a lid for three hours. The meat should be very tender by this time. Check the water level every hour to stay full.
4. Season the Soup
Add your soy sauce and salt to the pot. Taste the broth to see if it needs more. Remove any excess oil floating on the very top. The liquid should look clear and dark brown now.
5. Add the Greens
Chop the mustard greens into large chunky pieces. Toss them into the boiling soup for two minutes. They should stay bright green but feel quite soft. Turn off the heat immediately so they do not brown.
6. Prepare the Dip
Grate fresh ginger into small bowls for your guests. Pour soy sauce over the ginger for a dip. This is the traditional way to eat the meat. Serve the soup hot with a side of rice.
Recipe Success Tips
âž” Use a slow cooker if you are very busy.
âž” Always blanch the meat first for a clear soup.
âž” Do not skip the dried orange peel flavor.
âž” Fresh cilantro on top adds a very nice smell.
âž” Toast the star anise for a stronger spice scent.
âž” Skim the fat often for a light healthy broth.
âž” Let the soup sit overnight for a better taste.
How To Store Leftover
Cool the soup down before putting it in the fridge. Use an airtight plastic or glass container for storage. It stays fresh for up to three days easily.
The fat will turn into a hard white layer. Scoop that fat off before you reheat the soup. This makes the leftovers taste even better than day one.
FAQs about Zippys Oxtail Soup
Can I use a pressure cooker for this?
Yes, you can use a pressure cooker for speed. It takes about forty-five minutes to get the meat soft.
What if I cannot find star anise?
You can use a little bit of five-spice powder. It has the same warm scent for your beef broth.
Is oxtail soup healthy for you?
It has lots of collagen which is good for skin. It is a hearty and very filling meal for everyone.
Do I have to use raw peanuts?
Peanuts are traditional but you can leave them out. They add a nice texture to the soft meat.
Conclusion
This Zippys Oxtail Soup Recipe is a true Hawaiian classic. It warms your soul on a cold rainy day. You only need a few ingredients for Zippys Oxtail Soup.
The slow cooking makes the beef taste like a dream. Now you know how to make Zippys Oxtail Soup at home. Share this meal with your family and enjoy the smiles!

Zippys Oxtail Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Large soup pot.
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Sharp Chefs Knife
- Small Dipping Bowls
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Beef Oxtails
- 2 inches Fresh Ginger
- 4 pieces Star Anise
- 1 piece Dried Orange Peel
- 1/2 cup Raw Peanuts
- 6 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
- 1 bunch Chinese Mustard Greens
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Salt
- 10 cups Water
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Blanch the Meat
- Place the oxtails in a pot of cold water. Bring it to a boil for ten minutes. This removes grey foam and dirt from the meat. Drain the water and rinse the bones very well.
Start the Broth
- Fill the pot with fresh clean water again. Add the ginger, star anise, and orange peel now. Drop in the raw peanuts and the dried mushrooms. Bring the liquid to a soft boil on high.
Slow Simmering
- Turn the heat down to a very low setting. Cover the pot with a lid for three hours. The meat should be very tender by this time. Check the water level every hour to stay full.
Season the Soup
- Add your soy sauce and salt to the pot. Taste the broth to see if it needs more. Remove any excess oil floating on the very top. The liquid should look clear and dark brown now.
Add the Greens
- Chop the mustard greens into large chunky pieces. Toss them into the boiling soup for two minutes. They should stay bright green but feel quite soft. Turn off the heat immediately so they do not brown.
Prepare the Dip
- Grate fresh ginger into small bowls for your guests. Pour soy sauce over the ginger for a dip. This is the traditional way to eat the meat. Serve the soup hot with a side of rice.
Notes
âž” Always blanch the meat first for a clear soup.
âž” Do not skip the dried orange peel flavor.
âž” Fresh cilantro on top adds a very nice smell.
âž” Toast the star anise for a stronger spice scent.
âž” Skim the fat often for a light healthy broth.
âž” Let the soup sit overnight for a better taste.













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