Why TikTok Had Issues With A Recipe For Jamaican Oxtail

Food is often a key part of tradition. You may remember going to your grandparents' house every Sunday to enjoy your grandma's signature spaghetti. Perhaps every Thanksgiving your family creates a casserole with that special, unique spin. Not unlike these distinctive memories, different countries have their own traditional cuisines as well.

Per Stacker, the Bahamas are known for breaded and fried cracked conch. Germany's staple is sauerbraten, which is beef, veal, and venison roasted and marinated for several days. If you visit Spain, you'll likely be munching on paella, a dish made with rice, seafood or meat, and a spice called saffron. And in Jamaica, oxtail is considered a delicacy. This popular food is cooked with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, carrots, onions, beef broth, and a wide range of other flavor-packed seasonings (Via Sandals).

Now, think back to that family tradition from before, and recall all the times you've thought, "That's just not the same as grandma used to make it." Basically, that's exactly what happened to one TikToker who attempted Jamaican oxtail.

In February 2022, a TikTok creator posted a video detailing their Jamaican oxtail recipe. In the beginning, they show viewers how the finished product turned out with the tune of "Do We Have Problem?" by Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby subtly in the background. The ingredients contained a mixture of fresh garlic and thyme, green and yellow onions, fresh bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, pimento seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and butter beans seasoned with all-purpose seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and browning. The creator seemed super excited about they dish, but unfortunately, some commenters didn't feel the same way.

One TikToker claimed the creator used the wrong seasoning, and they were met with the reply, "People use what they wanna use." The original commenter then responded, "Key word JAMAICAN OXTAIL! Not Belgium and China Jamaican. So if I correct the sir I have all Wright [sic] as a Jamaican chef. Thank you." Another reply read, "You aren't Jamaican dude and that's not the way us Jamaicans do our oxtails." Several other commenters said they felt the same way, making it clear that the issue with the recipe was its lack of authenticity to the Jamaican version. If this flavor combination intrigues you, the TikTokers might recommend this jerk chicken recipe.