Marcus Samuelsson shares a comfort-food recipe for oxtail pepperpot with dumplings

Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 3:29 pm

Chef Marcus Samuelsson Shares Recipe for Classic Caribbean Comfort Food

Celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson has shared his recipe for Oxtail Pepperpot with Dumplings, a dish he describes as the epitome of comfort food. The recipe, featured in his cookbook *The Rise*, offers a glimpse into a traditional Caribbean dish, primarily originating from Guyana.

The dish centers around slow-cooked oxtail, a cut of meat Samuelsson favors for its rich flavor. The recipe involves stewing the oxtail in a flavorful gravy, seasoned with ingredients like cinnamon, brown sugar, hot chiles, and cassareep, a sauce derived from cassava root. The recipe also includes dumplings, which are added during the final stages of cooking.

The recipe calls for a four-pound piece of oxtail, seasoned with salt and pepper, and browned in vegetable oil. The cooking process involves browning the oxtail, then removing it from the pot to sauté vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and scallions. The oxtail is then returned to the pot with chicken stock and simmered for two hours until tender.

The dumplings are made from a simple dough of flour, cornmeal, salt, and water. The dough is kneaded, rolled into snake-like pieces, and cut into smaller portions before being added to the stew during the final 30 minutes of cooking. The dish is traditionally served with rice and peas.

Samuelsson highlights the dish's historical roots, noting its adaptation by African Americans who used oxtail in place of offal. He emphasizes that the dish's flavors deepen over time, making it ideal for preparing in advance.

BNN's Perspective:

This recipe offers a delicious and accessible way to explore Caribbean cuisine. While the cooking time may be significant, the result promises a flavorful and satisfying meal. The dish's cultural significance, as highlighted by Samuelsson, adds another layer of appeal, making it more than just a recipe but a culinary journey.

Keywords: Oxtail, Pepperpot, Dumplings, Recipe, Marcus Samuelsson, Caribbean Cuisine, Comfort Food, Guyana, Slow Cook, Stew, Cassareep, African American, The Rise, Cooking, Food, Chef

Full Story