Cow foot soup – slowly simmered with spices, yam – fatty, gelatinous, spicy and truly a delight.
Cow foot soup is not everyone’s dish; however, those who take pleasure eating cow foot would delight in this Caribbean version. It is the perfect time to make this dish because it is comforting during these cold winter months.
I know most Westerner’s cringe at the idea of consuming cow feet or the feet of any animal. However, in many parts of the world – Africa, Caribbean, South America and Asia the feet are part of a meal and are consumed as protein (meat) or use to flavor soups, stews or any dish that is in need of flavor.
Here, I made a one-pot meal that is sure to please even those with discerning palate – even you! Yes you.
I see you thumbing your nose at these. Be careful, I am Mama Bear. I might just get out of this screen and get you. Okay, just kidding. I am a lover not a fighter.
Fatty, gelatinous, spicy and oozing with marrow, you know you want to try it. Come on. Give it it a go – I promise it won’t bite!
Cow foot soup can be prepared in many different ways, it all depends on your country of origin and the spices you have on hand. In this recipe, I used basic ingredients like smoked paprika, garlic, onions, pepper, cayenne, thyme and green onions. You can use some ethnic ingredients with this one. To make it a complete meal, I added yams, Caribbean yellow yams, or Ghana yams would work or sub with plantains, cassava or potatoes.
You may just throw everything together except for the yams and let it cook for about 2 hours or more or to activate the flavors, sauté onions, spices and then add cow foot. You can use your slow cooker for this – it takes about 6-8 hours slowly cooked
Enjoy!
Cow Foot Soup
Ingredients
- 3 –3 1/2 pounds cow foot
- 1 pound yam or plantain
- 1 large onion diced
- ½ cup diced celery
- 2-3 green onion chopped
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8-12 ounce carrot sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy bottom sauce pan with about 2 tablespoon s oil then add onions, celery and sauté for about a minute or two
- Add all the spices paprika, garlic, cayenne pepper, thyme, bouillon and salt to taste. Stir for another minute, throw in the cow foot, continue stirring for about 2 minutes add a little bit of water if needed.
- Gently add about 8 -10 cups of water to the pot, bring to a boil and simmer for about 2 -3 hours.
- About 20 minutes before it is ready add yam ,carrot and green onion– cook until yam is tender. Adjust seasonings and thickness of soup.
- Serve warm
Nutrition Information:
Danny Sambouya says
What do we do with the celery and green onion?? It seems to be missing from the recipe.
ImmaculateBites says
Recipe has been updated. It is together with onions and the green onion is thrown in with yams.
Maria says
This recipe looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Question though — is the plantain green or ripe one?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Maria! It tastes delicious too :). Green plantain or half-ripe plantain will work for this recipe.
Jazmine says
Do I cook the plantain on the side or in the stew? Mine is currently cooking and it smells delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
It’s a matter of preference . They both work out just fine.
Kim says
My husband is Egyptian.. and they have it slow cooked about 3 hours on the stove top.. I however, have not acquired a taste for cow feet.. I cook it about 3 times a month for him.. I do enjoy a good oxtail thou. Thanks for the recipe.
Joanna says
Love your recipes. My friend from nigeria introduced me to african and Caribbean cuisine. I love it since, hot and spicy. Im gonna definitely make cow foot spicy soup.
Danny says
Great recipe. I’m looking for a great oxtail recipe next
Lisa says
While in the market I saw cow feet and said I’m going to make something I never made cow foot soup I found your recipe and started it the slow cooker last night I’m excited!
imma africanbites says
Hope it turned out well for you, Lisa! Thanks for dropping by.
Natie says
Here in South Florida we have a lot of Jamaican restaurants that serve cow feet with white large beans. Delicious. I got hooked on it and make it in my pressure cooker. 30 min for the feet and than I add beans or vegetables, yucca and/or yams. Another 20 to 30 minutes. Sometimes I add beef because my friends look for meat.
Di says
I live in Florida and we have various Caribbean restaurants that serve this dish sometimes. I made this for my husband today and it was delicious. I also stewed it with broad beans me and carrots
Imma says
That sounds great. Thank you for taking the time to tell me how much you enjoyed, it makes my day!
Juanita says
Thanks for this i needed the timings on how long should I pressure the cow heel…:)
Charles Davis says
When in Belize, Orange County I had the privilege to experience Cow Foot Soup. I would love to prepare this dish for my Grandaughter. Her meals are most restricted from many ingredients. She is allergic to potatoes but we substitute yams in many ways like potatoes. I find that the taste and texture is most similar. I’m glad she is adventurous with many new dishes.
I’m so glad to find this recipe.
Thanks Charlie
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Charles, Yes they are, I do it all the time too!When am experimenting with different flavors or when I run out of potatoes .Hope your Granddaughter enjoys this as much as I do. Thanks for taking time out to share your thoughts with me. Happy Cooking!!!
Chantel says
Can I cook this soup with pigs feet?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you can :).
Ayeisha Morrison says
Well hi Charles, I am a native Belizean . A secret to our soup is the infamous season “Ricardo.” If you ever return to Belize make sure you bring some back with you, it is the key. Also, something we add to our soup is yuka also known as cassava , a good addition !
Mike Young says
I assume from the photo that the cow foot has to be cut into chunks, so I had my butcher do that with his saw.
Also, not sure where the boullion came in, but I will simmer in 4 cups beef broth and four cups water.
ImmaculateBites says
The bouillon comes in when simmering the the cow foot. It’s optional.
Joe Inn says
Is the oil from the bouillon any good? Can it be scooped out to make the dish less harmful in terms of fat?
Jim Matheny says
What does the cow foot look like when cut? I am a meat cutter, but this is a new request any guidance on how to cut. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
It’s sliced then split in the middle- cut in large chunks- about 8-18 pieces per foot, depending on the size and preference.
Les Hester says
I used to make cow heel broth but I am unable to obtain cow heel anymore. Can anyone tell me where I can buy some ? I live in Hartlepool
ImmaculateBites says
Check the following places in your neighborhood; International markets, Asian Markets, Caribbean and/or African Markets and hispanic markets .
Anneke says
I love to add all sorts of vegetables to this. Especially cut green beans and peas. A packet of mix veg also ads a lot of flavor. Growing up in South Africa, this has been my favorite cut of meat since I was small. (We don’t seem to have a problem finding the heels in our shops here.)
ImmaculateBites says
I know right! It’s readily available in most African countries – but not so much over here, in the states. I think am going to try it next with vegetables. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us Anneke.
Claudette Eccleston says
I really like the look of this version (probably my favourite so far) and I think that even I could manage it!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks you will love it!!!
[email protected] says
I don’t have all the ingredients, but I love making healthy hearty soups (: Attempting this with all I have tonight (: I love making bone broth soup, but the store was out and said the beef feet are just as good. I’m really excited about this!
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME! Glad to hear you are giving this a try. You are going to love it.
Violet Drnk says
Soooo delicious!!! Thanks for sharing!
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure!! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Violet Drnk says
I have just cooked this recipe and it’s really delicious. Actually, I added some lean meat with this recipe you provided us and my family really love it so much. Thanks for sharing!
Portia says
I’m pregnant and seriously craving them but can’t find them anywhere . I also want to cook them myself but I come home late from work. I want to try your recipe over the weekend… I’m used to the south african way of prepping them…
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Portia! I hear you with the cravings, mine use to happen in the middle of the night . Do you have a pressure cooker? They would cook really fast – it takes me 30 minutes to make them.
Elizabeth says
Adding the akpi now in mine. Just checking to see how other recipes add up. We’ll be eating ours with attièké in Côte d’Ivoire.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for sharing
Nullacia says
Going to try this recipe but don’t have 3 hours…… how do you suggest adjusting the cooking time and when to add the plantains/yams if using a pressure cooker? Thanks 🙂
Ian says
Use a slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low, or 4-6 hours on high. It is longer than in a pressure cooker but the end result is the same.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for sharing
Todd says
Hi. Thanks for sharing this and your other African soup recipes. I haven’t cooked with a cow’s foot yet, but have read that the gelatin within the foot is released during the process and yields a great deal of flavor. Your site is a great resource for food that isn’t very well-known in the United States. And great photography, too!
ImmaculateBites says
Man, todd it sure releases some serious flavor. You have got to try it! Thanks for taking the time to comment and yes, I love writing about less well-known African influenced meals.
Jehancancook says
One of my favorite soups!! Looks great!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks. Am glad I have a partner in crime.
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
This is my grandmother’s weakness, she adores this soup.
ImmaculateBites says
Charlene, your grandmother sure do have great taste.
Rita says
I can smell this dish now. Growing up in Belize, cow foot soup was a frequent dish in our home. Every mom has her own twist, but my mom’s was the best 😉 Thanks for posting!
ImmaculateBites says
Rita, nothing taste as good as mom’s cooking- am with you on this one. Thanks for stopping by!
Therese says
Yum!!! Can’t wait to try this