Slow Cooker Oxtail: A Deliciously Tender Recipe

Oxtails are a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be used in a range of dishes. One of the most simple and flavorful ways to cook oxtails is in a crockpot or slow cooker. With just a few ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a melt-in-your-mouth dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Before you begin, it’s important to prepare your oxtails by trimming off any excess fat and seasoning them well with salt and pepper. Then, you can add them to your crockpot along with aromatic vegetables like onions, garlic, and carrots, as well as your choice of liquid, such as beef broth or red wine. Set your crockpot to low heat and let it cook for several hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Serve your oxtails with a side of rice or mashed potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal.

10 Easy Steps to Make Delicious Oxtails in Your Crockpot

Oxtails are known for their tender, rich and flavorful meat. Cooking them in a crockpot guarantees a succulent, juicy and fall-off-the-bone experience. Whether it’s a hearty family meal or a dish for mustering up guests, making oxtails in a crockpot is a simple and perfect way to serve up a delicious meal. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll be soaring high with the aroma of deliciousness in no time.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Cut of Oxtail

When tapping into oxtails, it is essential to pick out the appropriate meat. The tails come from the back of the animal and are cut into several pieces that range from 2 to 4 inches wide. With a significant amount of meat, the bigger oxtails tend to be the most flavorful. In your local market, look for thicker cuts of oxtail that still have some fat and connective tissue to help promote the perfect texture when cooked.

Step 2: Gathering Your Ingredients

After securing your oxtails, you will need to gather other ingredients, including; your choice of spices, chopped vegetables, oil, flour, broth, and a crockpot.

Step 3: Preparing the Oxtails

Before placing the oxtails in the crockpot, you need to prepare them. With a paper towel, dry the tails and gently dust them with some flour. This dusting gives the tails a savory crust and also helps the sauce thicken.

Step 4: Browning the Oxtails

To create a rich flavor, brown the tails using a pan and some oil. Ensure that they are browned all the way around, which takes about two to three minutes per side.

Step 5: Sauteing Your Vegetables

The vegetables are essential in adding flavor to your oxtails. Sauté the chopped vegetables, including onions, celery, garlic, and carrots, in the same pan you used to brown the oxtails. Before placing the vegetables in the crockpot, remove the excess oil and transfer them onto a plate.

Step 6: Adding Your Spices

To spice up your oxtails, use your preferred spices. Black pepper and bay leaves give that extra zing, but feel free to add other flavors like smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, cumin, and coriander.

Step 7: Adding Your Broth

To lend the oxtails sumptuous, juicy goodness, add broth to the crockpot. Beef or vegetable broth is most commonly used; it provides all the essential elements that make the oxtails moist and tender.

Step 8: Mix Everything In the Crockpot

After preparing the ingredients, add them all into the crockpot and stir everything until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 9: Cooking Your Oxtails

Set your crockpot to cook on low heat and let your oxtails cook for 6-8 hours. Note that slow cooking is essential to make sure the oxtails are moist and fall off-the-bone tender.

Step 10: Serving Your Oxtails

After the oxtails are done cooking, carefully remove them from the crockpot and serve them with your preferred sides. Some tasty options include steak fries, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice. Sprinkle on some parsley or chives for a beautiful garnish.

In conclusion, making oxtails in a crockpot is fool-proof, and with these easy steps, it can become one of your go-to dishes! With patience, creativity, and love, you can be sure of perfect, fall-off-the-bone oxtails every time.

Preparing the Oxtails

Once you have all your ingredients ready, it is time to start your oxtail crockpot preparation. Here are the steps you need to follow to ensure your oxtail is tasty and tender.

1. Clean the Oxtails

To ensure your oxtails are clean and safe to eat, you need to wash them thoroughly before cooking. Rinse the meat under cold running water and remove any visible dirt or debris. Pat dry with a clean towel.

2. Marinate the Oxtails

Marinating the oxtails is an essential step as it allows the meat to absorb the flavors and become tender. For the best results, marinate the oxtails overnight or for at least 2-3 hours before cooking. You can use any marinade of your choice, but a simple mix of spices, herbs, oil, and vinegar works perfectly.

3. Season the Oxtails

Seasoning the oxtails is another vital step in its preparation. Add your preferred seasoning and rub it all over the oxtails to ensure it penetrates to the meat. Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika are great options.

4. Brown the Oxtails

Browning the oxtails before adding them to the crockpot enhances their flavor and improves the texture of the meat. Heat oil in a skillet or a roasting pan, add the oxtails, and cook until they are brown on all sides.

5. Add Vegetables

Adding vegetables to the oxtail dish not only boosts its nutritional value but also enhances the taste and appearance. You can use carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and bell peppers. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and add them to the crockpot.

6. Choose the Right Liquids

The liquids you choose can make or break your oxtail crockpot recipe. Beef broth, red wine, or water works well as they add depth and richness to the dish. Add enough liquid to cover the oxtails and vegetables.

7. Sweeten the Dish

Adding a sweetener to your oxtail recipe balances the flavors and makes it more enjoyable. Brown sugar, honey, or molasses are perfect sweeteners. Add a tablespoon or two to the crockpot and stir well.

8. Add Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices enhance the flavors of the oxtail dish. Rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and cinnamon are excellent choices. Add them to the pot, stir, and let the dish cook.

9. Slow-Cook the Oxtails

Slow cooking is the best method for making tender oxtails. Set your crockpot to low heat, cover, and let the oxtails cook for 6-8 hours. Check periodically to ensure there is enough liquid and adjust the seasoning to your preference.

10. Serve and Enjoy!

After 6-8 hours, take the lid off the pot and let the oxtails cool for a few minutes. Serve the oxtails with a side dish of your choice and enjoy!

Ingredients for Making Oxtails in Crockpot

Slow-cooked oxtails are a perfect meal to enjoy during the fall and winter months. With the convenience of a crockpot, you can create this savory comfort food without worrying about lengthy cooking times. Plus, you’ll be able to fill your house with a delicious aroma all day long. Before diving into the recipe, let’s go over the essential ingredients you will need to prepare this dish.

Oxtails

The star of the show is, of course, the oxtails. You’ll need approximately 4 pounds of oxtails for this recipe. Oxtails can be easily found at a local butcher or grocery store. Make sure to select high-quality meat that has a bright red color and is well marbled. Allowing the oxtails to cook slowly in the crockpot will break down the connective tissue, making the meat super tender and flavorful.

Vegetables

To give the oxtails additional flavor and balance out the richness of the meat, you’ll want to add some vegetables to the pot. Chopped onion, garlic, and carrots are the perfect trio to add to the crockpot. You can also add celery, mushrooms, or any of your favorite vegetables to make the dish more nutritious.

Broth and Seasoning

To ensure the oxtails are juicy and tender, you’ll need to add liquid to the crockpot. For this recipe, we recommend using beef broth or chicken broth, depending on your preference. A mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste will give the broth a rich umami flavor. You can also add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste.

Fatty Pork

Fatty pork is optional but highly recommended. Adding pork to the pot will not only add more flavor but also brings out the richness of the oxtails. Pork belly, pancetta, or bacon are all great options to consider. Cut the pork into small pieces before adding it to the crockpot.

Flour and Cornstarch

To thicken the sauce and make it richer in flavor, you can add a tablespoon of flour and cornstarch to your crockpot recipe. Whisk together 1 tbsp of flour and 1 tbsp of cornstarch with cold water until the starches are dissolved. Add this paste to the pot and whisk until the sauce thickens.

With these ingredients in hand, you’ll be able to prepare a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for a cold day. Now let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll discuss the step-by-step process of preparing oxtails in a crockpot.

Time to Dig In!

Well, folks, you made it to the end of our journey. We hope that this article was easy to follow and that we’ve given you some useful tips and tricks to make some delicious oxtails in your crockpot. We want to thank you for reading our article and spending time with us. Don’t forget to come back again and check out our other posts. Until then, enjoy your savory oxtails and savor every bite!