Slow Cooked Oxtails: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Are you in the mood for a hearty, delicious meal but don’t have the time or energy to stand over a stove for hours? Using a crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, is a great way to create tender, flavorful dishes without much effort. If you’re a fan of oxtails, then you’re in luck! This article will provide you with a simple recipe for making delicious oxtails in your crock pot that will leave you feeling satisfied and content.
Oxtails are a popular ingredient in many different cuisines around the world. They are a tough, fatty cut of meat that requires a slow cooking method to become tender and flavorful. By using a crock pot, you’ll have perfectly cooked oxtails with minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you’re craving something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So, grab your crock pot, your oxtails, and let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
Making oxtails in a crockpot is a time-tested way of creating a rich, tender, and flavorful dish. Before you start, you’ll need to make sure you have all the ingredients you need. Here are the things that you should prepare:
Oxtail
The first and most important ingredient is, of course, the oxtail. You’ll need about four pounds of oxtail to create a delicious crockpot meal. Make sure to choose oxtails that are fresh and are not freezer-burnt to ensure the best taste. We recommend going to your local butcher to purchase fresh, high-quality meat.
Seasonings
To make the oxtails even more flavorful, you’ll need a variety of spices and seasonings. We suggest using a combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Feel free to adjust the seasoning as per your preference.
Vegetables
Adding vegetables to the crockpot not only enhances the flavor of the dish but also makes it more nutritious. We recommend adding carrots, celery, onions, and bell peppers to the mix.
Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce
Tomatoes and tomato sauce help to create a rich, savory sauce for the oxtails. You’ll need canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to create the sauce.
Beef Broth or Stock
To ensure that the oxtails are tender and juicy, you’ll need to add beef broth or stock to the mix. You can either make your own stock or purchase it from a store. If you choose to make your own, make sure to let the broth cook for a few hours to extract all the flavors.
Preparation
Now that you have all the ingredients that you need, it’s time to start preparing the oxtails. Follow these steps carefully to create a delicious oxtail crockpot meal.
Browning the Meat
Start by browning the oxtails. This step is optional, but it adds a rich flavor to the dish. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the oxtails on all sides. This will take around 4-5 minutes.
Adding the Vegetables
Next, add the vegetables to the crockpot. Layer the onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers at the bottom of the pot.
Layering the Meat
Now, layer the oxtails on top of the vegetables in the pot. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
Adding the Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix together the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Pour the sauce over the oxtails in the crockpot.
Seasoning the Oxtails
Sprinkle the spices and seasonings over the oxtails. Be careful not to add too much salt, as the beef broth may already have salt in it.
Cooking the Oxtails
Place the lid on the crockpot and cook the oxtails on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours. Check the oxtails occasionally to make sure there is enough liquid in the pot and to turn the meat.
Serving the Oxtails
Once the oxtails are cooked, remove them from the pot and let them rest for a few minutes. You can serve the oxtails with mashed potatoes, rice, or any other side dishes that you prefer.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.
Final Thoughts
Making oxtails in a crockpot may take some time, but the end result is worth it. With this recipe, you can create rich, flavorful, and tender oxtails that your family and friends will love. Give it a try and savor the mouth-watering taste of oxtails every time.
10 Simple Steps to Make Delicious Oxtails in a Crock Pot
As mentioned earlier, oxtails are known for their tender meat and rich, flavorful broth. Making them in a crock pot ensures that the meat is cooked evenly and falls right off the bone. With these simple steps, you can make restaurant-quality oxtails in no time!
1. Choosing Fresh Oxtails
The key to making great oxtails is choosing the freshest meat. Look for oxtails that have a deep red color and plenty of fat marbling, which will ensure the meat is moist and tender.
2. Cleaning and Preparing the Meat
Wash the oxtails thoroughly in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the meat with your favorite spices, like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. For added flavor, you can also marinate the meat overnight in a mixture of red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and your favorite herbs.
3. Searing the Meat
Searing the meat before placing it in the crock pot brings out its natural flavor. Heat up a frying pan with some olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the oxtails for a few minutes on each side until they are browned.
4. Chopping Vegetables
Once the meat is browned, remove it from the pan and add some chopped vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. Cook the vegetables until they are soft and fragrant, then transfer them to your crock pot.
5. Adding Broth
Add low-sodium beef broth to the crock pot, making sure the liquid covers the meat completely. You can also add a few cups of water and beef bouillon cubes for extra flavor.
6. Setting the Temperature and Time
Set the crock pot to low heat and cook the oxtails for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. You can also cook them on high heat for 3-4 hours, but low heat will give you the best results.
7. Skimming the Fat
After a few hours, you may notice some fat rising to the surface of the broth. Skim it off with a spoon and discard it to keep the broth from becoming greasy.
8. Adding Flavorful Ingredients
To enhance the flavor of your oxtails, you can add flavorful ingredients like bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. These herbs will infuse the meat and broth with savory flavors and aromas.
9. Thickening the Broth
If you prefer a thick, rich broth, you can thicken it by adding flour or cornstarch. Mix 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, and stir the mixture into the crock pot. Cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the broth thickens.
10. Serving and Enjoying
Once the oxtails are tender and the broth is thick and savory, it’s time to serve them up! Oxtails are best served with fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up all that delicious broth. Sprinkle some chopped parsley or green onions on top for added color and texture, and enjoy your homemade oxtails!
Ingredients Needed for Making Oxtails in a Crock Pot
If you’re looking for a hearty and delicious meal, you can’t go wrong with oxtails in a crock pot. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this dish:
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Oxtails | 2-3 lbs. |
Garlic | 4-5 cloves, minced |
Onion | 1 medium, sliced |
Carrots | 2 medium, sliced |
Celery | 2-3 stalks, sliced |
Beef broth | 2 cups |
Red wine | 1 cup (optional) |
Salt | 1 tsp. |
Black pepper | 1 tsp. |
Thyme | 1 tsp. |
Rosemary | 1 tsp. |
Preparation Steps for Oxtails in a Crockpot
With the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps necessary to prepare this delicious meal:
Step 1: Season the Oxtails
The first step to making oxtails in a crock pot is to season them with salt and black pepper. This will help to bring out the flavor of the meat.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic, Onion, Carrots, and Celery
Heat a pan over medium heat and add some oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and onion and cook until they are fragrant. Then, add the carrots and celery and cook for a few more minutes until they begin to soften.
Step 3: Add Oxtails to the Crock Pot
Place the seasoned oxtails in the crock pot and pour the sautéed vegetables over them.
Step 4: Add Broth and Wine
Pour the beef broth and red wine (if using) over the oxtails and vegetables.
Step 5: Add Seasonings
Sprinkle thyme and rosemary on top of the oxtails and vegetables.
Cooking and Serving
Now that you’ve prepared the oxtails, it’s time to cook and serve them.
Step 1: Cook the Oxtails
Cover the crock pot and turn it on low heat. Let it cook for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
Step 2: Serve the Oxtails
You can serve the oxtails and vegetables as is or, for a thicker sauce, you can remove the oxtails from the crock pot and strain the vegetables and broth. Then, return the oxtails to the crock pot and pour the strained sauce over them.
Conclusion
Making oxtails in a crock pot can seem intimidating, but with these easy steps, you’ll be able to create a delicious and hearty meal that will impress your family and friends. Don’t forget to share this article with anyone looking for a delicious slow-cooked meal. Happy cooking!
Happy Cooking with Crock Pot Oxtails
With these easy steps, you can now whip up a delicious meal of oxtails in the comfort of your home using your crock pot. You don’t have to be a master chef to make a hearty and satisfying meal that your whole family can enjoy. Experiment with different spices and flavors and make it your own. Thanks for reading and happy cooking! Don’t forget to come back for more cooking tips and tricks.
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