Tiffany Haney
Oxtail is a cut of beef that is often cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a popular dish in the Caribbean, especially Jamaica, and in Southern soul food cuisine. Cooking oxtail in a crock pot or slow cooker yields tender, succulent pieces of meat that fall off the bone. The long cooking time allows the flavours to meld, creating a rich and savoury dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 4-8 hours |
| Temperature | Low heat |
| Marinade time | 3-4 hours or overnight |
| Ingredients | Oxtails, beef broth, brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cornstarch, butter, flour, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, herbs (bay leaves, thyme, oregano), tomato paste, wine, homemade broth or beef stock |
| Sides | Rice, mashed potatoes, grits, collard greens, green beans, cornbread, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze |
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What You'll Learn
Marinade the oxtails overnight
Marinating oxtails overnight is a great way to infuse them with flavour before slow cooking them. There are many different ingredients you can use to marinate oxtails, but a few essential components will ensure your meat is tender and packed with flavour.
Firstly, choose a base liquid for your marinade. This could be red wine, which will add depth of flavour and help to deglaze the pot, or beef broth, which will enhance the savoury, meaty notes of the oxtails. You could also use coconut aminos for a Whole30 version. Next, add some aromatics to your marinade. Onion and garlic are classic choices that will provide a savoury boost to your oxtails. If you want to add some freshness, consider adding herbs like bay leaves, thyme, and oregano. For some spice, include a Scotch bonnet pepper, jalapeño, or habanero.
Now, it's time to build more flavour. Start with a source of umami, like soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Then, add some sweetness with brown sugar, and a little acidity with ketchup. You can also add some paprika for a smoky note, and some cayenne pepper for extra heat. Don't forget to season generously with salt and black pepper.
Once you've prepared your marinade, place your oxtails in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate overnight, allowing the flavours to penetrate the meat. When you're ready to cook the oxtails, take them out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before searing them.
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Brown the oxtails
Browning the oxtails is an important step in the cooking process. It gives the meat a nice crust and seals in the juices. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to properly brown oxtails:
First, heat your slow cooker or pot on high heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the cooking vessel. You want the oil to be hot enough so that when you place the oxtails in, they sizzle immediately. This is the perfect temperature for browning meat. Place the oxtails in the hot oil and let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes. You should hear a steady sizzle while they cook.
After a nice crust has formed on one side, use tongs to carefully flip the oxtails and repeat the process on the other side. Continue this process until all sides of the oxtails have a nice, golden-brown crust. This should take around 10-12 minutes total. If you are using a slow cooker without a browning setting, you can use a heavy pot on your stove to achieve the same result.
Once the oxtails are browned, transfer them to a plate and set them aside. If you used a pot, you can now transfer the oxtails and the wine mixture to your slow cooker. If you used a slow cooker to brown the meat, simply proceed to the next step in your recipe, usually adding aromatics and liquid to the cooker.
Browning the oxtails is an optional step, but it adds a lot of flavour to the dish and helps to create a rich gravy. It is worth taking the time to do it properly, as it will enhance the overall taste of your meal.
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Simmer in broth or gravy
Braising oxtails in broth or gravy for several hours is a great way to cook oxtails in a crock pot. This method allows all the fat to melt away, bringing out the cartilage and bone marrow flavour from the oxtail bones.
To start, you can season and marinate the oxtails with the marinade. It is recommended to let the oxtails sit for at least 3-4 hours or even overnight for more flavourful meat. Before searing the oxtails, let them sit at room temperature.
For the next step, heat oil in a pan or the crock pot and brown the oxtails on all sides. Transfer the browned oxtails to a plate. In the same pot, add onions and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, then season with oregano and fresh thyme. You can also add carrots and celery, dicing them finely and sautéing them with the onion and garlic for extra depth.
Now, add the tomato paste and wine, stirring well and letting the mixture simmer until the wine reduces by half. Return the oxtails to the crock pot, adding the homemade broth or beef stock, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
You can also add a scotch bonnet pepper or any other type of pepper such as jalapeño, Fresno, or habanero for extra flavour and spiciness. If you want a thicker gravy, you can add cornstarch to water and mix it well before pouring it into the sauce. As the gravy cooks, it will thicken.
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Add herbs and spices
Oxtail is a versatile dish that can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for herbs and spices to add when cooking oxtail in a crockpot:
Herbs
- Bay leaves
- Thyme (fresh or dried)
- Oregano (fresh or dried)
- Rosemary (fresh or dried)
- Parsley
Spices
- Paprika (regular or smoked)
- Allspice
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Curry powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
Other flavour enhancers
In addition to herbs and spices, there are several other ingredients that can be added to enhance the flavour of the dish:
- Red wine
- Beef broth
- Onion
- Garlic
- Scotch bonnet pepper
- Tomato paste
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Serve with rice or potatoes
Oxtails can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. They can be cooked with a variety of herbs and spices, including thyme, rosemary, garlic, paprika, onion powder, and brown sugar. They can also be cooked in a wine sauce or with beef broth or stock.
When serving oxtails, rice or potatoes are a great option. For rice, you can go for dirty rice, white rice, or even cauliflower rice for a Whole30 option. If you prefer potatoes, mashed potatoes are a good choice, or you can opt for baked sweet potatoes. You can also serve them with polenta, egg noodles, or sweet corn risotto.
If you're looking for a complete Southern experience, consider serving your oxtails with a side of collard greens or green beans, and finish the meal with cornbread and a slice of sweet potato pie or peach cobbler for dessert.
- Season the oxtails with your choice of herbs and spices. You can also marinate them for a few hours or overnight for extra flavour.
- Heat oil in the crock pot or slow cooker and brown the oxtails on all sides. Transfer them to a plate temporarily.
- In the same pot, add onions and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant. You can also add other vegetables like celery, carrots, or peppers for extra depth of flavour.
- Add tomato paste and wine (red or dry red like Merlot, Cabernet, or Pinot Noir), stirring well and letting it simmer until the wine reduces by half.
- Return the browned oxtails to the crock pot or slow cooker. Pour in beef broth or stock and add herbs like bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 5-6 hours, or until the meat is tender.
- Serve the oxtails with your choice of rice or potatoes, along with your favourite sides. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, oxtail can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker.
Oxtail can be cooked in a crock pot for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
Oxtail can be cooked in a crock pot with ingredients like beef broth, brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, butter, flour, onions, wine, tomato paste, and herbs.
Crock pot oxtail can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, grits, polenta, egg noodles, sweet corn risotto, or green beans and potatoes.
To thicken the gravy when cooking oxtail in a crock pot, add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water and stir well.
