Ella Walter
Slow-cooked oxtails are a delicious, hearty meal that can be made in a crock pot. This cooking method is perfect for oxtails, which can be a tough cut of meat, as it ensures they come out tender and flavourful. Oxtails are typically cooked in a broth with vegetables and spices, and can be served with rice, potatoes, or your favourite bread. This dish is also compatible with low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 diets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Stew, soup, or smothered oxtails |
| Main ingredients | Oxtails, onion, garlic |
| Other ingredients | Red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, parsley, cumin, carrots, green onions, smoked paprika, bouillon, curry powder, potatoes, beans, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, salt, pepper, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, water |
| Marinade | Green onions, brown sugar, salt, pepper, allspice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce |
| Cooking time | 4-8 hours on high, 7-8 hours or overnight on low |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-5 days, freeze for 3-4 months |
| Serving suggestions | Rice, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, roasted carrots, zoodles, cauliflower rice, Jamaican rice and peas, white rice, bread |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the oxtails before slow cooking
Oxtails are a tough cut of meat, so they benefit from slow cooking to ensure they're tender and flavourful. Here are some steps to prepare oxtails before slow cooking:
Trimming and Marinating:
Start by trimming any excess fat from the oxtails. This step is optional but can help reduce greasiness in the final dish. Next, prepare a marinade. A simple marinade can be made by mixing together green onions, brown sugar, salt, pepper, allspice, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Place the oxtails in a bowl, pour the marinade over them, and use a spoon to coat the meat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat.
Searing the Meat:
Before adding the oxtails to the slow cooker, they should be seared to lock in juices and create a flavourful crust. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the oxtails and sear for 2-4 minutes on each side until evenly browned. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Once seared, set the oxtails aside on a plate.
Building Flavour:
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, and cook your choice of aromatics and spices. Onions, garlic, and thyme are classic choices, but you can also add ingredients like green onions, smoked paprika, allspice, Worcestershire sauce, or even a Scotch bonnet pepper for a spicy kick. Sauté these ingredients for about a minute, stirring frequently.
Deglazing:
To capture all the flavour built up in the pan, deglaze it by adding a liquid such as water, wine, or broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This step will create a flavourful base for your slow cooker liquid.
Now that your oxtails are prepared, you can transfer them along with the deglazing liquid to your slow cooker. Add any additional ingredients and liquids as per your chosen recipe, and set the slow cooker to your desired temperature and time.
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What to add to the crock pot
When slow-cooking oxtails in a crock pot, you can add a variety of ingredients to the pot to enhance the flavour of the dish. Here is a list of ingredients that you can choose to add:
Aromatics
Onions, garlic, and green onions are commonly used aromatics that form the base of the dish. You can sauté them in oil until they are soft and fragrant, creating a flavourful foundation for the rest of the ingredients.
Spices and Herbs
Spices such as cumin, thyme, allspice, and smoked paprika add depth of flavour to the dish. Fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, and bay leaves can also be added for a more subtle herbaceous note. Don't forget to remove the thyme stems and bay leaves before serving.
Liquids
Red wine is a popular choice for deglazing the pot and enhancing the beefy flavours. A dry red wine such as Merlot, Cabernet, or Pinot Noir is recommended. For a wine-free option, you can use extra beef broth or coconut aminos. Tomato paste is also added to provide a sweet and tangy umami element while helping to thicken the sauce.
Meat and Vegetables
Of course, the star ingredient is the oxtails themselves. You can brown the oxtails in a pan before transferring them to the crock pot, or you can add them directly to the pot and coat them with the spices and herbs. Carrots, beans, and potatoes are commonly added to the crock pot as well.
Extras
Some recipes call for additional ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and scotch bonnet peppers for a spicy kick. These ingredients can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.
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How long to cook oxtails in the crock pot
The cooking time for oxtails in a crock pot depends on the power setting you use. If you want to cook them on Low, leave them in the crock pot for 7 to 8 hours or until they reach your desired tenderness. On High, this process will take 3 to 4 hours.
Some recipes recommend browning the oxtails in a pan before adding them to the crock pot, which takes around 2 to 4 minutes on each side. You can also add vegetables to the crock pot, which should be cooked for 3 to 5 minutes or until soft.
If you want to cook oxtails in a pressure cooker, this will take 40 to 50 minutes on high pressure.
One recipe recommends marinating the oxtails overnight before cooking them in the crock pot.
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What to serve with slow-cooked oxtails
Slow-cooked oxtails are a delicious and hearty meal, and there are several sides that can be served with them. Here are some ideas:
Creamy Polenta
Polenta is a great option to serve with oxtails, especially if it's made with a combination of water and milk for an extra creamy texture. This can be a nice alternative to the more common mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with oxtails. They can be made in a variety of ways, such as loaded with cheese, garlic, or herbs, and provide a comforting and filling accompaniment to the rich oxtail dish.
Rice
Rice is a versatile side dish that can be served in a variety of ways to complement the oxtails. It can be plain steamed rice, baked or fried rice with vegetables, or even a rice pilaf. Serving rice with the oxtails provides a neutral base to balance the rich flavours of the main dish.
Bread
A baguette or any crusty bread can be a great side to soak up the delicious gravy or sauce from the oxtails. It can also be used to make sandwiches with the oxtail meat for a more casual dining experience.
Vegetables
Roasted or steamed vegetables can add a healthy and colourful side to the meal. Some options include roasted carrots, fried cabbage, green beans, or a fresh salad. These provide a nice contrast in texture and taste to the slow-cooked oxtails.
Soul Food Sides
For a more Southern or soul food approach, consider serving the oxtails with skillet cornbread and fried cabbage, as suggested by a soul food blogger. This combination will surely satisfy those craving a hearty and flavourful meal.
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How to store leftover oxtails
Oxtails are a delicious meal, and they taste even better the next day as the flavours have had a chance to develop. Here is a guide on how to store leftover oxtails to enjoy another day:
Firstly, allow the oxtails to cool completely. It is important not to store hot food in a fridge or freezer as it can raise the temperature, causing other foods to spoil and promoting bacterial growth. Once the oxtails are cool, store them in an airtight container. It is best to use a shallow container so that the leftovers cool quickly and evenly. Keep the container in the fridge and enjoy your oxtails within 3 to 5 days.
If you want to freeze your leftover oxtails, use a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container with the date and ensure you consume the oxtails within 3 to 4 months. To serve, thaw the oxtails overnight in the refrigerator, or put them in your slow cooker on low for a couple of hours.
Leftover oxtails are a great way to enjoy a quick and tasty meal another day. With proper storage, you can ensure your leftovers remain safe and delicious.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook oxtails for 3 to 4 hours on high heat or 6 to 8 hours on low heat.
The ingredients needed are oxtails, garlic, cumin, thyme, salt, pepper, carrots, onion, crushed tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar. You can also add beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, and herbs such as bay leaves, oregano, and fresh thyme.
It is recommended to season and marinate the oxtails for at least 3-4 hours or overnight before searing them in a pan until browned on all sides.
