We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Cooking

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Cook Oxtail in the Slow Cooker?

By Carol Luther
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 17,814
Share

Oxtail doesn't actually come from an ox — this cut of beef commonly comes from a cow's tail. The meat has a lot of flavor but requires a slow and low cooking heat. Preparing oxtail in the slow cooker provides the moist heat needed to help tenderize oxtail. Completely cover it with water or a seasoned marinade when cooking the meat, and allow from eight to 10 hours of cooking time. Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker and using a range of seasonings also can add to the dish's overall flavor.

Salt and pepper are not the only seasoning options when preparing oxtail, and cooking the meat in a slow cooker gives it plenty of time to absorb the flavors of your seasonings. Thyme, yellow or brown mustard, chopped onions, and tomato sauce are all popular additions to oxtail dishes. Depending on their location, some cooks also may add chopped celery, carrots, potatoes, and green peppers.

When you cook oxtail in the slow cooker, you should use the lowest temperature heat setting. Browning the meat before placing it in the slow cooker improves its taste and appearance. This step is similar to preparing meat for braising. You should heat olive oil in a skillet on your stove and brown both cut surfaces of the oxtail. If the cuts are thick, then the meat can be turned on its edge to brown the sides.

For best cooking results, slow cookers should be at least half-full but not more than two-thirds full. Filling them to the brim increases the cooking time and causes uneven cooking. The amount of liquid you add also affects the cooking time. It should be sufficient to completely cover the meat without being excessive. Any recipe designed for cooking oxtail in an oven on low heat can be adapted for the slow cooker.

The amount of oxtail being cooked will help determine cooking time. A recipe that requires from two to three hours in the oven will take at least eight hours in the slow cooker on low. Cooking in the slow cooker on a high-heat setting will only take from four to six hours, but high heat is not recommended for this dish. The best way to speed the cooking process in a slow cooker is to start your dish and resist the temptation to lift the lid for a peek inside. Each time you open the lid, you increase the cooking time by 15 to 20 minutes.

One advantage of preparing oxtail in the slow cooker is that it lets you also creates savory gravy using all the meat juice. About an hour before the end of the cooking time, you can mix water with cornstarch or plain white flour, open the lid and add the mixture to the cooking pot. A quick stir of the slow cooker's contents will mix and incorporate the thickener with the juices and create a flavorful gravy by the time cooking is done.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Soulfox — On Jan 30, 2015

One of the great things about a slow cooker is that they don't burn what is in them unless all of the water in the cooker evaporates and a good lid should prevent that.

That is handy for cooking things like ox tail that require several hours to tenderize. Need to cook something for eight hours? No problem. Just slap it in the slow cooker before you leave for work. Going to be late for work? Again, no problem. Your meal should be fine.

By Vincenzo — On Jan 29, 2015

The methods for cooking oxtail described in this article could generally apply to just about any cut of meat tossed in a slow cooker. A slow cooker is ideal for taking a tough cut of meat and tenderizing it to the point where it cuts with a fork. Oxtail offers a unique flavor it tenderized well, and the slow cooker is great for that.

Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/how-do-i-cook-oxtail-in-the-slow-cooker.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.