Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

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Oxtails are blessed with flavor, but the taste is on another level when it is made using a fall off the bone oxtail recipe. Now, if you are looking to make your oxtails fall off the bone, then look no further because this smothered oxtail slow-cooked recipe got you covered!

Fall Off The Bone Oxtail And Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

Growing up in East Texas, I never had smothered oxtail as a child.

I honestly never had oxtail until I was an adult, living in Dallas. Oxtails were one of the first things I tried, just to see what all the hype was about.

It is safe to say that I enjoyed those oxtails, however, my expectations may have been a little too high.

As somebody who likes to cook, I decided to cook the oxtail myself using a slow-cooked recipe approach.

Not to toot my own horn, but that oxtail slow-cooked in a broth that the oxtail created was godlike.

So godlike that I prayed while I was eating my food. Of course, I prayed beforehand as always, but we are not talking about religion, we are talking about some fall off the bone oxtail.

Although delicious, this recipe had its bumps and bruises during the creation process. My first time cooking oxtail was not a pleasurable experience.

All I’ll say is that oxtail was tougher than rhino skin without lotion.

I felt like I was eating seasoned leather. Do not get me wrong, the oxtail was good taste-wise, but that is meaningless if I can barely eat it.

At that point, I realized that oxtails are best as a slow-cooked recipe.

So, I cooked the oxtail at a low temperature for as long as I could. My smothered oxtail was so much better, but now the oxtail is a bit on the stringy side and I do not want that.

The third time is a charm, right? Sometimes it is not, but thankfully, this was not one of those times.

My fall off the bone oxtail was perfect, and now here I am sharing my discovery with you all.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Smothered Oxtail?

The time it takes to cook oxtail will differ depending on the person who is cooking the oxtail.

Usually, it takes 1-2 hours to cook, however, we are trying to make fall off the bone oxtail so this slow-cooked recipe will take 3-4 hours to cook.

In my experience, eating oxtail, 1-2 hours is not enough time for my desire. The smothered oxtail is always too tough to really enjoy them, but 3-4 hours is perfect.

On the contrary, be careful not to cook the oxtail slow-cooked recipe for too long because the oxtail will become stringy.

Why Are Oxtails So Expensive?

I do not know if I said this already, but oxtails are amazing! Although you cannot eat everybody’s oxtail, this slow-cooked recipe is to die for!

Even so, when you analyze the different cuts of meats, oxtails would be looked upon as a secondary cut of meat.

In fact, at one point oxtails were deemed undesirable, but during hardship, all body parts are fair game to eat.

This was included for pigs as well.

Nowadays, oxtails are considered a trendy meal to eat by people from all walks of life.

From an economic perspective, when the demand goes up, so does the price. Also, oxtail slow-cooked is a time-consuming process, so outside of high demands, you are also paying for the time it takes to cook the oxtail.

What Sides Go With Smothered Oxtails?

Smothered oxtails with some peas and cabbages are phenomenal. Then, throw in some plantains!

You know what, let me stop typing for a second to admire this fall-off-the-bone oxtail recipe and all the sides that go with it!

For the uncultured people who may not be interested in those sides, do not even worry.

Smothered oxtails are so fantastic that any side will go good with them, so do not be ashamed when people start clowning you for eating oxtails with french fries.

Do You Have To Brown Oxtails Before Cooking?

Browning is a part of some oxtail slow-cooked recipes out there, however, that step is not necessary to make some incredible smothered oxtails.

In fact, this fall-off-the-bone oxtail recipe does not utilize a browning process.

Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe 2 of 2

Why Are My Oxtails Tough?

We all want to eat smothered oxtails from a fall-off-the-bone oxtail recipe.

Unfortunately, not all oxtails are created equal. Part of this is that an oxtail slow-cooked recipe was not used, and now your oxtail is rough and tough.

The solution to this is to slow cook the oxtails until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

That is why this is a fall-off-the-bone oxtail recipe.

What Animal Do Oxtails Come From?

Oxtail does not come from a pig, it does not come from a chicken, it does not even come from a fish.

Can you guess what that animal is? If you guessed the answer to be cattle, then YOU ARE CORRECT!!!

Is Oxtail Meat?

Oxtail is most definitely meat, so if you are vegan, then this is not going to be your thing. Additionally, do not think that this cut of beef is not full of meat.

Who Eats Smothered Oxtail?

People who eat oxtail are men and women of culture. So if you do not eat oxtails, then be gone you uncultured swine!

I am just playing. I do not judge people who do not eat oxtail, but if it has been a while since you tried oxtail, then give it another try with this recipe. You will not regret it!

Making The Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

Serving Size: 4

  • Fall Off The Bone Oxtail Recipe
    • 2 Lbs Of Oxtails
    • 1/2 Tsp Of Black Pepper
    • 1 Tsp Of Salt
    • 1/2 Tsp Of Garlic Powder
    • 1 Tsp Of Paprika
    • 1/2 Tsp Of Onion Powder
    • 1 Tsp Of Red Crush Pepper Flakes
    • 2 Tsp Of Worcestershire
    • 1 Tbsp Of Liquid Smoke
    • 3 Bay Leaves
    • 14 Cups Of Water
  • Equipment
    • Pot
    • Lid
    • Mixing Spoon
    • Stove Top

Starting The Fall Off The Bone, Oxtail Recipe

Put the oxtails, 8 cups of water, and the rest of the ingredients into the pot.

Depending on how big your pot is, you may be able to use all 14 cups of water initially. Cook on medium heat for 2 hours with the lid on the pot. Stir frequently.

For Those With Smaller Pots

If you haven’t already, after two hours, add the other 6 cups of water.

The reason is that the oxtail will create a gravy, and most of the liquid will be cooked out of the pot.

Unfortunately, the oxtail will still be tough, but if you continue to cook the oxtail without adding the water, then the gravy will end up burning, which will ruin the recipe.

This is why it would be nice to put all 14 cups of water in the pot at once, but realistically speaking, some pots will spill over with 14 cups of water and 2 lbs of oxtails.

So, use what you have and make the best of it.

Continue Cooking The Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

After adding the rest of the water, cook the oxtail for another hour.

During this hour, you will stir the beef frequently. We are three hours in, but the oxtail is not done yet.

For the next 20-40 minutes, you will cook the oxtail without the lid, cooking the liquid out until the oxtail gravy has a thick consistency.

The cooking time will depend on the desired amount of thickness you want the gravy to have.

It is also vitally important to closely monitor the food. Constantly stir the oxtail so that the gravy does not burn.

The Wait Is Worth It!

Cooking some smothered oxtails is a long process, but the wait is worth it!

Slow-Cooked Oxtail Recipe 2 of 5

Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

Oxtails are blessed with flavor, but the taste is on another level when it is made using a fall off the bone oxtail recipe. Now, if you are looking to make your oxtails fall off the bone, then look no further because this smothered oxtail slow-cooked recipe got you covered!
4.77 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Caribbean
Servings 4
Calories 569 kcal

Supplies and Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Lbs Oxtail
  • 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 Tsp Red Crush Pepper Flakes
  • 2 Tsp Worcestershire
  • 1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
  • 3 Whole Bay Leaves
  • 14 Cups water

Instructions
 

Starting The Fall Off The Bone Oxtail Recipe

  • Put the oxtails, 8 cups of water, and the rest of the ingredients into the pot. Depending on how big your pot is, you may be able to use all 14 cups of water initially.
  • Cook on medium heat for 2 hours with the lid on the pot. Stir frequently.

For Those With Smaller Pots

  • If you haven't already, after two hours, add the other 6 cups of water. The reason is that the oxtail will create a gravy, and most of the liquid will be cooked out of the pot. Unfortunately, the oxtail will still be tough, but if you continue to cook the oxtail without adding the water, then the gravy will end up burning, which will ruin the recipe.
  • This is why it would be nice to put all 14 cups of water in the pot at once, but realistically speaking, some pots will spill over with 14 cups of water and 2 lbs of oxtails. So, use what you have and make the best of it.

Continue Cooking The Smothered Oxtail Slow-Cooked Recipe

  • After adding the rest of the water, cook the oxtail for another hour. During this hour, you will stir the beef frequently. We are three hours in, but the oxtail is not done yet.
  • For the next 20-40 minutes, you will cook the oxtail without the lid, cooking the liquid out until the oxtail gravy has a thick consistency.
  • The cooking time will depend on the desired amount of thickness you want the gravy to have. It is also vitally important to closely monitor the food. Constantly stir the oxtail so that the gravy does not burn.

Nutrition

Calories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 70gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 249mgSodium: 1109mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 237IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 10mg
Keyword fall off the bone oxtail, oxtail slow-cooked, oxtail slow-cooked recipe, slow-cooked, Smothered Oxtail
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Jeremy
The next-door foodie with a blog! Read more about me on the about page.

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