Ox Tails, Slow Cooker

also called oxtails · ox tail · braised oxtails · smothered oxtails · oxtail and gravy · slow cooker oxtails · crockpot oxtails

Also written for Instant Pot (2 to wash), the plain way (2 to wash).

The table

Braise until the meat slips off the bone without help. Two cups of stock where the oven takes five
4 lb(1.8 kg; cut in sections)beef oxtailsseason, both sidesbrown 12 min in a skillet, in batchesbraise on low, 9 hrskim, then slake the starch in on high
1 Tbskosher salt
2 tspblack pepper
2 Tbsvegetable oil
2 large(sliced)yellow onions
6 cloves(smashed)garlic
2(cut in chunks)carrots
2 cups(475 mL)beef stock
1/2 cup(120 mL)dry red wine
2bay leaves
1 tspdried thyme
1 Tbs(8 g; slaked in 2 Tbs cold water)cornstarch
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.15 things to get out.

Pans and tools

Before anything else

2season, both sides

3brown 12 min in a skillet, in batches

goes in with what step 2 made

4braise on low, 9 hr

goes in with what step 3 made

5skim, then slake the starch in on high

goes in with what step 4 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 9 hr 32 min1 of 4 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 32 min
If you get it wrong
Forgiving — the gravy stays thin all day until you take the lid off and thicken it on purpose; the pot will not do it for you
What you'll wash
Three things — the slow cooker crock, the skillet, a cup to slake the cornstarch in
Does it keep
4 days — the tails set the sauce to a jelly by themselves, and the meat is better on the second day

  1. season, both sides

    not timedfrom the start

  2. brown 12 min in a skillet, in batches

    12 minneeds youfrom the start

  3. braise on low, 9 hr

    9 hrwalk away12 min in

  4. skim, then slake the starch in on high

    20 minneeds you(we think)9 hr 12 min in

You'll need skillet · slow cooker

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Ox Tails, Slow Cooker
>> category: Stews & Braises
>> tags: beef, braise, southern, gravy, slow cooker, crock pot
>> counters: The Slow Cooker
>> dish: oxtails
>> kit: Slow Cooker
>> aka: oxtails, ox tail, braised oxtails, smothered oxtails, oxtail and gravy, slow cooker oxtails, crockpot oxtails
>> pairs-with: cheese-grits, collard-greens, butter-beans, hoppin-john
>> servings: 6
>> time: 9 hr 40 min
>> slack: forgiving — the gravy stays thin all day until you take the lid off and thicken it on purpose; the pot will not do it for you
>> washing-up: the slow cooker crock, the skillet, a cup to slake the cornstarch in
>> capacity: 3 — the skillet, brown
>> keeps: 4 days — the tails set the sauce to a jelly by themselves, and the meat is better on the second day

Braise until the meat slips off the bone without help. Two cups of stock where the oven takes five.

>> step: season, both sides
Season @beef oxtails{4%lb}(1.8 kg; cut in sections) with @kosher salt{1%Tbs}, @black pepper{2%tsp}.

>> step: brown 12 min in a skillet, in batches
Brown @&(~1)seasoned oxtails{} in @vegetable oil{2%Tbs} in a #skillet{} for ~brown{12%min}, in two batches.

>> step: braise on low, 9 hr
Slow cook @&(~1)browned oxtails{} with @yellow onions{2%large}(sliced), @garlic{6%cloves}(smashed), @carrots{2}(cut in chunks), @beef stock{2%cup}(475 mL), @dry red wine{1/2%cup}(120 mL), @bay leaves{2}, @dried thyme{1%tsp} in a #slow cooker{} on low for ~slow cook{9%hr}, lid on.

>> step: skim, then slake the starch in on high
Skim @&(~1)braised oxtails{}, then stir in @cornstarch{1%Tbs}(8 g; slaked in 2 Tbs cold water) and hold it on high with the lid off for ~thicken{20%min}.