Easy Oxtail Recipe in Pot

Easy oxtail recipe with vegetables on the stove is here. How to cook oxtails in Dutch Oven to fork tender that pulls off the bone easily. A delicious beef healthy meal high in protein and full of flavor.

Should you boil oxtail before cooking?

Yes, typically you will want to boil in water or a sauce. Even with Oxtails on the Stove you use broth. There is a little prep work at the beginning to sear and brown the outsides in order to get those seasonings really baked on and lock in that moisture but from there it cooks on it’s own. A set it and forget it meal you can add potatoes, carrots and onions into the mix too.

If you are on the go a lot and don’t have time to pay attention to it along the way I would opt for our Slow Cooker Oxtail directions and make the veggies on the side when you are home. A unique dish with bold flavors that will likely become your new favorite meal. Even my kids will admit this is delicious!!

How long does it take for oxtails to get tender?

About 3 hours. If you really want to load up on the vegetables I would suggest following our Oxtail Boil Recipe. I do add some here but that one focuses on more of a one pot meal. I would follow the directions as is below and then change it up every time you make it to see which combination are your favorites.

What tenderizes oxtail?

Soy sauce works well. You could easily make this a bit spicy like our Oxtail Curry just with changing up the herbs and spices added on to the meat itself and in the broth. Since it boils for quite some time you can really intensify all the flavors easily with what you add into the sauce itself. We used;

• 1 lb oxtails
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 2 sprigs thyme
• Bay leaves
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 onion
• 32-48 oz beef broth or water
• If you want to add vegetables I suggest;
• 3 carrots peeled, cut into chunks
• 1 bell pepper cut into chunks
• 2 sweet potatoes peeled, cut into chunks

You could make this same dish as Oxtails in the Oven instead if you wanted to. You just follow the same directions here but put the lid on your cast iron pan inside when preheated at 300 for about 3 hours or until fork tender.

Oxtail with Potatoes

You can find this meat at the grocery store, typically in the freezer section where you would defrost them first. Frozen oxtail can be used too but wouldn’t be able to be seared first. If you don’t see them at all I would ask your butcher. He may have some in the back or can put in an order for you.

I guess you could consider this sort of an oxtail stew of sorts. You can enjoy with veggies or without in a cooking liquid where it could be enjoyed as a soup instead.

How to Cook Oxtail in a Dutch Oven

• Pour olive oil into dutch oven and fry the oxtails until browned on both sides over medium high heat.
• Finely chop the onion and 1 carrot. Remove the oxtails and fry the vegetables for 2-3 minutes.
• Put the oxtails back into the pot.
• Add water or broth so that the liquid covers the meat so they are submerged. Add thyme, bay leaf, garlic, black pepper and salt.
• Slow cook covered over heat at medium strength or so for 3 hours.
• If you want to add vegetables into the pot together:
  • Prep veggies by cutting into bite size pieces, could add 1-2 regular potatoes as well.
  • Add in 30 minutes before meat is done, so after 2.5 hrs of boiling.
  • Cover again and continue cooking until veggies are tender.
• The meat should fall off the bone easily at this point.
• Strain the broth through a sieve and add the oxtails back into the pot.

If you want to cook vegetables separately so they are crispy; Put coarsely chopped peppers, sweet potatoes and 2 carrots on a baking sheet. Cook in oven preheated to 400 F for about 10-15 minutes. Or this is How Long to Bake Brussel Sprouts at 450 if you would rather have those veggies with it.

Oxtail Soup with Vegetables

We do love a one pot meal but some prefer the texture when made separate. I have provided instructions for either way in the printable recipe card below for you. Another idea is to add a grain like we did with our Oxtails and Rice dish.

Another popular duo is the meat, pulled off of the bone when done and tossed in with some butter beans!! I mean legumes make a great side that adds to the hearty filling nature of any meal really right? With a splash of soy sauce you can bring an Asian flare to that dish that my kiddos love.

How to Cook Oxtail with Veggies

This and our Braised Oxtail Recipe pair veggies with the meat in a rich broth to serve right out of the pot, nothing else needed.