Want to impress your guests with an unforgettable meal? Make two batches of this easy Crockpot Oxtail Stew and you’ll definitely impress your guests! I realized I didn’t include a side of starchy carbs to soak up the gravy, but nobody complained—ha, ha! Some quinoa would go well with the Crockpot Oxtail Stew. The stir-fried Chinese broccoli paired perfectly. I’ve included the Appetizer and Dessert Ideas for a well rounded 3-course dinner party, enjoy.
Do share in comments if you’ve cooked Crockpot Oxtail Stew or if you’d try now you know how!
This Crockpot Oxtail Stew is a classic, and it turns out perfect every time. It’s slow-cooked in a crockpot for about 8 hours, ensuring tender, flavorful meat.
As you know, I don’t do recipes. Instead, I provide tips and techniques to create mouthwatering dishes.
Appetizer Idea
For a delicious appetizer, stir-fry eggplant using the glazing technique. Add red bell pepper, cilantro and scallions for color and garnish. This dish was very well received. Use 6″ round plate for best presentation. I just ordered these lovely plates myself.
Tips for Making Best Crockpot Oxtail Stew
Follow these tips, and you’ll succeed in making the BEST CROCKPOT OXTAIL STEW for your dinner party…
1. The Best Deal
– Purchase oxtails from Costco. They come in two pouches, and two lots of two pouches are perfect for serving 7 people.
2. Essential Vegetables per batch, you’ll need:
– 3 sticks of celery
– 1 big onion
– 1 red bell pepper
– 1 big carrot
– 3 tomatoes
– 4-6 cloves of garlic
– A big thumb-sized piece of ginger
3. Tomatoes are a Must
– Tomatoes add a beautiful red color and sweetness to the stew. Most people use tomato paste, but I find fresh tomatoes work perfectly.
4. Layering the Ingredients
– Start by placing the oxtail at the bottom of the crockpot, then add all the vegetables on top.
5. Seasoning for Flavor
– Use tamari instead of salt, unless you prefer Celtic sea salt.
– Add any red wine you have lying around or medium drinking sherry
– Season with black pepper to taste.
6. The Right Stock
– Use Costco Kirkland Chicken Stock. Pour enough to cover the oxtails but not to the top, as the vegetables will release their juices.
7. Slow and Steady
– Set the crockpot to LOW and leave it alone. I start it right before going to bed and set an alarm for 8 hours to check for tenderness. I only use a manual crockpot not an Instapot for best results.
8. Checking for Doneness
– When your fork can pierce the meat easily, it’s done.
9. Cooking in Batches
– I cook the first batch the night before the dinner party. The next morning, I transfer to a stainless steel pot and refrigerate. Then the second batch is ready for the crockpot.
10. Perfect Side Dish
– If you can’t get Chinese broccoli, Western broccoli works just as well. Using the glazing technique results in perfect tenderness yet still crunchy.
Dessert & Drink Ideas
I always ask friends to bring whatever they like to drink to relieve me of figuring that out. Also, I don’t make dessert and like to serve fresh fruit. My guests brought wines and prosecco and also a lovely bundt cake, it teamed up with my fruits really well.
A Wok Star means creating yummy dishes with what you have, no recipes or measuring required. When you focus on Flavors, Textures, Colors, it’s EASY!
Visit Cook Like a Wok Star and you’ll understand why I do what I do.