Crockpot Oxtail Barley Soup is a rich, hearty, flavorful way to fill up on a cold winter day while enjoying the health benefits of bone broth.
Crockpot Oxtail Barley Soup
Equipment
- meal-sized crockpot
- herb diffuser
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef oxtails
- 1 carrot sliced
- 1 parsnip sliced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 cup whole, uncooked barley
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 Tbs whole allspice
- 2 Tbs olive oil
Instructions
- Drizzle the olive oil into a medium skillet and brown the oxtails.
- Place the whole allspice and whole star anise into an herb diffuser.
- Place the browned oxtails, sliced carrot and parsnip, barley, onion, and beef broth into the crockpot.
- Add the herb diffuser containing the spices.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Notes
Food history interests me. Oxtail soup is a fairly recent addition to the American food lexicon. I’m surprised to learn what I thought is an old British soup is also fairly new to the Britons as well. Oxtail soup only goes back to the late 17th century in Spitalfields in London where it was prepared by French Huguenot and Flemish immigrants. Since there are also Korean, Indonesian, and Chinese versions of this soup, I think it’s been around a long time. Just not in European culture. But it’s here now, and I’m so glad.
The Health Benefits of Crockpot Oxtail Barley Soup
Oxtail soup’s main ingredient and namesake is the tail of cattle. The tail comes from all kinds of cattle, not just the ox. So it’s a bit of nomenclature.
What I like about slow cooker oxtail soup is that it provides not only a hearty, rich soup, it provides the health benefits of bone broth. Oxtail contains a lot of bone. Wellness Mama Katie Wells (my favorite health blogger) says slow cooking oxtail with an acid (provided in this recipe by tomatoes) releases the minerals, collagen, and amino acids. These elements are wonderful for your own bones, skin, hair, nails, and joints. Bone broth can heal your digestive system. It enhances the absorption of nutrients. The amino acids in bone broth help the body make collagen for maintaining joints, proper kidney function, and more.
This is good stuff!
The Secret Ingredients: Whole Allspice and Whole Star Anise
Whole allspice is my go-to seasoning for homemade beef stew. It adds a warm, savory hint of spice that complements beef perfectly. Recently, I ordered some whole star anise for experimenting with creating a relaxing before-bed hot drink other than chamomile tea or hot chocolate. Whole star anise is also a beautiful food styling prop for food photography.
Anise is a spice I’ve avoided for a long time because anise is what flavors black licorice. I can’t even stand the smell of black licorice.
On a cruise 10 years ago I enjoyed a salad made with fennel. Fennel has a mild anise flavor and it is incredible. So my problem with anise isn’t the flavor, it’s the flavor served too strong such as in black licorice. Opening the package of whole star anise is a joy in fragrance. Give it a try. It’s a spice beautiful to look at and it has a wonderful fragrance.
Whole star anise adds a delightful note to Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup.
I hope you enjoy this unique soup. It’s a rather special dish that’s fun to serve and rather appealing to the eye.
Enjoy it with Buttermilk Biscuits or Feather-light Dinner Rolls!
