Name: Oxtail Soup in Slow Cooker
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 10 min
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 1 - 1 1/2 lbs oxtails (cut as uniformly as possible. About 1 inch thick slices); Green seasoning (or your preferred meat seasoning); 2 tablespoons coconut oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoon chopped thyme; 2 cups stock; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon all purpose seasoning; 2 cups water (or more); 1 bouillon cube; Salt to taste; 1/4 cup chopped celery; 1 cup carrot disks; 1 cup sweet potato chunks; 1 green onion chopped; 1 scotch bonnet; 1 tablespoon hot pepper (optional); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon chopped pimento peppers; 4 - 5 pimento peppers; 1 tablespoon flour

This slow cooker oxtail soup is the ultimate blending of flavors. A hearty combination of meat and veggies, creating the end result of a delicious soup that is just what your family would need for dinner.

Pot of finished oxtail soup made in the slow cooker served in a wide dutch pot.

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There’s nothing quite like a warm, flavorful bowl of oxtail soup, especially when it's been slow-cooked to perfection. The tender, fall-off-the-bone meat, infused with deep, rich Caribbean spices, creates a comforting dish that's both hearty and satisfying.

Whether you're craving something cozy on a chilly evening or looking to enjoy a traditional Caribbean meal, this slow-cooker oxtail soup is a must-try.

Cooking oxtail low and slow allows the flavors to develop beautifully, making every bite a treat. Whether you’re new to cooking oxtail or a longtime fan, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of bold spices, aromatics, and slow-simmered goodness.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Effortless Slow Cooking: Let your slow cooker do all the work while the flavors meld together.
Deep, Rich Flavor: Oxtail creates an incredibly flavorful broth that’s unmatched.
Nutritious & Hearty: Packed with protein, collagen, and warming spices.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Tastes even better the next day!

Key Ingredients and Their Importance

Ingredients to be used for the soup on a white plate

Oxtail:

This gelatin-rich cut of meat adds incredible depth of flavor as it slowly cooks down, releasing collagen for a silky broth.

Aromatics: Onion, Garlic, and Thyme

These are essential for building the soup’s bold base flavor.

Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Optional)

Adds a touch of Caribbean heat—use whole for a mild kick or chopped for extra spice.

Root Vegetables: Carrots and Potatoes

These add natural sweetness and make the soup heartier.

Tomato Paste & Worcestershire Sauce

Enhance the umami richness of the broth, giving it a deep and slightly tangy complexity.

Allspice & Bay Leaf

Traditional Caribbean seasonings that bring warmth and depth to the soup.

How to Make Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup

Step 1: Season the Oxtail

Before cooking, generously coat the oxtail with green seasoning, ensuring each piece is well-marinated. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor) to allow the spices to penetrate the meat.

Seasoned oxtails to be used to make soup.

Step 2: Brown the Oxtail

For the best flavor, sear the oxtail pieces in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This locks in richness and adds a deeper taste to the soup.

Oxtail being braised in the pot before adding it to soup.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Remove the oxtail then in the same pan, cook onions, garlic, and thyme until fragrant, then deglaze with Worcestershire sauce.

Oxtail and aromatic being mixed up and braised in the pan.

Step 3: Slow Cook Everything

Transfer the browned oxtail back to the slow cooker with the aromatics. Add in your root vegetables, spices, and enough broth or water to cover. Let it cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.

Oxtail with broth and vegetables about to be made into oxtail soup.

Step 4: Skim & Serve

Before serving, remove any excess fat from the broth. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy this comforting bowl of slow-cooked goodness!

Expert Tips for the Best Oxtail Soup

For a thicker broth, mash some of the potatoes into the soup before serving.
For extra depth, add a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking.
Make it ahead! Oxtail soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop further.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.

Serving of a bowl of oxtail soup on a white background.

More Comforting Caribbean Recipes

This slow cooker oxtail soup is everything you need in a comforting meal—rich, savory, and packed with Caribbean soul. Let your slow cooker do the magic, and enjoy every spoonful!

If you love this recipe, be sure to share it with friends and family or save it for your next cozy meal. Don't forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you! Let your slow cooker do the magic, and enjoy every spoonful!

This Bago Girl

Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup: Rich, Hearty, and Flavorful Comfort Food

Why You'll Love This Recipe