Oxtail

About Oxtail

Oxtail is offered by Laurel Highlands Farms as part of our Pennsylvania farm-direct beef program. BEEF · per lb

Oxtail is the cross-cut tail of the animal, sold as individual segments that are heavily marbled with collagen and connective tissue around a central bone. Slow braising for several hours turns that connective tissue into a rich, gelatin-heavy sauce, which is why oxtail is prized for soups, stews and braises where the cooking liquid becomes as important as the meat itself.

Plan on roughly three-quarters of a pound of oxtail per person to account for the bone. Browning the pieces well before braising builds extra depth in the finished sauce, and the dish often tastes even better the next day.

Buying directly from a farm is easier when product identity, price and use are clear. Consider how many people you are feeding, the cooking methods you use most often and how the item will fit into your meal planning. Our shop also includes related cuts, primals and specialty boxes so you can compare options without losing the connection to the farm.

Availability follows the realities of a working livestock farm. Add currently available products to your cart and confirm pickup or other fulfillment details during checkout or by contacting the farm. For more help choosing and cooking cuts, visit our beef and lamb guides.

Good to know

Fresh beef keeps best refrigerated at 40°F or below and is at its peak within a few days of thawing; if you will not cook it right away, freeze it in its original vacuum packaging. Thaw frozen cuts slowly in the refrigerator on a tray — roughly a day for every few pounds — rather than on the counter, and pat the surface dry before searing so it browns instead of steaming.

Pasture-raised beef is leaner than grocery-store beef, so it cooks a little faster than you may expect. Pull steaks and roasts a few degrees below your target temperature and let them rest before slicing; tougher, well-worked cuts reward low heat, moisture and time.

Browse more: Beef Cuts · the full farm shop · beef and lamb guides · beef near Pittsburgh · Pennsylvania beef delivery. Questions about Oxtail? Call the farm at (412) 559-2320.