Oxtail is the culinary name for the tail of cattle. It once meant the tail of an ox or steer (a castrated male). Before it is cut up, the average tail weighs anywhere from two to four pounds. It is skinned and cut into short lengths which are better for cooking.

Where is the oxtail on a cow?

Oxtail is the tail of a cow. In olden days, it came from the tail of an ox, but now it comes from the tail of a cow of either sex. The tail is skinned and cut into sections; each section has a tailbone with some marrow in the center, and a bony portion of meat surrounding the tail.

Why are oxtails so expensive?

Why has oxtail become so expensive? Oxtail can be pricey due to three factors: availability, demand, and preparation. Because it's only a small portion of the cow and has become a widely-loved dish requiring a great deal of cooking time, the price of oxtail has sky-rocketed over the years.