Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (2024)

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This delicious and easy crockpot corned beef brisket recipe with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes will change your game plan for an easy dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (or any day!).

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What is Corned Beef?

Corned beef is a beef brisket that has been brined (marinated in salt and water with pickling spices). It is usually available in grocery stores around St. Patrick's Day.

Beef brisket is a tough piece of meat that breaks down into tender goodness with low and slow cooking - also known as braising. A crock pot is perfect for cooking corned beef.

Braised means that you cook ingredients for a long time at a low heat, whether that's in a crockpot / slow cooker, instant-pot, on the stove or in the oven.

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (2)

How Do You Cook Corned Beef and Cabbage In The Crockpot?

It generally takes around 7-9 hours on low to cook corned beef brisket in a crockpot.

  • Add the onion, potatoes, and carrots into a large crockpot (at least 6 quarts)
  • Nestle in the corned beef with the fat side up with pickling spice.
  • Pour the water or chicken broth over the top. If the broth does not almost cover the brisket, add enough water to come half way up the beef.
  • Cook on low for 7-9 hours or until tender.
  • Add the cabbage to the crockpot around hour 6-7 (2 hours before serving). Sometimes there is not enough room for the cabbage to fit in the crockpot. If this happens, bring a large pot of water to a boil, throw in the cabbage, and cook for ~ 7-9 minutes or until it has shrunk. Strain and add to crockpot.
  • Remove the brisket, let cool, and slice across the grain. Salt to taste.
Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (3)

Is Corned Beef Cooked Fat Side Up Or Down?

Corned Beef Brisket should be placed in the crockpot or pot with the fat side up. The fat insulates and protects the meat and helps the corned beef from drying out as it cooks.

Brisket / corned beef should have a thin layer of fat on the top. Sometimes the fat is superthick and needs to be trimmed. Fat gives flavor but too much of it can also make a greasy sauce.

I generally trim the fat off of corned beef brisketif itis over ¼" thick. The fat can also be easily taken off the top with a butter knife after it's done cooking.

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (4)

Crockpot Corned Beef Brisket Cooking Tips:

The brisket is really tender when it's fully cooked. It's gonna be hard to slice the meat intact. The corned beef will stay together better if it is cooled before slicing.

Want some more tang? Use sauerkraut instead of cabbage and throw it in the crockpot at the beginning with the rest of the ingredients. Bonus: the sauerkraut doesn't take up a lot of space in the crockpot with the corned beef.

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (5)

Corned Beef Brisket FAQS

Does corned beef need to be covered with water in the slow cooker?

Nope! But it does need to have liquid half way up the meat. If it's completely covered it will end up boiled. Not the end of the world, but just not necessary.

Do you use the liquid in the corned beef package?

Yup. That's the pickling spice and you definitely want all that flavor in there when you cook it!

How do you know when slow cooker corned beef brisket is done?

It takes 7-9 hours on low to cook corned beef in the crockpot. It will be fork tender when it's done. Crockpots cook at different heats, even on low, check it at hours 7 and 8.

How long do you cook corned beef in the crockpot?

Cook corned beef in the crockpot for 7-9 hours on low.

Should I use water or chicken broth to cover the corned beef?

It's hard to say because some corned beef briskets have an uber salty pickling liquid or spices. Use water if you are sensitive to salt and add salt to taste later.

Why is corned beef pink?

Corned beef can be either pink when fully cooked or grey / brown. There is one key difference in that the cooked Corned Beef that is pink in color has the addition of nitrates - either sodium nitrate or saltpeter (potassium nitrate).

The nitrate additions cures the corned beef and changes the color of the meat to pink and also gives corned beef its flavor. The lack of curing the corned beef with nitrates leaves the corned beef the regular ole color of cooked beef.

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (6)

Want To Cook Corned Beef On The Stovetop?

  • Cool - no problem! Add the brisket and any pickling spice packet or pickling juices with the fat side up.
  • Cover corned beef brisket nearly to the top of the meat with water. Broth will be too salty.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook covered around 2 hours.
  • Add potatoes, carrots, and cabbage and cook covered ~ 30-40 minutes or until tender.
  • Add salt to taste

You May Also Like

Looking for more St.Patrick’s Day recipes?While not Irish, the Scotch Egg recipe is unique and satisfying when the egg oozes out.

Along with some other classic Irish recipes, you can never go wrong with a Reuben Sandwich!

  • Oven Baked Turkey Scotch Eggs
  • Potato Leek Bisque / Soup
  • Ground Beef Cottage Pie
  • Lamb And Pearl Barley Stew
  • Irish Beef and Stout Stew
  • The Best Reuben Sandwich

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Easy Crockpot Corned Beef And Cabbage

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (13)

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This delicious and easy crock pot corned beef brisket recipe with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes will change your game plan for an easy dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (or any day!).

  • Author: beckie
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Crockpot / Instapot / Braised
  • Cuisine: Irish
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 4 lb lean corned beef w/ pickling spice packet or juice
  • 1 onion, sliced (optional)
  • 4 medium carrots, cut in 1 ½" chunks
  • 1 ½ lb whole baby potatoes or roughly chunked potatoes
  • 4 cups water or low sodium chicken broth - use water if sensitive to salt.
  • 1 medium head cabbage, chunked

Instructions

  • In a 6 quart crock-potEasy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (14) add the onion, potatoes, and carrots.
  • Nestle in the corned beef w/ pickling spice - fat side up.
  • Pour the water or chicken broth over the top. If the broth does not almost cover the brisket, add enough water to come ~ ½ way up the beef.
  • Cook on low for 7-9 hours or until fork tender.
  • Add the cabbage to the crockpot around hour 6-7 (2 hours before serving) and continue cooking. Sometimes there is not enough room for the cabbage to fit in the crockpot and it can get crazy frustrating trying to shove it all in. If this is the case, bring a large pot of water to a boil, throw in the cabbage, and cook for ~ 7-9 minutes or until it has shrunk. Strain and add to crockpot.
  • Remove the brisket, let cool, and slice across the grain.
  • Add a big cup full or two of strained veggies on your plate and add the sliced corned beef.
  • Add salt to taste. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Beckie

Notes

TIPS:

  • The brisket is tender when fully cooked. It's gonna be hard to slice the meat intact. The brisket will stay together better the cooler it is when you slice it.
  • Don't have a crockpot? No problem. Use a large stockpot. Boil the brisket and onions ~ 2 hours or until tender. Add carrots and potatoes in the last 15 minutes and then add the cabbage in the last 20 minutes.
  • Want some more tang? Use sauerkraut instead of cabbage and throw it in the crockpot at the beginning with the rest of the ingredients.

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  1. Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (15)Hilmar Adriaans says

    Fabulous Photos, Fabulous Recipys..................Thanks

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Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage (2024)

FAQs

Does corned beef need to be covered with liquid in a slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

Do you rinse corned beef before slow cooker? ›

Instead: Whether you bought a ready-to-cook corned beef or you cured your own, rinse the meat several times under cool water to remove any excess salt.

What is the secret to tender corned beef? ›

Turn the crock pot to the low setting and let the slow cooker corned beef cook for 8 to 10 hours. This extended cooking time makes the meat tender, juicy and flavorful. Alternatively, you can use an instant pot to make corned beef in less time.

Is it better to cook corned beef on stove or slow cooker? ›

Low and slow is the way you need to cook corned beef and what better way than in the slow cooker. Also known as corned silverside all you need to do is place all your ingredients in the bowl of the cooker, set it to low and go about with your day – to return to a fork tender, delicious dinner.

What happens if you don't rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

Many recipes don't include a step for rinsing the meat, but it's worth doing it anyway. Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland!

Should you use the juice in the corned beef package? ›

To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine.

Is it better to cook corned beef on high or low? ›

Do this instead: Regardless of the cooking method, corned beef is best cooked over low heat. A low, gentle simmer on the stovetop or in the slow cooker are two methods for cooking up soft, tender slices of corned beef every time.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

Why is my crockpot corned beef tough? ›

When you're done cooking the corned beef, make sure you slice against the grain of the meat. This will produce a more tender result; if you slice with the grain, you'll find a more tough and stringy texture when you chew.

Can you overcook corned beef in a slow cooker? ›

You can overcook corned beef in a Crock-Pot if it's cooked for too long at too high of a temperature. Overcooked corned beef can taste tough and stringy. It's best to follow the recommended cook time and temperature within the recipe.

Why add beer to corned beef? ›

Using beer to cook corned beef is a popular method because it adds flavor and complexity to the dish. The alcohol and hops in the beer add a rich, slightly bitter flavor that complements the salty and savory taste of the corned beef.

How to make corned beef taste better? ›

Add a tablespoon or two of pickling spice as well as a few garlic cloves, a quartered onion, a carrot, and a few stalks of celery if you like. Bring everything to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.

Should corned beef be fully submerged in slow cooker? ›

Coat the brisket evenly with the pickling spice, then place on top of the potatoes, fat side up. Add the water, it should come to just the top of the beef, but not submerge it. Cover and cook until the beef is very tender, about 7 to 8 hours on low or 5 to 6 hours on high.

How do you know when corned beef is done in slow cooker? ›

Please note that crock pot cooking times may vary greatly depending upon brand and style. It is important to check the meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F. For best results, monitor at regular intervals.

What to drink with corned beef and cabbage? ›

Strangely, the same wines that go with Thanksgiving dinner also go with corned beef and cabbage. If you prefer red, go with Beaujolais, Grenache (a Rhone varietal), or a light Zinfandel if you can find one. A light Pinot Noir, like from Anderson Valley, might also work. Steer clear of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Should you cover corned beef with water when cooking? ›

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in large pot with enough water to cover the meat. Bring water to boil. For a more robust flavor, cut open the spice pack and add desired amount of enclosed spice packet to water. Reduce to simmer and cover.

Do you have to cover beef with liquid in a slow cooker? ›

There is no need to cover the meat in liquid when cooking with a slow cooker, you only need enough liquid to cover the base of the slow cooker as the meat and vegetables will release liquid as they cook. Slow cooking beef is a simple and soothing winter option that never goes out of style.

Can you cook corned beef in a slow cooker without water? ›

Does corned beef need to be covered with water in a slow cooker? - Quora. No, it does not need to be covered in water in a slow cooker. In a slow cooker you really only want to add enough water to cover the bottom on the dish a little bit. If you boil the meat, by means of completely covering it, it will toughen up.

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