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.
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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.

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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 in 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.

What happens if you don t rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

1. Not Rinsing the Meat Before Cooking. If you cook the meat straight from the plastic packaging or pulled the meat right away from the brine solution in the fridge without rinsing, you just might be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for.

Should you brown corned beef before slow cooking? ›

How Do You Cook Corned Beef Brisket In a Crockpot? Check the recipe below. It's really easy, all you have to do is add all the ingredients and cook on the preferred setting. Similarly, you can brown the brisket on the one side before adding it to the slow cooker, this way it will have a crispier top.

What is the most tender way to cook corned beef? ›

Slow cooking with a crock pot or using an instant pot is a fantastic way to cook corned beef, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth, tender meat throughout. You can make a delicious, hearty meal with simple ingredients and a crock pot or instant pot. Your whole family will enjoy it.

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 is my slow cooker corned beef tough? ›

Not cooking the meat long enough.

Brisket, the cut typically used for corned beef, is a naturally tough cut of meat. Cooking this beef is a process that can't be rushed. Even when the meat is cooked through, it needs more time to transform the chewy bite into one that's deliciously tender.

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.

Should I cook corned beef fat side up or down? ›

For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound. Vegetables may be added during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking.

What can I do with the liquid from corned beef? ›

Leftover corned beef broth can make an excellent base for starting a French onion soup. This is a guide about using leftover corned beef broth for french onion soup.

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.

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.

What is the secret to corned beef? ›

However, when corned beef has been soaked in a seasoned brine of water, curing salt, and spices, and also cooked low and slow with moist heat, the connective tissue in this muscle-bound cut melts down, making a tough cut of meat juicy and succulent.

Why add beer to corned beef? ›

You need its connective tissue to break down so you can have tender results. Some like to braise their corned beef in an all-water liquid, with various spices and salt; others add beer to the mix to further tenderize the meat.

Is corned beef healthy? ›

While it provides protein and nutrients like iron and vitamin B12, corned beef is relatively high in fat and sodium. It's also a source of certain compounds that may increase your risk of cancer.

Can you slow cook beef without liquid? ›

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.

Do you add water when cooking corned beef? ›

Place your corned beef brisket in a large pot or Dutch oven with a lid along with some aromatics like carrot chunks, celery stalks and a quartered onion. These vegetables will infuse the cooking liquid with flavor as the corned beef simmers away. Cover the corned beef with water.

Does meat in a slow cooker have to be covered with liquid? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

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