Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (2024)

This Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker recipe packs all of the deliciousness of corned beef into a meal that cooks itself.

Tender Corned Beef and cabbage, carrots, & potatoes all cooked to perfection in the Crock Pot make for an effortless meal.

Talk about a stroke of good fortune on St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year!

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (1)

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The Best Recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage!

I’m often asked “What is the best recipe for corned beef and cabbage?” and I have to admit that I’m partial to this slow cooker recipe! Making this crock pot Corned Beef & Cabbage recipe, it so easy that it practically cooks itself.

  • It is best cooked in a 6QT slow cooker (or larger) as it really fills the crockpot.
  • Add the potatoes a few hours into the cooking process, so thatthey cook for about 5-6 hours, this will keep them from getting mushy.
  • Add the cabbage 2 hours before you plan to serve the meal.

Low and Slow Cooked Corned Beef

If you’ve never made crockpot corned beef before, it’s actually easy to make. Keep in mind that in mind, corned beef (and beef brisket in general) is a tough cut of meat and it benefits from a long low and slow cooking time.

Quickly check the corned beef with a fork to see if it is tender. If it is tough, it likely hasn’t cooked for long enough; leave it in the slow cooker and give it a little more time.

Important Note

After slow cooking corned beef, be sure to allow the corned beef to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Once rested, cut against the grain for corned beef that is juicier and fork tender.

How to Cook Corned Beef to Make it Tender

  • Low & Slow:Brisket is a tough cut of meat, and to get the very best results, it should be cooked low and slow. In this recipe, I use the slow cooker and I make sure to use the low setting.
  • Give it time: This goes back to “slow”… this recipe calls for 8-10 hours and mine usually takes closer to 10. If your corned beef is tough, there’s a good chance it didn’t cook long enough.
  • Rest your meat: As with most meats, allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
  • Cut across the grain:Brisket has long fibrous strands so it is very important to cut across the grain. In fact, this is one of the most important parts of this recipe!!
Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (2)

What Spices go on Corned Beef?

Corned Beef is beef brisket that has been cured and brined. When sold, it often comes already seasoned or with a seasoning packet. The seasonings include beautifully fragrant spices such as whole allspice, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and coriander, to name a few. If your corned beef doesn’t have a spice packet, you can adda couple of tablespoons of pickling spices, a few peppercorns, and a bay leaf. Bundle them up in cheesecloth and toss them into the slow cooker.

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to enjoy an easy crock pot Corned Beef and Cabbage. Using a slow cooker makes this meal almost effortless!

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (3)

This recipecreates a one of a kind, delicious dinner that your family will love! Since it’s already a complete meal, we most often serve it with30 Minute Dinner RollsorEasy Homemade Buttermilk Biscuitsand a simple side salad.

Don’t eat this just on St. Patrick’s day, it’s wonderfully cozy all year round! This easy corned beef and cabbage recipe contains a complete meal all in one, tender corned beef, potatoes, sweet carrots and cabbage.

More St. Patrick's Day Favorites

Classic Shepherd’s Pie

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Irish Soda Bread

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Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (10)

4.99 from 1949 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe

This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe packs all of the deliciousness of corned beef into a meal that cooks itself. Talk about a stroke of good fortune on St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year!

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Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (11)

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (12)

Servings 6 servings

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (13)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 corned beef brisket 3-4 pounds
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 ½ – 3 cups water
  • 2 pounds potatoes peeled* & quartered
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 1 small head of cabbage cut into wedges

Instructions

  • Chop onion into large chunks and place in the bottom of a 6 qt slow cooker. Top with corned beef and seasoning packet.

  • Pour water into slow cooker until it just about covers the corned beef. Add garlic and bay leaves.

  • Cook on low 8-10 hours.

  • After the initial 3 hours, add potatoes and carrots to the slow cooker.

  • Two hours before serving, add cabbage wedges to the slow cooker.

  • Remove corned beef from slow cooker and let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with potatoes, carrots and cabbage.

Video

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (15)

Notes

Up to 2 cups of water can be replaced with beer if desired.

If your corned beef doesn’t have a spice packet, add a couple of tablespoons of pickling spices, a few peppercorns, and a bay leaf. Bundle them up in cheesecloth and add them to the slow cooker.

If using russet or baking potatoes, they should be peeled. If using thin skinned potatoes (red, Yukon gold), peeling is optional.

Once cooked corned beef should be tender (mine usually cooks closer to the 10 hour time). Appliances can vary, if your corned beef is not tender, it likely needs to cook longer.

It is essential to cut your corned beef across the grain.

4.99 from 1949 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 592 | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 2817mg | Potassium: 1653mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3545IU | Vitamin C: 136.9mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 9.5mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (16) Course Dinner

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (17) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (18)
Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (19)

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Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

Add enough water to almost cover meat (4 to 6 cups). Cover and cook on high until corned beef is tender, 4 1/4 hours (or 8 1/2 hours on low).

Why do you put cabbage in corned beef? ›

So when they found salted beef brisket was cheap in the States, they were quick to replace their traditional “Irish bacon.” Nutrient-dense cabbage was also readily available and affordable, and a dish combining the two became a staple for working classes across the country.

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.

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.

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

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.

Do you add the juice from a 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. Place the meat into the cooker and add enough cold water to cover.

What is the secret to corned beef? ›

Because corned beef comes from brisket, a tough cut of meat. 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.

What gives corned beef its unique flavor? ›

There are two basic steps to corned beef: the spice rub, and the cook. The rub is a mix of spices; mustard, black pepper, coriander seed, allspice, clove, and most importantly, the salt that gives this dish it's characteristic hammy flavor.

What is the preferred method to-cook corned beef? ›

The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling. Put the meat in a large pot, cover it with water or beef broth, add a seasoning packet and boil before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender and cooked to your liking.

Why is my crockpot corned beef tough? ›

Not filling the pot with enough water.

One of the keys to getting there is the amount of water in the pot. From start to finish, when there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef might be crushed with a tough, chewy result.

Do you put corned beef fat side up or down? ›

Place the corned beef fat-side up in a roasting pan with a rack or use an oven-safe rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. If you don't have either, set the corned beef on top of a bed of chopped onions so it's elevated from the pan.

Does corned beef need to be submerged in liquid? ›

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.

How to tell when corned beef is done in a 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 serve with corned beef and cabbage? ›

Tips: Serve with a dish of grainy mustard. Serve with boiled new potatoes. Shred the corned beef with two forks if you prefer that consistency! Make a leftover corned beef sandwich with a slice of brisket and a wedge of cabbage on rye.

How long to cook 3 lb corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 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.

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.

Does food in 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.

Should liquid always cover meat in slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

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