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

Casseroles

Colcannon (Cabbage and Potatoes)

Side Dishes

Irish Soda Bread

Lamb Stew (Irish Stew)

Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe (10)

4.99 from 1986 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 1986 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? ›

For corned beef in particular, you need enough liquid to cover the entire piece of meat. This is because it's not only there to cook the meat, but also to draw salt out so it has a more balanced flavor.

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

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 excellent methods for cooking up soft, tender slices of corned beef every time.

Do you drain liquid from corned beef and cabbage? ›

When the meat is almost done, and you are about an hour from dinner, ladle out most of the cooking liquid and place in a large, heavy bottomed cooking pot. Add the cut potatoes, carrots and rutabaga.

What is the secret to best 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.

How do you know 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 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!

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 corned beef not tender in the crockpot? ›

Low Temperature: Slow cookers typically cook at relatively low temperatures, which can result in meats like corned beef not reaching a high enough temperature to break down the tough connective tissues and collagen properly. This can lead to a tougher texture rather than the desired tenderness.

Why is my slow cooked 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.

Should corned beef be fully submerged in water? ›

Yes, it does. Yes, corned beef should be covered with water in a slow cooker. This is important to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process. It is also important to ensure that the water level is high enough to fully submerge the meat, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly.

How many people will a 3 lb corned beef feed? ›

Keep in mind that depending on the cut, corned beef will shrink by as much as one-third during cooking. A 3-pound brisket should feed four to six people if served with vegetables.

What do you do with the liquid in the corned beef package? ›

Place the brined corned beef in a large pot or Dutch oven along with the liquid and spices that accompanied it in the package. Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot.

What is a good side dish with corned beef and cabbage? ›

Roasted vegetables: Roasted carrots, parsnips, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts make flavorful and hearty side dishes that complement the savory flavors of corned beef. 2. Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic accompaniment to corned beef, providing a comforting and satisfying addition to the meal.

What gives corned beef its unique flavor? ›

The flavor profile often includes bay leaf, black peppercorn, mustard seed, dried red pepper and coriander. If that blend sounds familiar, it's because it's same list of spices that are packaged as pickling spice. Not surprising, since corned beef and pickles are commonly made in the same place: a deli.

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 corned beef be covered in liquid? ›

Yes, corned beef should be covered with water in a slow cooker. This is important to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process. It is also important to ensure that the water level is high enough to fully submerge the meat, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly.

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 meat be completely covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

Should corned beef be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot. A 3-pound corned beef could take three hours or more to become perfectly tender.

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