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)

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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
  • 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

Once cooked your 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.

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

4.99 from 1337 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

Should corned beef be fully submerged in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is it better to slow cook on low or high? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

How many hours does it take to cook 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.

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.

Do you use 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 cooking method is best for corned beef? ›

Boiling is the most common method, but you can also slow cook, bake, grill, or pan-fry your corned beef. Each method has its distinct flavor and cooking process, so it's worth trying them all to find the best fit for you. The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling.

Which corned beef is best for slow cooker? ›

Point Cut: The Secret to a Flavorful Feast

This portion of the salt-cured beef excels in cooking methods that allow for slow and low heat, such as braising or using a slow cooker, which slowly breaks down the tough tissues, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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.

What goes with corned beef and cabbage? ›

30 Sides To Serve With Corned Beef
  • Traditional Irish Colcannon. Ting Dalton/Tasting Table. ...
  • Buttermilk Biscuit With Cheddar & Parmesan. Todd Coleman. ...
  • Garlic Herb Skillet Potatoes. ...
  • Roasted Cabbage Wedges. ...
  • Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • Lemon Garlic Green Beans. ...
  • Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Grilled Carrots With Tallow.
Mar 12, 2023

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.

Should corned beef be fully submerged in water? ›

Even cooking: Ensuring that the corned beef is fully submerged in water helps to cook it evenly. This is because water is a better conductor of heat than air, so the meat will cook more quickly and evenly when submerged in liquid [2].

Does meat have to be fully submerged in 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.

Should brisket be submerged in slow cooker? ›

Start checking on the meat according to the time recommendations in the recipe and you'll be golden. Should brisket be submerged in the slow cooker? The meat doesn't need to be swimming in broth, but yes, it should be at least partially submerged. Here, 2 1/2 cups is plenty for a 3-pound piece of meat.

Should you cover corned beef with water when cooking? ›

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.

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