Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This crockpot corned beef and cabbage recipe is my go-to easy way to slow cook corned beef along with cabbage, carrots, and red potatoes. It’s a full, hearty, comforting, and savory dish! We cook this twist on a traditional Irish meal every St. Patrick’s Day and it’s become a favorite family tradition.

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

I used to live near a neighborhood in St. Louis called “Dogtown”. It’s an amazing neighborhood steeped in Irish heritage that has a truly wonderful St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration each year. You walk down the street and families offer you all the fun and festive fare. Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage was what I always looked for, it was so delicious! I knew I could develop my own version of the recipe that would become a fun tradition for our family for years to come.

Ingredients

Cooking corned beef and cabbage in a crockpot makes this traditional Irish recipe super easy. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it!

  • Corned Beef: Corned beef is a salt-cured beef brisket. Look for flat cut rather than point cut for the best results. Trim all visible fat from the brisket.
  • Onion: Use yellow onion.
  • Cabbage: Use one small cabbage.
  • Red Potatoes: These are smaller and less starchy than white potatoes, so they work better in recipes like this. Peel and halve before putting them in the slow cooker.
  • Carrots: I used baby carrots for convenience, but you can also peel and cut whole carrots into thick slices.
  • Beef Bouillon Cube: This adds a lot of savory flavor into the mix.
  • Beef Broth: This adds a flavorful liquid into the mix.
  • Garlic: I used 1 garlic clove, but you can increase the amount if you like more garlic flavor.
  • Dry Mustard: Sometimes called mustard powder or ground mustard, this adds a savory, almost tangy flavor.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: This adds the perfect mix of flavor to this dish.
  • Caraway Seed: Caraway is a must for corned beef.

What spices are used to make traditional corned beef?

Corned beef brisket generally comes with a spice packet that includes a mix of peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill seeds, and bay leaves. I recommend using this, but you can also use any mix of those spices from your cabinet, or leave it out completely.

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How to Store and Reheat

Storing leftover corned beef and cabbage is quite easy. Just place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate as soon as you’re done eating. I find that it will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheat in a slow cooker or in the oven, and cook to an internal temp of at least 145°F.

How to Freeze

I freeze corned beef for up to 2-3 months. I let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag.

Serving Ideas

I truly love that this crockpot corned beef and cabbage recipe is a full meal! It’s filled with beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, so it’s quite hearty, perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

When I am serving a large crowd and want to add some extra sides, I’ll whip up some beer bread, colcannon potatoes, or hash brown potato casserole. I also love to serve it with our St. Patrick’s Day Punch, which is always a crowd pleaser.

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5-Star Review

“I followed this recipe to the letter except one change-up as I used vegetable bouillon with a pint of stout to substitute for the broth. The corned beef was the most tender I have ever made. The mix of vegetables was perfect. It is rare for me to find keepers on the internet or to review recipes. This one is a keeper!! Brava to you:)” – Becky DiRosa

Recipe

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

4.55 from 203 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 8 hours hours

Total: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Serves6

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This is such an easy, hands-off way to make corned beef and cabbage, a traditional Irish dish!

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Ingredients

  • pounds corned beef brisket
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 6 red potatoes peeled and halved
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • The spice packet that comes with the corned beef brisket optional
  • 1 cabbage cut into wedges
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

Instructions

  • Trim the brisket of all visible fat.

    2½ pounds corned beef brisket

  • Spray a large crockpot with nonstick spray.

  • Place the onion, potatoes, and carrots in the bottom of the crockpot, and place corned beef on top.

    1 onion, 6 red potatoes, 2 cups baby carrots

  • Whisk together the bouillon, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and beef broth.

    1 beef bouillon cube, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

  • Pour the liquid over the brisket.

  • Sprinkle the included spice packet over the corned beef (optional). Cover pot.

    The spice packet that comes with the corned beef brisket

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  • Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, adding the cabbage wedges and caraway seed for the last hour of cooking.

    1 cabbage, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds

  • To serve, discard cooking liquid, slice meat and serve with mustard if desired.

    Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • I prefer flat cut brisket, as it is more uniform and easier to cut, but point brisket will also work.
  • You can swap the beef broth for vegetable broth, water, or Guinness beer.
  • For more tender cabbage, add it earlier; for crisper cabbage, add it later.
  • Properly cooked corned beef should be at least 145°F internally.
  • Slice the beef across the grain for tender meat.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Storage:Store crockpot corned beef and cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 595kcal (30%) Carbohydrates: 49g (16%) Protein: 36g (72%) Fat: 29g (45%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 102mg (34%) Sodium: 2743mg (119%) Potassium: 2110mg (60%) Fiber: 9g (38%) Sugar: 11g (12%) Vitamin A: 6051IU (121%) Vitamin C: 128mg (155%) Calcium: 120mg (12%) Iron: 6mg (33%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Cozy Beef Recipes We Love

  • Corned Beef Hash
  • Guinness Beef Stew
  • Reuben Casserole
  • Beef Wellington
  • Slow Cooker Brisket

How long do you cook corned beef in a crock pot?

On the low setting, it will take about 8-10 hours to cook. On the high setting, it will only take about 4-5 hours.

What temperature should corned beef be cooked to?

Corned beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to ensure safe consumption. Use a meat thermometer to measure this. The meat will still be quite pink due to the curing process, so that is not an adequate way of determining how done or cooked the meat is.

What is the best method for cooking corned beef?

Slow cooking methods work best for corned beef, like oven-roasting or using a slow cooker.

What kind of beef do you use for corned beef?

Corned beef is a salty brine-cured beef brisket. It’s a specific type of meat, and that curing process is the important part.

Does it get more tender the longer it cooks?

Yes, corned beef benefits from a longer cooking time, which is why the crockpot is such a great option.

When do you add cabbage to the crock pot with corned beef?

Cabbage doesn’t need nearly as long to cook as the corned beef, so add it into the slow cooker about 1 hour before the beef is done.

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FAQs

Should corned beef be 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.

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.

Why is my corned beef not tender in the crockpot? ›

While a crockpot is a slow cooker, it might not always provide the ideal conditions for tenderizing tough cuts of meat like corned beef. Consider cooking it for a longer duration or using other methods like braising for better results in achieving tenderness.

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.

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

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. Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking. This does not mean it is not done. Nitrite is used in the curing process.

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 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.

Do you cook 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.

Is it better to boil or slow cook corned beef? ›

Corned beef is a brisket that has been brined. It is often sold precooked, but if you have purchased it raw, the best way to cook corned beef is slowly. You can bake, boil, or cook it in your slow cooker, but the key to a tender, flavorful meal requires at least a few hours.

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 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.

Do you drain liquid from corned beef and cabbage? ›

Don't discard the brine. Place the meat into the cooker and add enough cold water to cover. Add the pickling spices, cover, and cook on high for 6–8 hours. Cooking time depends on the size of the cut, as well as how you like it cooked.

What to serve with corned beef and cabbage? ›

The top five accompaniments for a corned beef sandwich include tangy pickles, fresh and crunchy coleslaw, crispy potato chips or French fries, flavorful potato salad, and a cup of soup, such as tomato or vegetable.

How many people will a 4 pound corned beef feed? ›

When buying a brisket for corned beef, plan on about 3/4 pounds per person, or up to one pound per person if you want to make sure there are leftovers for things like sandwiches and hash.

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].

Should corned beef be completely covered in water? ›

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in crock pot and completely cover with water. Cover and cook for approximately 11 hours on low or 5 hours on high, or until firmly fork tender.

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? ›

Place the seasoned beef brisket into the slow cooker, making sure it is submerged in the liquid mixture. Add a little extra salt to taste, if desired. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low heat setting for approximately 8-10 hours, or until the beef brisket is tender and easily pulls apart.

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