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!
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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 that they 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.
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!!
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 add a 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!
This recipe creates a one of a kind, delicious dinner that your family will love! Since it’s already a complete meal, we most often serve it with 30 Minute Dinner Rolls or Easy Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits and 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
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds corned beef brisket uncooked, with spice packet
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 ½ to 3 cups water
- 2 pounds potatoes peeled* & quartered
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 1 small head green 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
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner
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May I sub beef broth for the beer or will that make it too salty? Thanks!
If using beef broth, I would suggest reduced sodium and/or half water.
I’m only cooking a 1.5 pound corned beef. How long should that take?
I would check if it is tender around 6 to 7 hours – if it isn’t tender, let it cook a little bit longer.
3 cups of water doesn’t come close to covering the corned beef – does it matter if I add twice that amount?
The corned beef will not be completely covered.
Thanks for an amazing recipe! I used this one for instructions, timing, and amounts since they were all spot on. I didn’t use the onion or garlic and it was still perfect for us. The meat was tender, the vegetables soft, but structured. Delicious and easy to make!
We had a flat cut, not as fatty as the point. Worked well.
Do you use the juices that the corned beef comes in? Or dump them? Do you ever rinse the meat?
I do not rinse the meat. I like to spoon the juices over the sliced corned beef before serving.
I think Anna was specifically asking about the liquid the raw corned beef comes packaged in, not the juices left in the slow cooker after cooking! So it goes without saying, don’t spoon those juices over the cooked corned beef.
But to answer Anna’s question, do you put the liquid the raw corned beef is packaged in into the slow cooker, or drain it off?
Thank you Kendall, I misread the question. I discard any liquid in the package but do not rinse it.
nice
How long to cook 5 lbs corned beef
It will likely need an hour or two longer (allow for extra time and if it’s done early you can turn it to warm).
What kind of beer do you suggest using if replacing with water?
We love Guinness but you can use any variety or whatever you have on hand!
Can you do 1 part water and 1 part beer? Or is all beer better?
1 part water:1 part beer is great!
Loved it.
Apologies if this has been answered already, but what kind of beer would you recommend using with this recipe if I opt to go that route? Looking forward to trying this out!
We love Guinness but you can use any variety or whatever you have on hand!
Holly, I love your recipes, thank you for sharing them with all of us!! Tomorrow I’m using your crockpot recipe for corn beef which I use every year. Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ Again your recipes are amazing!!
can I not use Onions ?
You can skip them if you’d like.
I’m cooking 2 corned beefs about 3 lbs each how long should I cook l? and at high or low? running late ….
I prefer to cook it on low if time allows, if cooking two 3lb corned beef, the cooking time will remain close to the same – you can check if they’re tender around 8hrs. You’ll want to ensure that the slow cooker isn’t too full or they may not cook properly (and you may not have room for all of the veggies). You can also cook corned beef on the stovetop if you’re short on time.
I have a 5 pound corned beef point cut. Will I still cook it for 8 -10 hours on low? Thanks!
It will likely need an hour or two longer (allow for extra time and if it’s done early you can turn it to warm).
How long do you think a 4lb flat-cut corned beef cook in a slow cooker? Thanks.
It should be close to 10 to 11 hours on low.
I’ve been making corned beef and cabbage dinner for decades and this recipe is truly the best, ever! Adding the vegetables at different intervals assures they will be cooked to perfection and not too mushy! I highly recommend this method.
What kind of potatoes do you use?
Any variety would work. Thin skinned potatoes (red/Yukon gold) work well and don’t need peeling. Russet potatoes will need to be peeled.
This came out great! This is the best way to cook corn beef and cabbage and I have cooked many ways. I cooked cabbage separate. I used horseradish sauce on mine. I froze the leftovers. Thanks for the recipe I have used many of them with great results!
I’m sorry if I’ve just missed this, but do you mince the garlic or throw in whole cloves?
I usually slice the cloves.
Perfect! I LOVED the flavor and the timing was perfect. I used big carrots, chopped into quarters, and they had lots of flavor. Baby carrots would require less cooking time. The cabbage, that I cut into quarters still had a slight crunch and maintained it’s color. I’m looking forward to using the leftovers for Reuben dip.