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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Hello, I have a 2 pound corned beef. I put 2 cups of Guiness beer, and it does not cover the meat in the crockpot with the onions underneath. Do I need to add water to cover just to the top of the meat? Thanks!
The meat does not need to be covered.
If I’m not going to be home after I put the corn beef in after the 3 hours to put the veggies in. Can I put them later or will they not be done? Any suggestions?
They may or may not be done depending how much later. As an option you could also simmer them on the stove or roast them.
has anyone cooked this on the high setting? should I just cut the time in half?
I have only cooked this recipe on low which takes closer to 8-10 hours depending on size. Corned beef cooks best and becomes more tender at a low temperature so I can’t say for sure how it would do on high. I would check it closer to 4½ to 5 hours (depending on size) and, often if the corned beef is not tender, it will need more time (kind of like a pot roast).
The three cups of water did not “just about cover” the beef. Is it ok to add more water to get there.
You can add a little bit more liquid, it doesn’t have to be completely covered.
Can I cook this today and store it in the refrigerator for tommorrow without ruining it?
Yes, it can be cooked and reheated.
Hi. I was wondering if you can put 2 corned beef 1 at 2.51lbs the other 2.87lbs together with all the vegetables at the same time in my slow cooker. Thoughts?
If adding two corned beef, as long as everything fits it should be fine as the vegetables are on top and the cabbage sort of steams. You’ll want to ensure your slow cooker is at least 6 quarts. If needed, the vegetables could be simmered separately.
If I have two 3.5 pound corned beefs will it take more time to cook in the crockpot?
If you’re cooking 7lbs of corned beef at once, it will likely take more time and the vegetables may not fit (they could be cooked separately if needed). Let us know how it goes!
Can I cook on High in the crockpot for 4-5 hours instead?
While it may cook, I do find that it isn’t as tender when cooked on high. Let us know how it goes!
I had to add 4 cups water plus the beer to get it to almost cover the corned beef. what else needs to be changed with the additional fluids?
If you’ve added 4 cups of water, you may like to add extra onion, garlic, and bay leaf. As an option, you can also add a tablespoon of pickling spices and bundle them up in cheesecloth and add them to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
This has been my go to recipe for years. Everyone loves it. I just plan on a 10 hour cook time for mine. Works great with either a point or flat cut.
8-10 hours….what side of this time range do most people cook it for? How will I know when it’s ready? Thanks! :)
I generally do 10hrs for a 3.5 to 4lb corned beef. You’ll know it’s done if you check with a fork and it’s tender (I try not to let too much heat out of the slow cooker).
Easy to follow great recipe
We’ll do far I really love the recipe and I’m buying the ingredients …. Crock Pot standing by at home with my 3 hungry grandkids
Hello! I have purchased all of the ingredients today, for tomorrow’s evening meal. I am thinking that I will cook my 3.5 lb corned beef for the 10 hour mark, and wondered if I should change the time that I add the potatoes and carrots? 7 hours seems too long for those vegetables. Should I add them 4.5 to 5 hours after starting my crock pot? I was thinking of using Chicken Broth as well and rinsing my corned beef. Would you recommend either of those?
Thank you for helping me out with this.
Diane S.
I generally add them after 3 hours but they should be fine if you’d like to add them a little bit later. If replacing the water with broth, I’d recommend low sodium as it can become too salty.
Thank you for your help! It turned out to be incredible. I had almost a 4 pound Corned Beef and decided to cook it for the full 10 hours. I added the potatoes and carrots at the 4 1/2 hour mark and they were great. I did use the chicken broth (all 4 cups) but had rinsed my corned beef well and patted it dry before adding the seasoning packet ingredients on top of that. My honey said it was the best St. Patty’s Corned Beef and Cabbage that he had ever had.
I was told by my Aunt to not rinse the corned beef. My Mother never did either. It tastes better not rinsed. Just my opinion though. I hope you have a wonderful day ☺️
You are a dear! I did rinse it as I was using regular Chicken Broth (not low sodium). It worked beautifully, but I do think it would have been just as good if I had not.
This was a fairly easy recipe and turned out to be delicious. It will become a regular in our house!
curious when you add the garlic?
It is added in step 2.
2. Pour water into slow cooker until it just about covers the corned beef. Add garlic and bay leaves.
This recipe is great! Never let the brisque boil, it will harden. I however, add chicken boulion and lots of garlic, 3 Tbs.
Is that a flat corned beef ?
Yes, I use the flat.
Question: what happens if you don’t decide to peel the potatoes such as regular baking potatoes. Will leaving the skin on affect the taste of the recipe?
It won’t affect the flavor of the recipe but the skin may not have the best texture.
This is always my go-to recipe for corned beef! Turns out great every time :) thank you!
perfect recipe for a first time try at using a slow cooker, used apple juice instead of beer other wise everything the same. thank you.
You didn’t make it as written. You used apple juice. I’ll never understand why people rate a recipe while not following it.