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
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.
this is the best corned beef and cabbage I’ve ever had I could give it more than six stars.
Turned out amazing!!!
yes I had to put in the potatoes and vegetables in the beginning because I had to work and the cabbage had to go into another pot to be cooked because there was no room in the crock pot. lol
My flat 3 pounder takes up all the space in my 7qt crock. When I add the veggies, do they need to be fully submerged in the liquid? Could I toss them in underneath the corned beef?
They do not need to be submerged. You could also cook them on the side if needed.
The “*” on “2 pounds potatoes peeled* & quartered” doesn’t refer to anything. Also, I hope my attempt at this isn’t too watered down, because I followed your instructions to add water “until it just about covers the corned beef”
The * refers to the note about peeling the potatoes.
If using russet or baking potatoes, they should be peeled. If using thin skinned potatoes (red, Yukon gold), peeling is optional.
P.S. I have kept my cooker on low this whole time. Will rate recipe at the end of the day.
I started my 3 1/4 flat brisket at 8 am. I added my potato and carrots at 11 am. At 12:45 I checked my potatoes and they were completely done. I was afraid to leave them in until 6, so I pulled them out. Should I put them in at 5? I will put the cabbage in at 4 – right?
Do you think my 6 qt slow cooker is going bad?
You can add them back to the slow cooker about 45 minutes before serving or keep them warm in the oven.
Hi, Can I cook this on high for 4-5 hours instead of low for 8-10?
Other readers have cooked on high for 5 hours, I have found cooking on low produces the best results. Let us know how it goes!
Hello! my water did not “just about cover” the roast. i put the 3c plus 1.5 bottles regular beer, and the top is still showing. I read the comments and see that you had meant just cover the bottom. I followed everything else exactly, should I dispose of some liquid? Or should it be ok? I love your site, and use your recipes often. Thank you so much for the great advice and food
I generally just add 3 cups of liquid, I don’t think the extra beer will hurt.
Thank you so much! Your recipes and tips have truly helped my kitchen/cooking game. I appreciate the feedback, and cannot wait for this to be done tonight!
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the recipes, can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Should I cut the fat from the brisket?
No, the fat doesn’t need to be removed.
Looking forward to making this recipe today! Could you please let me know how I would adjust the cooking time if I’m using a 5qt slow cooker?
The cooking time will remain the same, the veggies may not all fit in a 5qt. Let us know how it goes!
What setting do you have the crock pot on? low or high?
This is cooked on low.
is this using the flat or the point? thank you in advance!
Either will work.
Amazing Corned Beef recipe. I shared it with my daughter in law who is not an established cook, and it turned out perfectly! Thank you for an easy and tasty recipe.
My first time trying corned beef in the crock pot after years of boiling it per my mother’s recipe and failing miserably at making it as perfectly as she did. Tried this last year and my husband asked me to only make it this way from now on and looks forward to St. Patrick’s day!
like the receipe trying cornbeef/cabbage can’t wait to see what else there is
I’m counting on you! Tomorrow is THE day for Corned Beef and Cabbage and it’s amazing how many people have opinions on how to do the recipe. You and my Mom agree! Thank you and I’ll post the stars once finished! Thank you so much.
Found the recipe easy to follow and excited to try this one and more!
How long should I cook my 7 pounder? I’ve read a pound an hour but now I’m seeing these 3-4 pounders being cooked for 8-10 hours. Thanks!
I haven’t made a 7 pound corned beef in the slow cooker so I can’t say for sure, my concern is that the vegetables wouldn’t fit (although they could be cooked on the side). I cook a 4 pound a bit closer to 10 hours (3lb closer to 8 hours) as the lower temperature tenderizes. I would allow for extra time and if its done early it can be kept on warm.
Can you use chicken or beef broth instead of water ?
I don’t have dark beer just regular beer would that work also ?
Regular beer will work just fine! You can certainly use broth in place of water. Corned beef can be a bit salty so I recommend reduced sodium if possible.
Can’t wait to try this delicious recipe
Hi. Can I cook this on high in my slow cooker?
Other readers have cooked on high for 5 hours, I have found cooking on low produces the best results. Let us know how it goes!