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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Question: what would you think about substituting beer for water in the crock pot?
I think it’s a great idea! Many readers substitute beer for water. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Turned out great! Used my slow cooker on low for 2 hours, then turned up to medium for the next 4 hours and it was already tender. Added the carrots and potatoes at that point and an hour or so later, added the cabbage. Looking forward to a great dinner! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Hi Holly,
I haven’t tried the corned beef and cabbage slow cooker recipe as yet, BUT a question for you.
Do the onions not take away from the taste overall? I love onions and make a cottage roll similar, but don’t use them.
Please let me know. Thankyou
I like the flavor the onions add, you can leave them out if you’d prefer.
Thankyou, Holly….do you know what?
Everyone else likes the recipe, so I will follow it to a tee.
I’ll let you know,
Thankyou
Definitely leave the onions in, just stay away from sweet onions for this recipe. They really help to layer the flavor!
Hey! I was wondering if I could cook my cabbage separately, I will not be home in time to add it to the crock pot!
Absolutely. You could make boiled cabbage to serve on the side and add some of the juices from the slow cooker when serving.
I made this recipe last year, and it’s in the crock pot right now for tonight’s St. Patrick’s Day dinner! It is easy and wonderful. As usual, I add extra pickling spices and garlic. Excellent recipe!
BUY 2 when you see them in the stores, around us they go QUICK !
How much Guinness would I use, Holly, and how much water? Getting this ready for the crock pot now.
Many readers substitute beer for water. You can add 12oz Guinness and the remaining liquid as water.
I’m starting this tonight for Saint Patrick’s day tomorrow. I’m going to substitute the water for beer and go low and slow in the ip slow cook mode. Fingers crossed.
Holly,
Do I need to braise the corned beef first as many recipe say to do?.
We prepare this recipe as written without any additional steps. Enjoy!
thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
Best corned beef and cabbage I’ve ever eaten! And very easy to make!
Could you tell me how long I should cook a 5 pound corned beef brisket flat cut in a slow cooker on low? Thank you.
I suspect it will take 2 hours longer than the 4 pound version. I would love to hear how it turns out!
Hi, do you use the flat or the point corn beef? And also I’m not a big fan of cooked cabbage but my husband is Will the cabbage overpower what else in the crock pot?
I’ve used both and find they’re basically the same for this recipe. The cabbage is a big part of this recipe so it does add flavor.
Hi Holly! This sounds so delicious! I cannot wait to make it! I bought the corned beef “point” cut. Will that work?? Thanks so much for sharing!!
Love all of your recipes! :)
That should work just fine Lauren! Enjoy!
This recipe assumes you’re cooking with a seasoned and ready to use corned beef cut. Can you add any further detail on how to cure/brine your brisket to begin with? Really looking forward to making this. Thanks!!!
I have only purchased corned beef that has already been brined for this recipe and not done it myself so I can’t say for sure Lili.
Hi. This recipe looks great! What cut of corned beef did you use? Thanks!
I use a beef brisket. Enjoy Sam!
Delicious, I never thought of using bay leaves In corned beef, even though I have some! It does add a little something extra to the dish. I’ve also never used garlic in my corned beef, now I always will! Thanks!
My first time making this sort of dish and followed recipe to the T. I have nothing to compare it to, but my significant other said it was absolutely amazing! Corned beef was flavorful and tender, potatoes done perfectly, cabbage had that crunch to it but was done! Another recipe score! He said “I have no idea what you could add to it to make it even better! Thank you!
I’m not finished making this yet but I want to point out a big inconsistency… 3 cups of water barely covers the bottom of a 6 qt slow cooker, let alone almost covering the corned beef. Did you mean 3 qts? Tell me soon!
The corned beef will not be completely covered in liquid for us, it reaches part way up the corned beef. You can add a little bit ore liquid if needed.
Good flavors but my potatoes and carrots were mush. I think I will steam them seperate next time to not chance them turning to mush. Not sure why since other people that commented had no issues ♀️
Followed the recipe but put the carrots in an hour later than the potatoes. When I went to put the cabbage in, the potatoes and carrots were disintegrating into the liquid. Wayyyy too early to put the veg in. Now I have a ruined dinner.
Oh no, I am sorry to hear that Sarah! When cooking this dish on low we have never had that issue so I am not sure what happened but that is disappointing.