Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (2024)

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Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage creates tender, fall-apart beef and warm, flavorful veggies and potatoes, all in this simple Crock Pot recipe.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (1)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish recipe. BUT it is an Irish-American tradition to make it on St. Patrick's Day.

This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage is a super simple recipe that you can throw in your Crock Pot in the morning, and it will be ready by dinner time.

The way the cabbage is packed in the slow cooker keeps the corned beef and cabbage juicy and fall-apart tender. Plus, with the meat, veggies, and potatoes all in one Crock Pot, it's already a no fuss, full meal!

What to Serve With Corned Beef and Cabbage

This Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is already basically a whole meal.

It has the corned beef, plus carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. Meat, veggies, and potatoes, all taken care of.

If you don't love the cabbage from the Crock Pot, you can always saute some extra in butter. Or for a fresher option, just serve with a fresh salad.

How to Make Corned Beef Super Tender

  • Buy the right cut. There are generally three cuts of corned beef brisket: the point, the flat, and the whole cut. A point cut is going to be the fattier, marbled portion, which is great because it will keep the meat tender, but in my opinion it's too fatty by itself. The flat is the leaner cut, but lean meat usually means less juicy in general. The whole cut on the other hand is a combination of both worlds because it is both cuts of meat. There is fatty and lean meat on the same brisket, making the whole brisket the best choice.
  • Low and slow - Corned beef brisket needs to be cooked low and slow, which makes it perfect for the slow cooker, as in this recipe. If your brisket did turn out dry, there's a pretty good chance you didn't cook it long enough or you cooked it at too high of a temperature.
  • Use enough water. The water should almost submerge the brisket. I like to just make sure the spices and fat on top are still showing.
  • Cook it fat side up. This will allow the juices to run down and keep the brisket moist.
  • Cut it the right way. Surprisingly, if meat is cut the wrong way, it can feel chewy, even if cooked properly. Always cut your meat against the grain.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (2)

What Dessert Goes with Corned Beef and Cabbage?

Since we usually make slow cooker corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day, I like to serve it with a festive dessert.

Some bite sized dessert ideas to serve after your corned beef are these mint chocolate chip cookies, mint Oreo truffles, or mint chocolate pretzel bites.

For a fancier, but festive dessert, I like these light (and low calorie!) mint chocolate meringues, or this creamy grasshopper pie.

But my favorite way to end the meal is with a sweet drink, like this mint white hot chocolate or some coffee with this homemade Irish cream coffee creamer. Add some Bailey's to either drink for a festive night cap.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (3)

More Recipes You'll Love

  • Reuben Casserole - great way to use up leftovers!
  • Reuben Dip - delicious, festive appetizer!
  • Grasshopper Pie - creamy, minty, green, and festive for St. Pat's!
  • ALL St Patrick's Day Ideas!

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (4)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage creates tender, fall-apart beef and warm, flavorful veggies and potatoes, all in this simple Crock Pot recipe.

4.95 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Corned Beef, Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 603kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium red potatoes quartered
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 large onion wedged
  • 3.5 pounds Corned beef brisket (either pre-spiced or one that comes with a spice packet)
  • 1 cabbage wedged
  • 3-5 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds

Instructions

  • Place potatoes, carrots, and onions in the bottom of your slow cooker.

  • Place corned beef brisket on top of veggies. Pack the cabbage wedges around the edges of the slow cooker, between the dish and the brisket. It should be packed pretty tightly as this helps the corned beef stay juicy.

  • Pour water into the slow cooker. I try not to pour it directly on top of the brisket so the spices don't come off.

  • Add your caraway seeds and spice packet, if you have one. I like to add a couple stray cabbage leaves on the very top, too.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Notes

  • Use a whole cut corned beef brisket, which is both the flat and point cuts together. The whole cut will give you both fatty and marbling to keep the brisket juicy, and lean parts to keep it from being too fatty or chewy.
  • Be sure to put the corned beef in the slow cooker fat side up so that the meat will stay tender.It's also worth spending a couple extra dollars to make sure you have a good quality brisket.
  • Add Guiness beer for extra festive flavor. Just add one 12 ounce bottle at the same time as the water.
  • If you're using a larger corned beef brisket than the recipe indicates (3.5 pounds), add additional water to keep the meat moist and tender. Use about 1 additional cup of water per additional pound.

Nutrition facts are for about ⅙ of the brisket (about 9 ounces), plus a portion of the cabbage, ⅓ cup carrots, and 3 potato wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 2634mg | Potassium: 811mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 6030IU | Vitamin C: 82.8mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 5.4mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE NOTES: This post was originally published in March 2015. It has been updated in March 2020 with new pictures, video, and some helpful cooking tips based on readers' questions.

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should corned beef be covered in water in slow cooker? ›

Yes, corned beef should be covered with water in a slow cooker. This is important to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process. It is also important to ensure that the water level is high enough to fully submerge the meat, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly.

Do you drain liquid from corned beef and cabbage? ›

When the meat is almost done, and you are about an hour from dinner, ladle out most of the cooking liquid and place in a large, heavy bottomed cooking pot.

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.

How do you know when corned beef is done in 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.

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.

How many hours does it take to cook corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

Is it better to cook corned beef on high or low? ›

Turn the crock pot to the low setting and let the slow cooker corned beef cook for 8 to 10 hours. This extended cooking time makes the meat tender, juicy and flavorful.

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.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer it is cooked? ›

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. 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.

Do you use the juice 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.

What are the secrets to cooking corned beef? ›

To prepare, rinse the corned beef under cold water to remove any excess salt and pat dry. Place the corned beef in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the corned beef to cook for about 3-4 hours until it is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

What is the red liquid in corned beef package? ›

Blood is removed from beef during slaughter and only a small amount remains within the muscle tissue. Since beef is about 3/4 water, this natural moisture combined with protein is the source of the liquid in the package.

Is it better to slow cook on low or high? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Why is my slow cooked corned beef tough? ›

Not cooking the meat long enough.

Brisket, the cut typically used for corned beef, is a naturally tough cut of meat. Cooking this beef is a process that can't be rushed. Even when the meat is cooked through, it needs more time to transform the chewy bite into one that's deliciously tender.

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

Low Temperature: Slow cookers typically cook at relatively low temperatures, which can result in meats like corned beef not reaching a high enough temperature to break down the tough connective tissues and collagen properly. This can lead to a tougher texture rather than the desired tenderness.

Does meat in slow cooker have to be covered by water? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Is corned beef supposed to be submerged in water? ›

Yes, corned beef should be submerged in water when cooking it in a slow cooker. This is important for several reasons: Moisture and tenderness: Submerging the corned beef in water helps to keep the meat moist and tender during the slow cooking process [1].

Why is my crockpot corned beef dry? ›

**Overcooking**: Corned beef is a tough cut of meat that benefits from long, slow cooking to become tender. However, cooking it for too long can result in dry, tough meat. Even in a slow cooker, 8 hours on high heat may have been too long for your particular cut of corned beef.

Does the fat side of the corned beef go up or down in slow cooker? ›

Corned Beef Brisket should be placed in the crockpot or pot with the fat side up. The fat insulates and protects the meat and helps the corned beef from drying out as it cooks. Brisket / corned beef should have a thin layer of fat on the top. Sometimes the fat is super thick and needs to be trimmed.

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