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

Does corned beef need to be in liquid in a slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

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

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.

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.

Should you brown corned beef before slow cooking? ›

How Do You Cook Corned Beef Brisket In a Crockpot? Check the recipe below. It's really easy, all you have to do is add all the ingredients and cook on the preferred setting. Similarly, you can brown the brisket on the one side before adding it to the slow cooker, this way it will have a crispier top.

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

Place corned beef brisket, fat side up, into a slow cooker; sprinkle with pickling spice. Place whole cloves throughout the brisket. Add garlic, bay leaves and 2 cups water, or more water as needed to cover the brisket by at least 1 inch. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours.

What is the secret to the best corned beef? ›

Simmering corned beef on the stovetop is a tried-and-true method that results in very tender beef. One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the pot. When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result.

Should you use the juice in the corned beef package? ›

To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine.

How to tell when corned beef is done in a 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.

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

Not filling the pot with enough water.

One of the keys to getting there is the amount of water in the pot. From start to finish, when there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef might be crushed with a tough, chewy result.

What happens if you don't rinse corned beef? ›

Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland! The flavor is infused deep into the beef during the curing process.

Do you put water or broth in corned beef? ›

Cover the brisket with corned beef seasoning. Pour beef broth into the slow cooker with the brisket. You can also use half broth and half beer if you'd like. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.

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.

What happens if you don't put liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn." If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

Should meat be submerged in liquid in slow cooker? ›

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.

Should corned beef be completely covered in liquid? ›

Remove Corned Beef from package and place in crock pot and completely cover with water.

Can you put no liquid in slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker does not need any liquid added at the beginning of the cooking process, because it will generate steam, which will become liquid in the bowl. For recipes that use liquid, and have not been written specifically for a slow cooker it make sense to reduce the amount of liquid by half.

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