My Favorite Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
This is my go-to crock pot corned beef recipe. It makes the whole house smell wonderful. I love how easy it is. You just put everything in and let it cook.
It makes the most tender corned beef you can imagine. The meat just falls apart. This is the best corned beef recipe for busy days. It feels like a hug from your kitchen.
A Little Story About This Meal
I first made this for my grandson. He thought “corned” beef had corn in it. I still laugh at that. He was so surprised when he saw the pink brisket.
He helped me put the spice packet in the pot. We added the garlic and bay leaves together. Now, it’s our special St. Patrick’s Day recipe. Do you have a cooking memory with your family?
Why This Way Works So Well
Knowing how to cook corned beef slow and low is the secret. The slow cooker cabbage gets sweet and soft. It soaks up all the good flavors from the pot.
This matters because tough meat becomes a tender dream. The vegetables cook perfectly without getting mushy. *Fun fact: “corned” comes from the big salt grains, or “corns,” used to cure the beef!*
Putting It All Together
Start with your corned beef brisket in the pot. Cover it with water. Let it cook alone for a few hours. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Then add your potatoes and carrots. Finally, tuck in the cabbage wedges. This order keeps each vegetable just right. What’s your favorite vegetable in a stew?
More Than Just a Meal
This easy corned beef and cabbage is about sharing. It makes a big pot of food for everyone. You can talk and laugh while it cooks.
That matters to me. Food tastes better when it brings people together. This slow cooker corned beef and cabbage recipe does just that. Will you try making it this year?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corned beef brisket (with spice packet) | 3 to 4 pounds | Uncooked |
| Onion | 1 | Chopped into large chunks |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Sliced |
| Bay leaves | 2 | |
| Water | 2 ½ to 3 cups | Enough to just cover the beef |
| Potatoes | 2 pounds | Peeled and quartered |
| Carrots | 2 large | Chopped |
| Green cabbage | 1 small head | Cut into wedges |
Instructions
Step 1: First, grab your onion and chop it into big chunks. Place them in your slow cooker. This is the cozy bed for your corned beef brisket. Lay the meat right on top and sprinkle that spice packet over it. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? This is the start of your best corned beef recipe.
Step 2: Now, pour in water until it almost covers your crock pot corned beef. Toss in the sliced garlic and those two bay leaves. The bay leaves add a special, gentle flavor. (A hard-learned tip: don’t skip the bay leaves!). Your slow cooker corned beef and cabbage is starting to come together.
Step 3: Put the lid on and cook on low for 8-10 hours. This long, slow cook is the secret to tender corned beef. I love how it makes the whole house smell wonderful. After three hours, we’ll add more. What vegetable do you think goes in next? Share below!
Step 4: After three hours, add your peeled potatoes and chopped carrots. Just nestle them into the liquid around the meat. They will soak up all that delicious flavor. This easy corned beef and cabbage recipe does most of the work for you. I still laugh at how simple it is.
Step 5: Two hours before eating, tuck the cabbage wedges into your slow cooker. The slow cooker cabbage will become so soft and tasty. Finally, let the meat rest before slicing. This keeps it juicy. You just mastered how to cook corned beef!
Creative Twists
Swap carrots for parsnips for a sweet, earthy flavor. Add a splash of stout beer to the cooking water. Use the leftover broth to cook lentils the next day. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This is one of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes to share. Serve it right from the pot for a cozy family supper. A grainy mustard on the side is perfect for dipping. Some warm, buttered soda bread makes it a feast. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Corned Beef Cozy for Later
Let’s talk about storing this lovely meal. Your slow cooker corned beef and cabbage keeps well. Place leftovers in a sealed container. They will be happy in the fridge for three days.
You can also freeze it for a month. I freeze the meat and veggies separately. This keeps everything tasting fresh. My first time, I froze it all together. The cabbage got a bit too soft for my liking.
Reheating is simple. Warm it gently on the stove with a splash of water. This easy corned beef and cabbage deserves care. Batch cooking matters. It gives you a ready-made feast on a busy night. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Little Fixes for a Perfect Meal
Home cooks sometimes face small issues. I have three easy fixes for you. First, if your meat seems tough, you cooked it too fast. Always use the low setting on your crock pot corned beef.
Second, soggy vegetables are no fun. Add them at different times, just like the recipe says. I remember when I added everything at once. The potatoes nearly disappeared! Third, a too-salty broth can happen. Rinse the brisket before cooking if it’s very salty.
Fixing these issues builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavor just right. You will get that tender corned beef you want. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the best cut of meat for corned beef and cabbage?
The best cut is a corned beef brisket. It is what you find at the store labeled “corned beef.” This cut becomes wonderfully tender when cooked low and slow. It has the perfect texture for slicing. Always look for a packet of spices included with the brisket for the best corned beef recipe flavor.
How do you keep corned beef from getting tough?
The secret is gentle, slow heat. Use your slow cooker on the low setting. Cook it for the full 8 to 10 hours. Do not rush it with high heat. Letting the meat rest before you slice it also helps. This is the key to how to cook corned beef that melts in your mouth.
What are good side dishes to serve with corned beef and cabbage?
This dish is a full meal with potatoes and carrots. But you can add more. I love warm, crusty bread with butter. A simple mustard sauce is also lovely. Some people enjoy pickled beets on the side. These St. Patrick’s Day recipes are all about hearty, comforting food that fills your belly happily.
Can you cook corned beef and cabbage in a slow cooker?
Yes, absolutely! A slow cooker is my favorite way. It makes the most tender corned beef. Just put the brisket and spices in first. Add water, then your veggies later. Your crock pot corned beef will cook all day while you do other things. It is the easiest corned beef and cabbage recipe.
What is the difference between corned beef and pastrami?
Both start as beef brisket. Corned beef is cured in salty brine with spices. Pastrami is cured too, but then it is smoked and coated with peppercorns. Corned beef is usually boiled or slow-cooked. Pastrami is typically steamed or smoked again before serving. They are like flavorful cousins!
How do you make a glaze for corned beef?
A simple glaze adds a sweet crust. Mix mustard, brown sugar, and a little vinegar. Spread it over the brisket for the last hour of cooking. You can do this in the slow cooker or under a broiler. It gives your slow cooker cabbage and meat a delicious, sticky-sweet finish everyone loves.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this cozy meal. It fills the house with a wonderful smell. *Fun fact: “corning” refers to the large salt crystals once used to cure the beef.*
This is one of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes. But it is perfect for any chilly day. I love hearing your stories and tips. Have you tried this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below. I read every one.
Happy cooking!
—Elena Rutherford
Hearty Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper
Description
Corned Beef and Cabbage Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients
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.
Notes
- Nutrition Information: Calories: 592 | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 2817mg | Potassium: 1653mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3545IU | Vitamin C: 136.9mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 9.5mg