Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage {Crock Pot Recipe} (2024)

By Karrie on | Updated | 90 Comments

This Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is the BEST St. Patrick’s Day meal. Simply add the juicy corned beef, carrots, onion and potatoes to your crock pot. Let it slowly cook all day until your corned beef is tender, and the flavors come together. Simple, easy and oh -so delicious.

If you own a pressure cooker you’ll also want to check out my Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe which cooks up perfectly in less than 2 hours!

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage {Crock Pot Recipe} (1)

Hello lads and lassies! You ready to get your Irish on?

Although some would argue that Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage isn’t traditional Irish food, for our family it’s about as close as we get.

Every year we have a fun St. Patrick’s Day dinner. We make corned beef and cabbage, Irish brown bread, and drink root beer floats. Then for dessert, we dig into some yummy creme de menthe brownies. The kids really enjoy when we celebrate the holidays. This is a great way to do that.

I have to say, I didn’t start making corned beef and cabbage until about 6 years ago. I really did not want to do it. It just didn’t sound like something I would enjoy. I do like cabbage, but I pictured the meat tasting all funky like. I decided I would be brave and make some, and decided to invite a few friends over who also had never had it. Every one of them loved it! They were all pleasantly surprised, just as I was. The meat was so tender, and the flavor was really good! If you happen to be one of “us” who are afraid of trying new foods, I promise this meal won’t disappoint. Go for it!

WHAT IS CORNED BEEF?

Corned beef is made from beef brisket. The meat goes through a long curing process using large grains of rock salt and then it is brined. Next, it is slowly cooked where it takes a tough cut of beef into one that is super tender and flavorful!

CAN YOU FREEZE CORNED BEEF?

Yes, you can! You can cook raw or cooked corned beef. Just place it in a gallon-size zippered bag and seal it, removing as much air as possible and freeze. Raw corned beef is best used within one month as it will start to have flavor loss. Cooked corned beef can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

To thaw & cook the raw corned beef: Let it thaw completely in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours and cook in your crock pot as directed below.

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE?

To make this Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe just start by rinsing off and preparing your onion, carrots, and potatoes. Peel and cut carrots into thirds and cut onions into fourths. Peel and cut up potatoes if you’re using russets, or just rinse if you’re using baby reds or a medley variety.

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Place onions and carrots on the bottom of a large crock pot. Next remove roast from packing, making sure to remove any seasoning packet that may be inside. Place roast along with juices from package inside the crock pot on top of the onions and carrots. Season with the seasoning packet that it came with if you choose. Add two cups of water. Place potatoes all around the roast. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.

By the way, I love my crock pot. If you’re in the market for a new one, this is the one.

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After that has cooked for 8 hours or so, take your head of cabbage and rinse it well. Cut the head into fourths.

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Open crock pot and place the pieces of cabbage right on top. Cook another 2 hours on high to steam the cabbage to perfection.

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Remove meat and veggies from the crock potand add to a platter. Enjoy!

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Below is the printable version of the recipe for your convenience.

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage {Crock Pot Recipe} (9)

Recipe Card

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Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Published By Karrie

Course Main

Cuisine American, Irish

Keyword corned beef and cabbage, Crock Pot, irish, slow cooker

Servings 12 Slices

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 hours hrs

Total Time 10 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

This Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is so tender, and the flavor is really good. Your Saint Patrick’s Day meal has never been easier!

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lb corned beef roast
  • 2 small yellow onions
  • 10 medium carrots
  • 10 baby medley variety potatoes
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 head of cabbage

Instructions

  • Rinse and prepare your onion, carrots and potatoes. Peel and cut carrots in thirds and cut onions in fourths. Peel and cut up potatoes if you’re using russets, or just rinse if you’re using baby reds or a medley variety. Set aside.

  • Place onions and carrots on the bottom of a large crock pot. Next remove roast from packing, making sure to remove any seasoning packet that may be inside. Place roast along with juices from package inside the crock pot on top of the onions and carrots. Season with the seasoning packet that it came with if you choose. Add two cups of water. Place potatoes all around the roast. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.

  • Take your head of cabbage and rinse. Cut the head into fourths. Open crock pot and place the pieces of cabbage right on top. Cook another 2 hours on high. Remove meat and veggies from crock pot and add to a platter. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1205mg | Potassium: 861mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 8565IU | Vitamin C: 69.9mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2.6mg

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More St. Paddy’s Day Recipes

  • Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Homemade Corned Beef Hash
  • Creme De Menthe Brownies
  • Irish Brown Bread Recipe
  • Make Ahead Green Smoothies

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage {Crock Pot Recipe} (10)

About Karrie

Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage {Crock Pot 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.

Is corned beef better boiled or crock pot? ›

Slow Cook. Cooking corned beef in a slow cooker has all the benefits of boiling, but you don't have to keep watch while it cooks. Place a quartered onion, a carrot, a couple of garlic cloves, and a few stalks of celery in the slow cooker. You can also add potatoes if you like.

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.

Why is my corned beef in the crock pot rubbery? ›

Cooking Over a High Temperature

When cooked on high for too long, corned beef is likely to turn out tough and chewy rather than soft and tender. Instead: Regardless of the cooking method, corned beef is best cooked over low heat.

Does corned beef go in crockpot fat side up or down? ›

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.

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.

What not to do when cooking corned beef? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Corned Beef
  1. Not rinsing the meat before cooking. ...
  2. Cooking over a high temperature. ...
  3. Not filling the pot with enough water. ...
  4. Not cooking the meat long enough. ...
  5. Cutting the meat incorrectly.

Can you leave corned beef in the crock pot too long? ›

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.

What is the secret to best corned beef? ›

Because corned beef comes from brisket, a tough cut of meat. You need its connective tissue to break down so you can have tender results. Some like to braise their corned beef in an all-water liquid, with various spices and salt; others add beer to the mix to further tenderize the meat.

Can you overcook corned beef in crockpot? ›

Yes, you can over cook anything really. But it would take a long time to overcook corned beef in the crockpot. Corned beef can easily cook on low for 10-12 hours without issues. If you cook it longer it will eventually begin to disintegrate.

What cooking method is best for corned beef? ›

Boiling is the most common method, but you can also slow cook, bake, grill, or pan-fry your corned beef. Each method has its distinct flavor and cooking process, so it's worth trying them all to find the best fit for you. The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling.

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. Place the meat into the cooker and add enough cold water to cover. Add the pickling spices, cover, and cook on high for 6–8 hours.

Why does my corned beef look GREY in the crock pot? ›

The color difference is due to one ingredient: nitrates, either in the form of sodium nitrate or saltpeter, added into the salty brine that gives brisket its corned taste and flavor.

How do you know when corned beef is done in a crock pot? ›

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.

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 have to be fully submerged? ›

Even cooking: Ensuring that the corned beef is fully submerged in water helps to cook it evenly. This is because water is a better conductor of heat than air, so the meat will cook more quickly and evenly when submerged in liquid [2].

Should corned beef be cooked in liquid? ›

A long, slow simmer is the key to this Irish favorite. Corned beef is a salt-cured cut of beef brisket, which is a tougher cut of beef requiring long, slow cooking in liquid to tenderize. A staple for St. Patrick's Day, this easy-to-follow guide will make corned beef so tender you'll want to make it year-round.

Does all meat need to be covered 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.

Do you use the liquid in corned beef? ›

Do you use the liquid in corned beef? - Quora. Yes. Just add the brine to your cooking liquid for additional flavoring. The brine often contains salt and a mix of spices such as a bay leaf, peppercorns, mustard seed, juniper berries, coriander seed, and whole cloves.

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