I love making this Corned Beef Crock Pot recipe. It’s so easy and turns out delicious every time. For a big St. Patrick’s Day feast it’s great paired with my 30 minute Shepherd’s Pie recipe but we love it year around and the leftovers are so tasty too!
Updated with instructions for Instant pot corned beef and cabbage.
We wait all year to have this meal in my family. Ever since I was a little girl we would celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Corned Beef and I LOOOOVED it. I would wear my giant green pin that said “A Wee Bit Irish” and look forward to Corned Beef and Cabbage and green lemonade for dinner.
We still get together for this treat every year. I pull out my St. Patrick’s Day pillows, make some St. Paddy’s Snack mix and finish the meal with either Rainbow Fondue or Easy Key Lime Pie. For us corned beef on St. Pat’s is just as much as a staple as cooking ham on Easter!
It is the BEST. Often we’ll buy extra corned beef roasts and make this later on in the year, especially for Father’s Day since it’s my dad’s very favorite!
What We Love About Cooking Corned Beef in Crock Pot
Growing up I never knew it could be so easy to make corned beef but today I’m sharing the absolute easiest recipe for corned beef that you can make right in your crock pot. It doesn’t have to be saved for March though.
This corned beef crock pot recipe is simple and should be enjoyed as much as oven fried chicken, easy crock pot white chili or my other favorite slow cooker roast!
- Super easy and foolproof! This is literally a stick everything in and the the crock pot do the magic type of recipe. In fact even if you have never cooked anything in your life I promise you can make this!
- Delicious rich flavorful meat. This recipe gives you tender corned beef with the perfect texture. I’ve had other corned beef that was all dried out (boo) so I was always nervous to try it. But with this technique you get flavorful, moist meat every single time!
- Reliable cooking. This turns out perfect every single time. No guesswork.
- This makes the best leftovers. We like to make enough that everyone can take some home.
- You can cook the corned beef and cabbage with potatoes in one shot or you can cook the corned beef all on it’s own.
If you want you can can even cook the potatoes and cabbage right there with it but I personally like to do those separate.
I like to have more control over the doneness and seasonings of the sides so I’ll tell you how I get the mingled flavor at the end.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe Ingredients
Do you need to rinse your corned beef? Nope. I do not. I know other people who do. If you want a more mild flavor you certainly can.
- Corned Beef – one package, it comes in a brine with seasoning pack from the grocery store.
- Water – I just use tap water
I almost always cook my corned beef by itself. I tend to stuff the slow cooker full so there’s not much room for potatoes or cabbage but you can absolutely cook everything together.
Even if you want to cook them separately there’s a great trick for getting that slow simmered flavor even if your crock pot is bursting with beef.
That being said feel free to eat corned beef with Mac and Cheese or something else. But since I get so many questions about potatoes and cabbage I’m including information for preparing those too.
- Potatoes – I like to use small red potatoes
- Cabbage – Whole head, cut into wedges
How to Make Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker
- Place the corned beef in your crock pot (I like this one).
- Top with the seasoning pack that comes with the corned beef.
- Pour 1 and 1/2 cups of water into the packaging the corned beef was in to get the last bits of flavor that stuck and pour that on top of your the beef.
- Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Should you cook corned beef on high or on low? It’s really up to you and how much time you have. I have done both and can honestly say I do not have a preference. Just go by how much time you have to work with.
How to Cook Corned Beef Cabbage and Potatoes in the Crock Pot
So easy right? Now if you also want cabbage you can just throw it on top during the last few hours of cooking or what I prefer to do is boil the cabbage with a big ladle or two of the cooking juices from the corned beef.
I feel like sometimes when I add the cabbage in with the corned beef it’s really easy for it to get super salty. I love salt too so that’s saying something.
To cook the potatoes in the crock pot add them when you have 4 hours left before serving. Then add the cabbage when you have 2 hours left before serving.
How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage in the Instant Pot
Want to make use your pressure cooker to make corned beef? You bet you can do that.
Put the corned beef in the insert with the water and seasoning packet. Cook on manual or high pressure for 90 minutes and allow to natural pressure release for at least 12 minutes.
Remove the meat and while you are letting it rest cook your cabbage and potatoes for 5 minutes on high and then do a quick release.
How to Make Mustard Glazed Corned Beef
My family loves their corn beef with a sweet mustard glaze but even though I am firmly in the mustard is not edible camp I will share my mom’s recipe with you lol.
Mix 2-3 TBS yellow mustard with 1 cup brown sugar. Mix it together and adjust to your taste. Spread over the top of your cooked corned beef roast in an oven proof dish. And then broil until it’s nice and pretty.
What to do with Corned Beef Leftovers!
Our favorite part of having Corned Beef is gobbling up the leftovers. We will make extra just so we can have a good stash to eat for the rest of the week.
It will last for about a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator or if you have a lot extra put it in the freezer. I love pulling it out to throw on baked potatoes or nachos!
- Open face Corned beef cheese and avocado melts
- Corned Beef Egg Scramble (or omelette)
- Corned Beef Pastry Squares
- Corned Beef Mac and Cheese
- Reuben Sandwiches
- Homemade Pizza
The Best Crock Pot Corned Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package corned beef
- 1 1/2 C Water
Instructions
- Place the corned beef in your crock pot.
- Top with the seasoning pack that comes with the corned beef.
- Pour 1 and 1/2 cups of water into the packaging the corned beef was in to get the last bits of flavor that stuck and pour that on top of your the beef.
- Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Notes
How to Cook Cabbage and Potatoes
I prefer to cook my cabbage and potatoes separately from my corned beef. To get a good flavor I boil the cabbage and potatoes with a big ladle or two of the cooking juices from the corned beef. To cook the potatoes in the crock pot add them when you have 4 hours left before serving. Then add the cabbage when you have 2 hours left before serving.Instant Pot Directions
To cook this in the Instant Pot add the water and corned beef and cook on high pressure or manual for 90 minutes and natural pressure release for at least 12 minutes. If cooking potatoes and cabbage remove cooked meat and add veggies in and cook for 5 minutes on high or manual with a quick release.
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Check out this delicious Fancy Beef recipe for the slow cooker.
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Tara says
Yum, we love corned beef around here, too! Have you ever tried cooking it in apple juice? Someone gave me that tip in a checkout line one year and I decided to go ahead and try it. It was delicious!
Becki says
I LOVE doing my corned beef in the crockpot! I actually mix a little brown sugar with the water and pour that over the corned beef along with about 12oz. of beer (like Guinness). Sometimes I spread a little mustard over the top of the corned beef as well to add a little more flavor. Delish!
Mother of 3 says
SO simple. I usually make a mustard and brown sugar glaze to put on our corned beef but i don’t think I’ve ever tried to cook it in the crock pot!
Karen Kehoe says
I have always hated corned beef until my friend made it one year and I LOVED it! I’ve made it MANY times and it’s always a big hit! I did the Guinness CB one time. I usually do water, in the crockpot. After it is done, make a “glaze” with 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 cup brown sugar, then add enough yellow mustard to make a “thick liquid” paste/glaze. Pour on top of CB, then cook in a 350 degree oven for 15 min. Y U M :D
Michelle Preston says
Try it, I did one last week for 9 hrs on low, the slower you cook itit, the more tender it is, LOW AND SLOW chef said!😉
Nancy @ Little Homestead in Boise says
Looks good! Sometimes I make 2 as they do shrink a LOT…
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
I can eat a whole thing of corned beef by myself, like POUNDS of it. I digress…
I guess I should have known it could be done in the crockpot, but I’ve always used the stove. The crockpot will be such a lifesaver. It means I can start it all before work & have DELICIOUS corned beef when I return home. Yum
marissa says
yes now you can make as much as you want to your hearts content!
Karen Kehoe says
But you HAVE to try the glaze after it’s done in the crockpot. I gave the recipe above. Pour it over the CB after it’s done in the crockpot, then cook in oven at 350 degrees for 15 min. You will LOVE it!!!
Jamie says
That looks delicious!! Going to be making this next month, so pinning this to try! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Margaret cebuhar says
I use a can of beer instead of water. Have been doing it this way for probably 35 years. Wouldn^t do it any other way.
marissa says
Thanks for the tip I’ll have to try that!
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
My husband is obsessed with corn beef and I had no idea where to start to make this at home instead of in the can. Glad you shared this! Thanks for linking up with delicious dishes recipe party!
leesa says
Yum. I am trying this. However, it was hard to see your post, there were SO many adds that is had to restart the page a few times.
marissa says
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll have to look into that!
Suzanne says
Sometimes you just need the easy instructions and not a fancy recipe. Thank you!!
Jennifer says
Love this recipe! So easy. However, I use beef broth instead of water. Make a richer taste.
LindaK says
I pop the brisket and its spice packet in the crocker, pour a can or bottle of beer over…any cheap swill will do…Set to high for 3-4 hours depending on size. Voila! Rueben heaven!k
marissa says
that sounds really good
Sherry says
First time cooking corned beef in the crock pot sounds like it’s going to be wonderful can’t wait. I also had a hard time viewing the recipe because of so many ads.
Natasha Carter says
Making this today! As I type! I’m gonna use chicken broth instead of water this time! We love corned beef in house hold mmmmmm
marissa says
sounds delicious!
Julie says
Should the meat be covered with n liquid?
marissa says
it doesn’t have to be
Beatrice says
How much water do you use if cooking 2?
marissa says
You shouldn’t need any more water
Beatrice says
How much water do I use if cooking two corned beef briskets? I made this recipe for one and it was delicious and want to try with two now. Thank you!!
marissa says
I haven’t ever done two at a time in one pot but if I were to try I’d just do the same amount of water or increase it by 1/2.
Marsha Golt says
Is the fat side up or down?
marissa says
I’ve done it both ways I don’t think it makes a difference
C.cook says
Should you rinse the corned beef before cooking since it is so salty.
marissa says
I do not. if you want it less salty you definitely can. I know some people do rinse it.
Brandie Benson says
Really good I’ve never made or really had it before but it was easy and good I did cook the veggies with it but next time I won’t I prefer the cabbage fried if there is any left I am going to make hash with it
marissa says
So happy enjoyed it! I’m jealous of your leftover hash!
Julia says
It’s been years since I had corned beef & cabbage. I always remember my Mom lamenting how badly the meat shrank when she cooked it. Since it ’twas the season I decided “what the heck” and bought a 2 1/2 lb piece of point cut corned beef. I did rinse the meat before cooking to remove some of the salt and collected the salty/greasy water in a bowl that got tossed so I wouldn’t clog the drain.
I cooked it for 10 hours in the slow cooker with onions, potatoes and garlic. I followed your recommendation and took a cup of the brine and in a separate pot cooked the cabbage and carrots. At the end I made the brown sugar/mustard sauce, applied it to the lean side and broiled it. IT WAS AMAZING! There was very little shrinkage and the meat and vegetables were teaming with savory flavors.
marissa says
awwww yay so glad you enjoyed it
GeoJan Wright says
Made this recipe, using 1/2 the water and the rest Bud Light Beer. Best recipe ever. The corned beef was very flavorful. Did cabbage and potatoes separately with a spicy sausage. Will make again.
marissa says
that sounds good!