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

Should corned beef be completely covered in water in crock pot? ›

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can you overcook corned beef in a crock pot? ›

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.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

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. Corned beef may still be pink in color after cooking. This does not mean it is not done. Nitrite is used in the curing process.

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.

Is it better to boil or slow cook corned beef? ›

Corned beef is a brisket that has been brined. It is often sold precooked, but if you have purchased it raw, the best way to cook corned beef is slowly. You can bake, boil, or cook it in your slow cooker, but the key to a tender, flavorful meal requires at least a few hours.

What tenderizes corned beef? ›

Slow-cooking corned beef is an effective way to achieve tender results with minimal hands-on time. Simply turn on the slow cooker in the morning, then go about your day without worry, leaving the house if need be, while your meat magically tenderizes.

Does corned beef go fat side 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.

How do you know when corned beef is done in a slow cooker? ›

Remove the lid and insert a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). You can also insert a fork to test if it is done.

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.

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.

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.

Should meat be fully submerged in crock pot? ›

There is no need to cover the meat in liquid when cooking with a slow cooker, you only need enough liquid to cover the base of the slow cooker as the meat and vegetables will release liquid as they cook. Slow cooking beef is a simple and soothing winter option that never goes out of style.

Does meat need to be submerged in liquid in crock pot? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

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