How to Crockpot a Corned Beef

This Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage is a classic recipe that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any day of the year. The crockpot makes corned beef melt in your mouth tender.

The slow cooker is the BEST and EASIEST way to make corned beef! You can make this classic recipe below or my Guinness or Maple Mustard Corned Beef for St. Patrick's Day.

tray of corned beef and cabbage in front of slow cooker

What is corned beef and what cut should I buy?

Corned beef is salt-cured brisket. This is different than plain brisket which has not been cured.
Corned beef usually comes with a seasoning packet that often includes: bay leaves, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and dill seeds. This flavor packet creates a wonderfully flavored roast.
There are 2 cuts of corned beef; point cut or flat cut.
- Flat cut – easier to slice evenly (pictured below)
- Point cut – can have more marbling but usually not uniform in size.

Recipe Ingredients

Corned Beef – Flat cut or point cut, be sure to save the spice packet that comes with it!
Onions – Onions aren't tradionally added to corned beef but adds SO much flavor.
Potatoes – I use a mixture of baby red and gold potatoes
Carrots – Whole carrots, peeled and sliced thick
Garlic cloves (not pictured)- Peeled
Water – Helps keeps the entire dish moist, can use beef broth if desired.
Cabbage – About a 1/2 head, cut into thin wedges, that's all will fit in the slow cooker with all the other ingredients.

Step-by Step-Directions

collage of steps on adding ingredients to slow cooker for corned beef and cabbage

Step One – Add the onions to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step Two – Add the corned beef and seasoning packet.

Step Three – Add the carrots, potatoes, and garlic; you can peel the potatoes if you prefer. Add the water.

Step Four – You can add the cabbage now or add it during the last two hours of cooking. If you add now, the cabbage will be ultra-tender.

just done cooking corned beef and cabbage

Step Five – Cook on HIGH For five hours or LOW for 8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

What other kind of liquid can I add?

Water is the classic liquid used in crockpot corned beef and cabbage but feel free to try one of these other options for something different:

Beer – such as Guinness
Beef or chicken broth
Ginger ale – see this recipe from Just a Pinch
Add the brine – If you want more salty flavor, add the brine from the packaging.

When do I add the cabbage?

Everyone has their own preference for how long to cook cabbage in the slow cooker. In the video in the recipe card, I add the cabbage during the last 2 hours. I think that is a perfect amount of time for anyone who is cooking corned beef and cabbage for the first time to try.
You can add the cabbage at any point. If you want it ultra tender add it at the beginning. If you want it crisp, add during the last hour.

sliced corned beef on plate with carrots,and potatoes

What can I do to make this low carb?

Corned beef is low carb. Just be conscious of what else you add to the pot.

Use water for the liquid (don't use beer or other high carb liquid)
Omit the potatoes and use celery or cauliflower instead.

Can I add brown sugar to this recipe?

Brown sugar is great in corned beef; it adds depth of flavor and cuts back on the salty taste. Sprinkle two tablespoons over your corned beef before cooking.

How do I serve crock pot corned beef and cabbage?

Slice the meat against the grain.
If desired, drizzle melted butter over the potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.
Serve with horseradish or stone-ground mustard.

Leftover ideas:

Reuben Sandwiches
Corned Beef Hash – by Dinner, Then Dessert
Leftover Corned Beef Breakfast Sandwiches – by From Valerie's Kitchen

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close up of slow cooker corned beef and cabbage

▢ 2-4 lbs. Corned beef brisket (flat or point cut) (with seasoning packet that is included)
▢ 1 white onion, sliced (this is optional but good!)
▢ 2 lbs. red or gold potatoes (or a mixture of both!) Peel them if you'd like!
▢ 3 carrots sliced thick
▢ 2 garlic cloves peeled
▢ 1/2 head cabbage cut into thin wedges
▢ 1 1/2 cup water (or see notes below for other liquid ideas)

For serving:

▢ parsley for garnish
▢ melted butter for potatoes if desired
▢ horseradish or stone-ground mustard

Add the sliced onion to the slow cooker.
Add the corned beef to your slow cooker. Sprinkle over the included seasoning packet.
Add your baby potatoes on top of the roast. If your potatoes are larger you can halve them to ensure they get tender. Add the carrots and garlic.
Pour over the water. Add cabbage now if you want ultra-tender cabbage. Otherwise wait to add it until the last 2 hours.
Place the lid on the slow cooker.
Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 hours total. (Add the cabbage during the last 2 hours). You may have to rearrange things into the pot to get the cabbage to fit (or cut your cabbage thinner).
Remove the meat onto a cutting board and slice into strips.
Serve the meat with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Drizzle melted butter over the potatoes if desired. Serve with horseradish mustard or stone ground mustard.

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What cut of corned beef should I use?

Flat cut – easier to slice evenly (pictured below)
Point cut – can have more marbling but usually not uniform in size.
Both are great in this recipe. I usually choose whichever is cheaper.

Can I use a different liquid than water?

Water is most commonly used in making corned beef but one of these other liquids can be used:

Beer – such as Guinness
Beef or chicken broth
Ginger ale
Add the brine – If you want more salty flavor, add the brine from the packaging.

How can I make this meal low carb?

Corned beef is low carb! Be conscious of what else you add to the pot.

Use water for the liquid (don't use beer or other high carb liquid)
Omit the potatoes and use celery or cauliflower instead.

Can I add brown sugar to this recipe?

Brown sugar is great in corned beef, it adds depth of flavor and cuts back on the salty flavor. Sprinkle two tablespoons over your corned beef before cooking.

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Here are my other corned beef recipes and Irish inspired recipes:

Slow Cooker Reuben Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes
Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage
Slow Cooker Maple Mustard Corned Beef
Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Irish Cream Hot Cocoa
Beer Bread by Vintage Recipe Tin

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Source: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/