Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (2024)

ByCorey Created Updated

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Why do I only cook corned beef and cabbage once a year for St. Patrick’s Day? It is just so darn good and a cinch in the slow cooker. I need to remind myself to make this more often.

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Most corned beef brisket will come with a seasoning pack, but I muchprefermy homemade corned beef seasoning packet recipe! I love flavor and this recipe delivers just that. I hope you enjoy this Corned Beef Slow Cooker Recipe!

Looking for an INSTANT POT version of this recipe? I have my famous Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe right HERE!

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Can I freeze corned beef and cabbage?

You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze the corned beef, but I DON’T recommend freezing the veggies.

Do I have to use beer in this recipe?

No! If you want to cook this with out the beer, you can leave it out and sub in 8oz of water or low sodium beef broth.

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage

  • 5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 small onion, cut into wedges
  • 3 cups of water
  • 2 TBSP sugar
  • 2 TBSP vinegar
  • 8 oz beer
  • 4 lbs corned beef brisket
  • 1 (1 lb) bag of baby carrots
  • 1 lb small red potatoes, quartered
  • 1 head of green cabbage, cut into wedges
  • —- seasoning packet ingredients —–
  • {leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.}
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 bay leaves, crushed
  • 8 Allspice berries
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  1. First place onion wedges and garlic at the bottom of your 6-8qt crockpot. This is going to act as a stand for your meat, so it doesn’t touch the bottom and dry out.Place beef on top of onions and garlic.
  2. Next, mix together water, beer, sugar and vinegar.
  3. Pour over beef and then sprinkle seasoning packet over meat. If you are using my homemade corned beef seasoning recipe, simply mix together the mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of beef.Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (5)
  4. Set crockpot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
  5. After 4 hours of cooking, add in potatoes and carrots. Cover and continue cooking.Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (6)
  6. When 1 hour remains, add cabbage to the crockpot. Cover and continue cooking for the remainder of the time. After 8 hours, you will have an unforgettable dinner! Hope you enjoy this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe as much as I did!Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (7)

Got Leftovers? Make sure to pack them up for lunch!

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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (10)

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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (12)

4.89 from 27 votes

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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Never made corned beef? Not to worry! This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is so easy, you will wonder why you haven’t made it before!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 5-6 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 small onion cut into wedges
  • 3 cups of water
  • 2 TBSP sugar
  • 2 TBSP vinegar
  • 8 oz beer
  • 4 lbs corned beef brisket
  • 1 1 lb bag of baby carrots
  • 1 lb small red potatoes quartered
  • 1 head of green cabbage cut into wedges

—- seasoning packet ingredients —–

  • {leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.}
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 bay leaves crushed
  • 8 Allspice berries
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • First place onion wedges and garlic at the bottom of your crockpot. This is going to act as a stand for your meat, so it doesn’t touch the bottom and dry out. Place beef on top of onions and garlic.

  • Next, mix together water, beer, sugar and vinegar.

  • Pour over beef and they sprinkle seasoning packet over meat. If you are using my homemade corned beef seasoning packet, simply mix together the mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of beef.

  • Set crockpot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

  • After 4 hours of cooking, add in potatoes and carrots.Cover and continue cooking

  • When 1 hour remains, add cabbage to the crockpot. Cover and continue cooking for the remainder of the time.

Nutrition

Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 2968mg | Potassium: 1160mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 7855IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Looking for more St. Patrick Day Recipes?

  • Instant Pot St. Patrick’s Day Recipe
  • Reuben Sliders Recipe
  • Reuben Dip

Post Updated March 2023

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  1. Yum! I grew up on this stuff but haven’t made it in ages 🙂

    Reply

    1. Keeley, my little Irish queen 🙂 XO

      Reply

  2. What kind of beer do you use for this?

    Reply

    1. Rachel, you can use whatever you have on hand. I used a pale ale. But I really think any beer would be great! Hope that helps. XO

      Reply

  3. Is the corn beef tender this way? I’ve always made this on the stove top….and the meat is a little tough? Thoughts?

    Reply

    1. I thought it was pretty tender. The slow and low cooking style helps that a lot 🙂

      Reply

  4. This is very similiar ingredient wise to the recipe I have been making for years but since I don’t cook with any alcohol due to health reasons I have used apple juice for the liquid. I also cook it for ten hours rather then just eight and it comes out perfectly tender everytime. I always wondered what was in that packet and appreciate being able to make my own! Hopefully my apple juice idea will help anyone who needs an alternative for such a wonderful dish, it gives it a great flavor! Keep up the great work!!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for the tip Jennifer! I am sure there are a lot of people who will find that really helpful 🙂 XO

      Reply

      1. how much apple juice should i put in

        Reply

    2. I will be sure to try the apple juice then since I can’t have the beer either due to my gluten free diet. Thanks for the suggestion! Looking forward to trying this recipe!

      Reply

    3. Oooh, thanks for the apple juice tip. We don’t typically keep beer on hand (though I’ll buy it from time to time to make beer bread), so I was hoping someone would make a substitute suggestion!

      Reply

    4. Thanks so much for the tip on the apple juice! I can’t use beer due to allergy issues, but apple juice should do the trick!

      Reply

    5. Yes, you just gave me an idea, for religious reasons I can’t cook with alcohol and have plea th of Apple juice on hand. Thanks

      Reply

    6. I’m not a fan of regular beer but always have cidre beer on hand. With the apple juice suggestion, I think the cidre beer would work as well. Thanx everyone!

      Reply

  5. How many people will this recipe serve? I am feeding about ten people this weekend, any thoughts?

    Reply

    1. Just missed the top portion of the recipe for some reason, answered my own question. Thanks though!

      Reply

      1. Haha 🙂 I am glad that workout 🙂 Hope you love it Emily! XO

        Reply

  6. Yum! I made this tonight and it was great! I just used the seasoning that came with the corned beef but I did everything else according to the recipe. My crock pot was a little too small to fit all the veggies though 🙁 but still a great meal!!

    Reply

    1. I am so glad you loved it Anna! XO

      Reply

    2. Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (14)
      I followed the recipe, but the potatoes and carrots were too firm, wondering if maybe should have put on high instead of low….at least for half the time or maybe put them in earlier. I used Red Elf Ale, white vinegar, and made the seasoning mix but added some red pepper flakes and a couple more bay leaves. The meat turned out perfectly, but the cabbage would not fit in the crock pot so had to cook that on the stove. Over all a great recipe but next time I will cook on high 1/2 the time.

      Reply

      1. Hey Cindy! So glad you liked the recipe. Some crockpots tend to run cooler than others. Sorry your veggies were too firm. I know if I would have done mine on high for part of the time, my veggies would have been mush. But I think that is a great idea for you to try out next time. May I ask what size crockpot you have? Bummer about the cabbage not fitting in. I do love your add-in of red flakes 🙂 XO

        Reply

  7. Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (15)
    What kind of vinegar did you use? Apple cider, white, red wine…?

    Reply

    1. I have used both apple cider and white vinegar for this. Both work out great!

      Reply

      1. Thank you. Making this tonight. I’m going to use organic apple cider vinegar since its much healthier. Can’t wait to try this recipe… I also got blue moon ale for the beer. I’ll let you know how it turns out

        Reply

  8. What kind of vinegar do you use? Thank you!!!

    Reply

    1. I have used both apple cider and white vinegar for this. Both work out great!

      Reply

  9. This is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for a delicious FAST recipe!!!

    Reply

  10. Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (16)
    I made this yesterday for St Patrick’s Day and was the best I ever made. This will be my St Patrick’s Day recipe forever now. So easy and was very good!!!!

    Reply

    1. That is wonderful Rosanna! I am so glad you loved it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (17)

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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (2024)

FAQs

What goes with corned beef and cabbage for dinner? ›

1. Roasted vegetables: Roasted carrots, parsnips, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts make flavorful and hearty side dishes that complement the savory flavors of corned beef. 2. Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic accompaniment to corned beef, providing a comforting and satisfying addition to the meal.

Do you drain liquid from corned beef and cabbage? ›

When the meat is almost done, and you are about an hour from dinner, ladle out most of the cooking liquid and place in a large, heavy bottomed cooking pot. Add the cut potatoes, carrots and rutabaga.

Do you rinse corned beef before slow cooker? ›

Always Rinse Corned Beef Before Cooking It

That's why the very first thing you should do is rinse the uncooked piece of meat several times under cool running water to remove this residual salt.

Does the corned beef need to be covered with 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.

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.
Sep 3, 2020

What holiday do you eat corned beef and cabbage? ›

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated by people of Irish descent all over the world. One of the most popular foods associated with this holiday in America is corned beef and cabbage.

What happens if you don't rinse corned beef? ›

1. Not rinsing the meat before cooking. If you cook the meat straight from the plastic packaging or pulled from the brine solution in the fridge, you just might be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for.

Can you overcook corned beef in a slow cooker? ›

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.

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.

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

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. 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.

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.

Is it better to boil or slow cook 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.

Do you cook corned beef fat-side up or down? ›

Place the corned beef fat-side up in a roasting pan with a rack or use an oven-safe rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. If you don't have either, set the corned beef on top of a bed of chopped onions so it's elevated from the pan.

How long to cook 3 lb corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

What is the red liquid in corned beef package? ›

Blood is removed from beef during slaughter and only a small amount remains within the muscle tissue. Since beef is about 3/4 water, this natural moisture combined with protein is the source of the liquid in the package.

What do you normally eat with corned beef? ›

A long-simmered one-pot meal of corned beef cooked to perfection and served with tender cabbage, potatoes, and carrots would please any Irish-American on St. Patrick's Day. Add some mustard or a creamy horseradish sauce, and you have a true celebration. (Step back from the green beer, people!)

What do the Irish eat with corned beef? ›

The corned beef was paired with cabbage, as it was one of the cheapest vegetables available to Irish immigrants.

How is corned beef traditionally eaten? ›

Yet the corned beef the Irish immigrants ate was much different from that produced in Ireland 200 years prior. The Irish immigrants almost solely bought their meat from kosher butchers. And what we think of today as Irish corned beef is actually Jewish corned beef thrown into a pot with cabbage and potatoes.

Which side up for corned beef? ›

Place the corned beef fat-side up in a roasting pan with a rack or use an oven-safe rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. If you don't have either, set the corned beef on top of a bed of chopped onions so it's elevated from the pan.

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