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

ByCorey Created Updated

This post may contain affiliate links. Read mydisclosure policy.

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.

Email Me This Recipe!

Need to save time? Have this article emailed straight to your inbox+ sign up for all the latest recipes!

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!

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!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read mydisclosure policy.

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

We love these lunchboxes!

Buy Now

More of our favorite corned beef recipes!

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

4.89 from 27 votes

click the stars to rate!

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

Email this recipe!

Get this recipe emailed straight to your inbox!

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

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?

Make sure to share it with me below!

Looking for more St. Patrick Day Recipes?

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

Post Updated March 2023

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  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)

hey there, i'm corey!

I'm so happy you're here!

This blog is full of my love of food, photography family and friends. Have fun looking around! I hope you find a couple yummy recipes to try.

Meet Corey

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe - Family Fresh Meals (18)

Printables + New Recipes

join the family!

Subscribe to get the latest recipes delivered straight to your inbox plus our free printable menu plan!

Side Dishes

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

Grandma’s Corn Casserole Recipe

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked Vegetable Casserole

What's New

Dr. Pepper Cake

Caprese Easy Lunchbox Idea

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

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

FAQs

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.

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.

What is the secret to tender 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 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.

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 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.

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

The corned beef and vegetables should all be fork tender . Internal temperature should be at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F.

Why is my corned beef not tender in the crockpot? ›

Not filling the pot with enough water.

One of the keys to getting there is the amount of water in the pot. From start to finish, when there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef might be crushed with a tough, chewy result.

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.

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.

Can you overcook corned beef and cabbage? ›

And while brisket can take a much higher temperature than a steak can, it too can be overcooked. If all the collagen turns to gelatin, that's good, but if all the gelatin cooks out of the corned beef, you'll just have a crumbly, dried out piece of salted beef.

What makes corned beef taste better? ›

To add some flavor to your boiled corned beef, add some vegetables, such as carrots, onions and potatoes, to the pot. These vegetables not only add flavor but also make for a well-rounded meal. You can add some herbs and spices, such as a bay leaf, garlic and peppercorns, to the water for extra flavor.

What do you do with the liquid 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. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot.

How many people will a 3 lb corned beef feed? ›

Keep in mind that depending on the cut, corned beef will shrink by as much as one-third during cooking. A 3-pound brisket should feed four to six people if served with vegetables.

What goes with corned beef and cabbage? ›

The top five accompaniments that pair excellently with corned beef include cabbage, often boiled or sautéed for a traditional touch; potatoes, in forms like boiled, mashed, or roasted; carrots, typically boiled alongside the meat; and sauces like tangy mustard or sharp horseradish to enhance the savory richness of the ...

Should I brown corned beef before cooking? ›

How to Cook Corned Beef Brisket. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated corned beef brisket: Brush the whole brisket with browning sauce, then brown it on both sides in a hot skillet with vegetable oil. Place it on a rack set in a roasting pan.

Should corned beef be covered in liquid? ›

Yes, corned beef should be covered with water in a slow cooker. This is important to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process. It is also important to ensure that the water level is high enough to fully submerge the meat, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly.

Does food in slow cooker have to be covered with liquid? ›

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.

Does meat in a slow cooker have to be covered with liquid? ›

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.

Should corned beef be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot. A 3-pound corned beef could take three hours or more to become perfectly tender.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 5812

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.