The Crockpot makes this Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe a breeze! Slow-cooked beef turns tender and flavorful, making it the perfect cozy meal.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
This easy Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day meal! Cooking it in the slow cooker makes it perfect for a busy day, and I lighten it up by trimming off all the fat before it cooks. Even without the extra fat, it turns out incredibly tender and flavorful.
What exactly is corned beef?
Corned beef is simply a brisket that’s been cured with large grains of salt. This process makes the meat tender and flavorful. It’s often served with cabbage as a classic Irish meal or used in Reuben sandwiches.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Ingredients
How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
The first time I tried this slow cooker corned beef recipe, I just tossed everything in the pot and turned it on. Let me tell you, the cabbage came out overcooked and mushy! So, the next time, I decided to add the cabbage at the end, and it turned out amazing! Trust me, that little tweak made all the difference. Enjoy!
Instructions
1. In a 5-6 qt crock pot, place the brisket, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 3 cups of water.
2. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
3. After 4 hours, add the cabbage and cook on high for an additional 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. Once done, remove the meat and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then, slice it up and serve with cauliflower puree or buttermilk-mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Variations
- Cabbage: Swap out the green cabbage for purple cabbage for a pop of color!
- Onions: Instead of using frozen pearl onions, you can quarter a whole onion for a fresh twist.
- Liquid: For a richer flavor, substitute low-sodium beef or vegetable broth for the water.
- Parsnips: Not a fan of parsnips? Feel free to replace them with whole baby potatoes or quartered Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
- Spice Packet: If your corned beef comes with a spice packet, go ahead and use that for extra flavor!
What to Serve with Corned Beef and Cabbage
I love serving this traditional crockpot corned beef and cabbage recipe with cauliflower mash with kale or buttermilk-mashed potatoes. Don’t forget a little mustard or horseradish cream on the side for that extra kick! For dessert, you can’t go wrong with chocolate stout cupcakes; they’re the perfect sweet finish. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try serving it with some crusty Irish soda bread or a fresh green salad. How do you enjoy your corned beef?
More Beef Recipes
Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean corned beef brisket trimmed of fat
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/8 tsp whole peppercorns or spice mix if included
- 1 cup frozen pearl onions
- 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 medium parsnips peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 small head of cabbage cut into 6 wedges
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a 5-6 qt crock pot, place the brisket, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 3 cups of water.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, add the cabbage and cook on high for an additional 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.
- Once done, remove the meat and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then, slice it up and serve with cauliflower puree or buttermilk-mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
