Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage – A Set-It-and-Forget-It Classic
If you’re looking for an easy and foolproof way to make tender, flavorful crockpot corned beef and cabbage, this recipe is the answer! With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth corned beef infused with the rich flavors of Guinness beer (or beef broth), hearty vegetables, and aromatic spices. Whether you’re making this for St. Patrick’s Day or simply craving a comforting, one-pot meal, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Cooking corned beef in the slow cooker ensures it turns out incredibly juicy and fork-tender. The potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and onions absorb all the savory juices, making every bite full of bold, delicious flavor. Plus, it’s a hands-off meal, which means you can go about your day while your kitchen fills with the mouthwatering aroma of slow-simmered corned beef.
Whether you’re serving this for a festive gathering or a cozy family dinner, this crockpot corned beef and cabbage is a hearty, satisfying dish that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Pair it with a side of Irish soda bread and a cold pint of Guinness for a traditional Irish feast!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
Set It & Forget It: The slow cooker does all the work, making this an easy, no-fuss meal.
Unbelievably Tender Beef: Cooking low and slow ensures fall-apart, juicy corned beef every time.
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: A festive classic, but delicious any time you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal.
Customizable: Use beer for extra depth of flavor or substitute with beef broth for an alcohol-free version.
A Complete Meal in One Pot: Meat, potatoes, cabbage, and carrots all cook together for a well-balanced meal with no extra dishes!
Ingredients
*NOTE* You can substitute the beer with a lighter beer or beef broth 1 ½ cup
1 (3-4 pounds) corned beef brisket (the one I used was 3.88 pounds)
2 cups of chopped cabbage (I used half of a head of cabbage and sliced into wedges)
1 small onion, sliced (I used a sweet onion, but you could use a white onion or a red onion)
2 cups (about 6-7) quartered red potatoes (you could as well use golden potatoes)
1 cup of carrots (I used the baby carrots, approximately ½ bag of 1 pound bag)
2 teaspoons of peppercorn (if you don’t have peppercorn, you could use fresh ground pepper, 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 can (14.9 oz) Guinness Beer (Pour the beer into a measuring cup (it is about 1 ½ cup) before pouring into the slow cooker, this way you get less foam on top)
How To Cook Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Unpack the corned beef brisket. Discard the spice packet if you chose to use the spices above.
- Rinse under cold water. Pat dry and place on a plate. Set aside.
- Place the chopped cabbage, sliced onion, quartered potatoes, and carrots in the slow cooker.
- Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables, fat side up.
- Sprinkle the peppercorn, onion powder, and celery seeds over the corned beef.
- Pour the beer into the slow cooker, over the meat and the vegetables.
- Cook on High for 6 hours or on Slow for 8 hours.
- *NOTE* At 4 hours into the cook, open the slow cooker and pour the liquid back over the meat.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t Skip the Rinse: Corned beef is packed in a brine, so rinse it under cold water before cooking to remove excess salt.
- Cook Fat Side Up: Placing the brisket fat side up allows the fat to melt into the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
- Slice Against the Grain: For the most tender, juicy slices, cut against the grain of the meat.
- Add the Cabbage Later: If you prefer firmer cabbage, add it during the last 2 hours of cooking instead of at the beginning.
- Beer or Broth? Guinness adds a rich, deep flavor, but if you prefer, you can substitute beef broth for a non-alcoholic version.
FAQs
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is a delicious seasoned corned beef that is cooked with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and onions. It is the perfect easy meal to make this St. Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 pounds) corned beef brisket (the one I used was 3.88 pounds)
- 2 cups of chopped cabbage (I used half of a head of cabbage and sliced into wedges)
- 1 small onion, sliced (I used a sweet onion, but you could use a white onion or a red onion)
- 2 cups (about 6-7) quartered red potatoes (you could as well use golden potatoes)
- 1 cup of carrots (I used the baby carrots, approximately ½ bag of 1 pound bag)
- 2 teaspoons of peppercorn (if you don’t have peppercorn, you could use fresh ground pepper, 2 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 can (14.9 oz) Guinness Beer (Pour the beer into a measuring cup (it is about 1 ½ cup) before pouring into the slow cooker, this way you get less foam on top)
- *NOTE* You can substitute the beer with a lighter beer or beef broth 1 ½ cup
Instructions
- Unpack the corned beef brisket. Discard the spice packet if you chose to use the spices above.
- Rinse under cold water. Pat dry and place on a plate. Set aside.
- Place the chopped cabbage, sliced onion, quartered potatoes, and carrots in the slow cooker.
- Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables, fat side up.
- Sprinkle the peppercorn, onion powder, and celery seeds over the corned beef.
- Pour the beer into the slow cooker, over the meat and the vegetables.
- Cook on High for 6 hours or on Slow for 8 hours.
- *NOTE* At 4 hours into the cook, open the slow cooker and pour the liquid back over the meat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 213Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 193mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!