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Why You’ll Love This Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about a classic corned beef dinner. The tender, fall-apart meat, the perfectly cooked vegetables – it’s a meal that truly warms the soul. But let’s be honest, traditional methods can sometimes feel a bit daunting. That’s where this corned beef crock pot recipe comes in! I’ve been making corned beef in my slow cooker for years, and it’s become my go-to for a stress-free, incredibly delicious meal. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, a cozy Sunday dinner, or whenever you’re craving hearty, flavorful comfort food without all the fuss.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to unlocking crock pot perfection! This simple list ensures a rich and tender corned beef.

For the Corned Beef

  • 3-4 pound corned beef brisket (flat cut or point cut, with spice packet included)
  • 6 cups beef broth or water
  • 1 onion, cut into large wedges
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (if your spice packet is small, or for extra flavor)
  • 2 bay leaves

For the Vegetables (Optional, but highly recommended!)

  • 6-8 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 6-8 small red potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 small head of green cabbage, cut into 6-8 wedges

Essential Equipment for Success

The beauty of this corned beef crock pot recipe lies in its simplicity and minimal equipment needs.

  • 6-quart or larger slow cooker (crock pot)
  • Large cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Vegetable peeler (if using carrots)

How to Make The Ultimate Easy & Flavorful Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe – Step-by-Step Instructions

Get ready for some hands-off cooking! This method ensures a perfectly tender and flavorful corned beef with minimal effort.

Prep the Corned Beef

  1. Rinse the Brisket: Unpack the corned beef brisket and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels. This helps remove any excess salt from the curing process.
  2. Place in Slow Cooker: Place the rinsed corned beef brisket fat-side up in your slow cooker.
  3. Add Aromatics and Liquid: Scatter the onion wedges, smashed garlic, peppercorns (if using), and bay leaves around the corned beef. Pour in the beef broth or water, ensuring the corned beef is mostly submerged. Add the apple cider vinegar.
  4. Add Spice Packet: Open the spice packet that came with your corned beef and sprinkle its contents over the brisket and into the liquid.

Cooking Steps

  1. Cook the Corned Beef: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or until the corned beef is fork-tender. The exact time will depend on the size of your brisket and your slow cooker.
  2. Add Vegetables (Optional): During the last 2-3 hours of cooking (if cooking on LOW) or 1-1.5 hours (if cooking on HIGH), add the carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker, submerging them in the liquid as much as possible.
  3. Add Cabbage (Optional): During the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, add the cabbage wedges to the slow cooker. They cook relatively quickly and you want them tender but not mushy.

Serving Your Corned Beef

  1. Rest the Meat: Carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and moist result.
  2. Slice Against the Grain: Slice the corned beef against the grain into desired thickness. This is crucial for tenderness.
  3. Serve: Arrange the sliced corned beef on a platter with the cooked vegetables. Drizzle with a little of the cooking liquid for extra flavor.

Recipe Tips for Best Results & Variations

Elevate your corned beef crock pot recipe with these expert tips and exciting variations!

Pro Tips for Tender Corned Beef

  • Don’t Skimp on Resting Time: Resting the meat after cooking is just as important as the cooking itself. It locks in moisture.
  • Slice Against the Grain: Identifying the grain and slicing perpendicular to it will make a world of difference in the tenderness of your corned beef.
  • Don’t Overcrowd: Ensure your slow cooker isn’t overly packed, especially when adding vegetables, to allow for even cooking.
  • Adjust Liquid if Needed: Make sure the corned beef is at least mostly submerged. Add more broth or water if needed.

Flavor Variations to Try

  • Beer Braised: Replace some or all of the beef broth with a dark beer (like Guinness) for a deeper, richer flavor profile.
  • Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cooking liquid.
  • Herbaceous Boost: A sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary added during the last hour of cooking can add a lovely aromatic touch.
  • Mustard Glaze: After slicing, consider a quick broil with a glaze made from Dijon mustard and a touch of brown sugar for a sweet and tangy finish.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

This corned beef crock pot recipe is fantastic for leftovers and even meal prepping!

  • Storage: Store leftover corned beef and vegetables separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: Gently reheat slices of corned beef in a microwave or in a pan with a splash of broth to prevent drying out. Vegetables can be reheated similarly.
  • Make-Ahead: While the entire dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can pre-chop all your vegetables a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator, ready to add to the slow cooker.

Frequently Asked Questions About Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe

Got questions about making the perfect corned beef crock pot recipe? I’ve got answers!

What kind of corned beef brisket should I buy?

You can use either a flat cut or a point cut. The flat cut is leaner and slices more uniformly, while the point cut is fattier and more flavorful, shredding easily. Both work beautifully in a slow cooker.

Can I make this without the vegetables?

Absolutely! While the vegetables are a traditional accompaniment and cook conveniently in the same pot, you can certainly just cook the corned beef and serve it with your favorite sides separately.

How do I know when the corned beef is done?

The corned beef is done when it is fork-tender. This means that when you insert a fork into the meat, it should pull away easily without resistance.

Can I freeze cooked corned beef?

Yes, you can freeze cooked corned beef. Slice it, then place it in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. It will last for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

The Ultimate Easy & Flavorful Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe
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The Ultimate Easy & Flavorful Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe

Recipe by Chef MarcoCourse: Main Course, Slow CookerCuisine: American Comfort Food, irishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

7

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

8

hours 
Calories

500

kcal

This incredibly easy corned beef crock pot recipe delivers tender, flavorful corned beef and vegetables with minimal effort. Perfect for a comforting family meal or a St. Patrick’s Day feast!

Ingredients

  • For the Corned Beef

  • 3-4 pound corned beef brisket (flat cut or point cut, with spice packet included)

  • 6 cups beef broth or water

  • 1 onion, cut into large wedges

  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional, for extra flavor)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • For the Vegetables (Optional, but highly recommended!)

  • 6-8 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

  • 6-8 small red potatoes, halved or quartered

  • 1 small head of green cabbage, cut into 6-8 wedges

Directions

  • Rinse Brisket: Unpack the corned beef brisket and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Place in Slow Cooker: Place the rinsed corned beef brisket fat-side up in your slow cooker.
  • Add Aromatics & Liquid: Scatter the onion wedges, smashed garlic, peppercorns (if using), and bay leaves around the corned beef. Pour in the beef broth or water and apple cider vinegar, ensuring the corned beef is mostly submerged.
  • Add Spice Packet: Open the spice packet that came with your corned beef and sprinkle its contents over the brisket and into the liquid.
  • Cook Corned Beef: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or until the corned beef is fork-tender.
  • Add Vegetables (Optional): During the last 2-3 hours of cooking (if cooking on LOW) or 1-1.5 hours (if cooking on HIGH), add the carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker, submerging them in the liquid as much as possible.
  • Add Cabbage (Optional): During the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, add the cabbage wedges to the slow cooker.
  • Rest the Meat: Carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Slice & Serve: Slice the corned beef against the grain into desired thickness. Arrange on a platter with the cooked vegetables and drizzle with a little of the cooking liquid.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Calories: Approximately 450-550 calories per serving (varies based on brisket cut and serving size)
  • Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – approximate):
    Calories: 450-550
    Protein: 40-50g
    Fat: 25-35g
    Carbohydrates: 20-30g
    Sodium: (Varies significantly due to corned beef curing, usually high)

Enjoy Your Homemade Corned Beef Crock Pot Recipe!

There you have it – your guide to the most tender, flavorful, and fuss-free corned beef crock pot recipe you’ll ever make! I hope this recipe brings warmth and joy to your table. Give it a try and let me know in the comments below how it turned out. Happy cooking! if you interested you can also read Savory & Tender Beef Liver Recipe with Caramelized Onions