Corned Beef & Cabbage (Crockpot)
312 CommentsFeb 13, 2025
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This Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage is a classic recipe that is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year. The crockpot makes corned beef melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the cabbage and veggies soak up all the delicious flavors.
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“By far the best I’ve had, …and I’ve had it for many many years. I honestly would not change a thing! Thank you for sharing!!!”
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What is corned beef and what cut should I buy?
Corned beef is salt-cured brisket. This is different than plain brisket which has not been cured. Corned beef usually comes with a seasoning packet that often includes: bay leaves, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and dill seeds. This flavor packet creates a wonderfully flavored roast.
- There are 2 main cuts of corned beef:
- Flat cut – easier to slice evenly (pictured below)
- Point cut – can have more marbling but usually not uniform in size.
Either cut is great for cooking in the crockpot! I usually grab whichever is cheaper.
Key Ingredients
Corned Beef – Find this in butcher meat section of the store, next to the roasts.
Onions – Onions aren’t traditionally added to corned beef but add SO much flavor.
Potatoes – I use a mixture of baby red and gold potatoes
Carrots – Whole carrots, peeled and sliced thick
Garlic cloves – Peeled
Water – Helps keeps the entire dish moist, can use beef broth if desired.
Cabbage – About a 1/2 head, cut into thin wedges, that’s all will fit in the slow cooker with all the other ingredients.
How to Make Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Build the base: onion + brisket + seasoning, then tuck in potatoes, carrots, and garlic.
- Let it cook low and slow until the beef is tender and the veggies are soft.
When do I add the cabbage?
Firmer Cabbage: Add during the last 2 hours for a cabbage with a little more bite.
Ultra Soft: Add that cabbage with everything else for a buttery tender bite.
What other kind of liquid can I add?
Water is the classic liquid used in crockpot corned beef and cabbage but feel free to try one of these other options for something different:
- Beer – such as Guinness
- Beef or chicken broth – This will add more sodium to the dish, so beware.
- Ginger ale – see this Ginger Ale Corned Beef Recipe
- I’ve even had one reader who used pickle juice!
How do I serve crock pot corned beef and cabbage?
This meal is great straight out of the pot, but here are some ways to enhance this meal:
- Let the meat rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Slice the meat against the grain.
- If desired, drizzle melted butter over the potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.
- Serve with horseradish sauce or stone-ground mustard.
- Can’t go wrong by serving with Irish soda bread or a piece of cornbread.
More FAQs
Use water for the liquid (don’t use beer or other high-carb liquid). Omit the potatoes and use celery or cauliflower instead. Corned beef is low carb. Just be conscious of what else you add to the pot.
Brown sugar is great in corned beef; it adds depth of flavor and cuts back on the salty taste. Sprinkle two tablespoons over your corned beef before cooking.
You can use one tablespoon of pickling spice. If you do not have that, don’t fret. Just add a few seasonings such as coarse black pepper, ground dry mustard, garlic powder and a bay leaf to add some flavor to your dish.
Wondering which way to place your corned beef in the crockpot? While it might not look the prettiest, fat side up is the way to go! As it cooks, the fat slowly renders, keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
Yes, you want to do more than just pat dry your corned beef. You’ll want to rinse it well, for it can have a slimy texture that you want to get rid off. Also, rinsing will help get rid of some of the overwhelming sodium content.
Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 2-4 lbs. Corned beef brisket (flat or point cut), (with seasoning packet that is included)
- 1 white onion, sliced, (this is optional but good!)
- 2 lbs. red or gold potatoes, (or a mixture of both!) Peel them if you'd like!
- 3 carrots, sliced thick
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/2 head cabbage, cut into thin wedges
- 1 1/2 cup water, (or see notes below for other liquid ideas)
For serving:
- parsley for garnish
- melted butter for potatoes if desired
- horseradish or stone-ground mustard
Instructions
- Add the sliced onion to the slow cooker.
- Rinse your corned beef and pat dry. Add to your slow cooker. Sprinkle over the included seasoning packet.
- Add your baby potatoes on top of the roast. If your potatoes are larger you can halve them to ensure they get tender. Add the carrots and garlic.
- Pour over the water. Add cabbage now if you want ultra-tender cabbage. Otherwise wait to add it until the last 2 hours.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 hours total. (Add the cabbage during the last 2 hours). You may have to rearrange things into the pot to get the cabbage to fit (or cut your cabbage thinner).
- Remove the meat onto a cutting board (let rest for 10 minutes) then slice into strips (against the grain).
- Serve the meat with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
- Drizzle melted butter over the potatoes if desired. Serve with horseradish mustard or stone ground mustard.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Here are my other corned beef recipes and Irish inspir ed recipes
Try Slow Cooker Reuben Dip made with store-bought pastrami, Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes with gold potatoes and cabbage, or Slow Cooker Corned Beef Hash made from raw corned beef—a breakfast staple.
If corned beef isn’t your thing, Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is another hearty option, and Beer Bread makes a great side for the meal.
You can make the classic recipe below or try Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage or Maple Mustard Corned Beef for St. Patrick’s Day—there are plenty of ways to cook this unique cut of beef.
How much water to meat should me used?
I use 1 and 1/2 cups water or a can of beer.
Ok — why would I rinse the corn beef ( understand this part ) — then pat it dry to put it back in water ( don’t understand this step ) — I’m a man /old football coach but dry off to get wet again ——-
I pat it dry because it’s usually slimy still. 🙂
Corned beef can be very slimy, that’s why I pat it dry. To wipe that off.
Can I prep this the day before?
I answered this right above your comment.
How many ribs of celery should be used please? Thank you.
can you use a smaller slow cooker?
Yes! If it fits. You can always steam your cabbage separate if needed.
Can I prep everything and place in the slow cooker dish the night before so I can just place it in the warmer the next day before leaving for work?
Yes, but beware, sometimes the slow cooker can crack after being put onto the heat after being in the fridge. Though, I’ve never had it happen to me.
First time making cornbeef and cabbage and i got a later start than I wanted so I’m doing the high for 5 hours. I mean I’ll obviously cook longer if it doesn’t make it to right temp but what would say maximum time on high.
It will work fine. That’s what I did the other day. I think 5 hours is just right, you can go another hour if the vegetables need more time.
I just did five hours, have been reading elsewhere that cooking on high is not advisable. That being said, I just did five hours and it’s super tough and not even chewable. :/
I made it a few days ago on high. You do need to slice it against the grain.
Should I use beef stock or chicken?
I would use beef.
Thank you.
What happens if you don’t rinse it. I actually did everything as you said It’s on now but I just saw where it said to rinse it off Should I take it all out
It should be fine, I prefer rinsing mine to get some of the salt off.
Hi there, Can I make this for a family of four using less ingredients? Would it be the same cook time? Thanks!
Yes, the cooking time will most likely be the same. The vegetables take the longest.
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Do you think I could/should cook the potatoes in the sow cooker and then make mash potatoes after? Or should I just leave the potatoes out from the beginning?
I personally would leave them out.