Hearty Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe (Print Version)
Hearty Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe for tender meat and flavorful veggies. Easy, comforting, and perfect for any occasion.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Hours minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Irish-American
Dietary: Dairy-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
3-4 lb corned beef brisket (flat cut, usually with spice packet)
02 -
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
03 -
1 (12 oz) bottle Guinness or other dark stout beer
04 -
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
→ Flavor Boosters
05 -
1 pickling spice packet (if not included with beef)
06 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
1 tbsp brown sugar
→ Veggies & Sides
08 -
1.5 lbs small red or Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
09 -
1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
10 -
1 medium head green cabbage, cut into 6-8 wedges
→ Finishing Touches
11 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab that glorious corned beef brisket. Give it a good rinse under cold water to get rid of any excess brine; I always feel like this helps prevent it from being too salty later. Then, into your trusty slow cooker it goes! Pour in the beef broth, Guinness (or whatever liquid you're using), and that splash of apple cider vinegar. This is where the magic starts to happen, creating that aromatic bath for the beef.
02 -
Next, sprinkle in the pickling spice packet that came with your brisket. If yours didn't come with one, no worries, just add a teaspoon of whole peppercorns, a bay leaf, and a pinch of mustard seeds. Then, toss in your minced garlic and brown sugar. Give it a gentle stir around the beef. I always forget to add the brown sugar until halfway through, but it still works, so don't stress if you do, too!
03 -
Cover that slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours. Honestly, I usually go for low and slow because that's when the beef really gets fall-apart tender. You'll start to smell it after a couple of hours, and oh, it’s a wonderful, savory aroma! Resist the urge to peek too much; let that slow cooker do its thing, it’s working hard for you.
04 -
With about 2-3 hours left on the low setting (or 1.5 hours on high), it's time to add the potatoes and carrots. Gently nestle them around the beef in the liquid. They'll absorb all those incredible flavors as they cook down. I’ve definitely added them too early before, and they turned to total mush, so timing here is key, friends!
05 -
Finally, with just about 45 minutes to 1 hour left of cooking, add your cabbage wedges. Push them down into the liquid as much as you can. This ensures they soften but still retain a bit of their texture and color. You don't want soggy cabbage; trust me, I've been there! This step is where the Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe really comes together visually.
06 -
Once everything is fork-tender, carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for about 10-15 minutes. This is super important for juicy meat! Slice it against the grain – this is a game-changer for tenderness, I learned that one the hard way. Serve thick slices of the beef alongside the flavorful potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Don't forget a sprinkle of fresh parsley for that finishing touch!
# Notes:
01 -
A good quality corned beef brisket makes all the difference, honestly. Don't skimp on this part!
02 -
Leftovers are amazing, but slice the beef against the grain before reheating to keep it tender. Trust me on this one.
03 -
If you don't have Guinness, a dark beef broth or even apple cider works for a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor.
04 -
Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a dollop of whole-grain mustard for that extra pop!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
6-quart slow cooker
02 -
large knife
03 -
cutting board
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 550 kcal
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 35g