Tender Crock Pot Corned Beef: Easy Slow Cooker Meal (Print Version)

This tender Crock Pot Corned Beef recipe makes a flavorful, easy slow cooker meal. Forget tough meat, get juicy, fall-apart corned beef every time.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 480 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 495 minutes
Servings: 7 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Event

01 - Corned Beef Brisket (3-4 lbs, flat cut)
02 - Small Cabbage (1 head, quartered)
03 - Carrots (4-5 medium, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks)
04 - Potatoes (6-8 small, waxy, quartered)

→ Flavor Foundation

05 - Beef Broth (4 cups)
06 - Onion (1 large, quartered)
07 - Garlic (4-5 cloves, smashed)

→ The Spice Pack & Finishing Touches

08 - Pickling Spice (from corned beef package, or 1 tbsp separate)
09 - Fresh Parsley (for garnish, optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, unwrap that beautiful piece of corned beef. Give it a quick rinse under cold water to remove any excess salt, but don't go crazy, we want some of that cure to stay. Pat it dry with paper towels. I always trim off any really thick pieces of fat if they're excessive, but leave a decent layer for flavor. Place it fat-side up in your slow cooker. This ensures the fat bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping our Crock Pot Corned Beef extra juicy and tender.
02 - Now for the flavor foundation! Scatter your quartered onion and smashed garlic cloves around the brisket in the slow cooker. I love the smell of garlic and onion hitting the warm pot; it just signals good things are coming. Pour in the beef broth. Make sure the liquid comes up about halfway to two-thirds of the way up the meat. If it's not enough, add a little more broth or even some water until it looks right. This is crucial for truly tender Crock Pot Corned Beef.
03 - This is the easiest step, honestly! Just open up that little spice packet that came with your corned beef and sprinkle it all over the brisket and into the liquid. If you're using loose pickling spice, just toss it right in. I once accidentally dumped the whole packet in one spot, and it was fine, but spreading it out helps distribute the flavor evenly. The aroma from these spices is just incredible as it starts to warm up, promising a delicious meal.
04 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker, set it to LOW, and let it cook for 7-8 hours. Or, if you're in a bit more of a rush, you can cook it on HIGH for 4-5 hours. I always prefer low and slow for Crock Pot Corned Beef; it just yields a more melt-in-your-mouth texture. You'll know it's ready when the meat is fork-tender, practically falling apart when you try to lift it. Resist the urge to peek too often!
05 - With about 1.5 to 2 hours left of cooking time (if on LOW, or 1 hour if on HIGH), it's time to add the vegetables. Carefully nestle the cabbage wedges, carrot chunks, and quartered potatoes around the corned beef in the slow cooker. Make sure they're submerged in the liquid as much as possible so they can soak up all those amazing flavors and cook through. Don't add them too early, or they'll turn to mush – a mistake I definitely made once, resulting in sad, disintegrated carrots!
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 a non-negotiable step for juicy meat, trust me! Slice the corned beef *against the grain* – this is super important for tenderness. Serve slices of the glorious Crock Pot Corned Beef with the cooked cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, and a good dollop of grainy mustard. So good, you guys!

# Notes:

01 - A quick rinse for the brisket is enough; don't wash away all that flavor.
02 - Leftovers are fantastic; store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
03 - If you don't have cabbage, Brussels sprouts can work, but cabbage is my personal favorite.
04 - Serve with grainy mustard and crusty rye bread for the absolute best experience.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - tongs

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25 g
Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
Protein: 40 g

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