Description
This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe offers a foolproof way to prepare a classic Irish comfort dish. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, the beef absorbs savory flavors from a blend of spices, beer, and vinegar while the vegetables soften in the delicious cooking broth. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any hearty meal, this recipe yields a juicy corned beef brisket with tender potatoes, carrots, and cabbage with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 4 lbs corned beef brisket
- 1 small onion, cut into wedges
- 5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 lb small red potatoes, quartered
- 1 lb bag of baby carrots
- 1 head of green cabbage, cut into wedges
Liquids
- 3 cups water
- 8 oz beer
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 bay leaves, crushed
- 8 allspice berries
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics and Meat: Place the onion wedges and crushed garlic cloves at the bottom of your crockpot. This acts as a stand for the meat, preventing it from drying out by keeping it off the bottom surface. Lay the 4 lbs corned beef brisket on top of the onions and garlic.
- Mix Liquids: In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups of water, 8 oz of beer, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Stir the mixture well to blend the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour the liquid mixture over the beef in the crockpot. Sprinkle the seasoning packet evenly over the meat. If using a homemade seasoning blend, mix together 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, 2 crushed bay leaves, 8 allspice berries, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and sprinkle on top of the brisket.
- Start Slow Cooking: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours total to allow the beef to become tender and flavorful.
- Add Potatoes and Carrots: After the first 4 hours of cooking, add the quartered potatoes and baby carrots into the crockpot. Replace the lid and continue cooking for the remaining 4 hours.
- Add Cabbage: When there is only 1 hour of cooking time left, add the cabbage wedges to the crockpot. Cover and let cook for the final hour, ensuring the cabbage is tender but not overcooked.
Notes
- If using the seasoning packet that comes with your corned beef brisket, omit the homemade seasoning blend.
- Be sure to add the vegetables at the specified times to prevent overcooking, especially the cabbage which cooks quickly.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be sliced thin for sandwiches.
- You can substitute the beer with extra water or beef broth if desired.
- For a spicier kick, add a few crushed peppercorns or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
