The Best Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Enjoy a warm and hearty meal with a family favorite recipe for The Best Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage.

If you’ve come across this recipe, chances are it’s for one of two reasons:

1. It’s nearing St. Patrick’s Day and you’re ready to chow down in festive attire with flavorful, authentic food.
2. You are in need of a really easy slow cooker recipe that’s hearty, filling and fool-proof 365 days a year.

I am one of those people that enjoys corned beef and cabbage year-round. Is that odd? Growing up, this recipe was one of my mom Noni’s many go-to dishes that my siblings and I would inhale after long sports practices (irregardless if leprechauns and rainbow cupcakes were on the culinary horizon!).

Wiley agrees. (At least that was his hope while waiting for any possible morsel to drop from the plate above.)

While Noni often made it on the stovetop, meticulously adding water and checking the seasonings every few hours, I’ve consolidated the prep time, eliminated the need to babysit a stockpot, and still guaranteed the most tender corned beef, cabbage and carrots to ever hit your lips.

If you are hosting an Irish-inspired bash, check out more sweet and savory menu additions, including the easiest-ever Irish Soda Bread, creamy and cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes, a store-bought spin on Rainbow Cake and more!

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Main Course

The Best Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Enjoy a warm and hearty meal with a family favorite recipe for The Best Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Author: Kelly Senyei

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 9 hrs

Total Time 9 hrs 5 mins

Servings 6 servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 medium carrots, peeled and halved
• ▢ 1 (3-pound) corned beef brisket (See Kelly’s Note)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons pickling spice
• ▢ 1 medium head cabbage

Instructions 

• In a 5-to 6-quart slow cooker, arrange the carrots on the bottom then place the corned beef (fat side up) on top of the carrots. Add enough water to just cover the meat, then add the pickling spices.
• Add the lid then cook the corned beef on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours. 
• Cut the cabbage into eight wedges then add it to the slow cooker, cover it and continue cooking until the cabbage is tender, about 1 hour on LOW or 30 minutes on HIGH. 
• Remove the cabbage, corned beef and carrots from the slow cooker.
• Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve. 

Kelly’s Notes:

• Most corned beef briskets will come with a spice packet. You can add those spices, in addition to the 2 teaspoons pickling spice, to the slow cooker for the best flavor.
• Corned beef can be a very fatty meat. While it isn’t necessary, I like to trim a majority of the fat from all over the brisket before adding it to the slow cooker.
• When adding the cabbage to the slow cooker, you may have to remove some of the water (to prevent it from spilling over), depending on the size of your brisket. 
• ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition

Calories: 521kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 2843mg, Potassium: 1198mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 13735IU, Vitamin C: 121.7mg, Calcium: 108mg, Iron: 4.8mg

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