Never made corned beef and cabbage? Don’t worry, this recipe is goof-proof!
Why do I only cook corned beef and cabbage once a year for St. Patrick’s Day? It is just so darn good and a cinch in the slow cooker. I need to remind myself to make this more often.
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Most corned beef brisket will come with a seasoning pack, but I much prefer my homemade corned beef seasoning packet recipe! I love flavor and this recipe delivers just that. I hope you enjoy this Corned Beef Slow Cooker Recipe!
Looking for an INSTANT POT version of this recipe? I have my famous Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe right HERE!
You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze the corned beef, but I DON’T recommend freezing the veggies.
No! If you want to cook this with out the beer, you can leave it out and sub in 8oz of water or low sodium beef broth.
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- 5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 small onion, cut into wedges
- 3 cups of water
- 2 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP vinegar
- 8 oz beer
- 4 lbs corned beef brisket
- 1 (1 lb) bag of baby carrots
- 1 lb small red potatoes, quartered
- 1 head of green cabbage, cut into wedges
- —- seasoning packet ingredients —–
- {leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.}
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 bay leaves, crushed
- 8 Allspice berries
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- First place onion wedges and garlic at the bottom of your 6-8qt crockpot. This is going to act as a stand for your meat, so it doesn’t touch the bottom and dry out. Place beef on top of onions and garlic.
- Next, mix together water, beer, sugar and vinegar.
- Pour over beef and then sprinkle seasoning packet over meat. If you are using my homemade corned beef seasoning recipe, simply mix together the mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of beef.
- Set crockpot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- After 4 hours of cooking, add in potatoes and carrots. Cover and continue cooking.
- When 1 hour remains, add cabbage to the crockpot. Cover and continue cooking for the remainder of the time. After 8 hours, you will have an unforgettable dinner! Hope you enjoy this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe as much as I did!
Got Leftovers? Make sure to pack them up for lunch!
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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 5-6 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 small onion cut into wedges
- 3 cups of water
- 2 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP vinegar
- 8 oz beer
- 4 lbs corned beef brisket
- 1 1 lb bag of baby carrots
- 1 lb small red potatoes quartered
- 1 head of green cabbage cut into wedges
—- seasoning packet ingredients —–
- {leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.}
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 bay leaves crushed
- 8 Allspice berries
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- First place onion wedges and garlic at the bottom of your crockpot. This is going to act as a stand for your meat, so it doesn’t touch the bottom and dry out. Place beef on top of onions and garlic.
- Next, mix together water, beer, sugar and vinegar.
- Pour over beef and they sprinkle seasoning packet over meat. If you are using my homemade corned beef seasoning packet, simply mix together the mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of beef.
- Set crockpot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- After 4 hours of cooking, add in potatoes and carrots.Cover and continue cooking
- When 1 hour remains, add cabbage to the crockpot. Cover and continue cooking for the remainder of the time.
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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Post Updated March 2023
Keeley McGuire says
Yum! I grew up on this stuff but haven’t made it in ages 🙂
Corey says
Keeley, my little Irish queen 🙂 XO
Rachel says
What kind of beer do you use for this?
Corey says
Rachel, you can use whatever you have on hand. I used a pale ale. But I really think any beer would be great! Hope that helps. XO
Angie says
Is the corn beef tender this way? I’ve always made this on the stove top….and the meat is a little tough? Thoughts?
Corey says
I thought it was pretty tender. The slow and low cooking style helps that a lot 🙂
Jennifer G says
This is very similiar ingredient wise to the recipe I have been making for years but since I don’t cook with any alcohol due to health reasons I have used apple juice for the liquid. I also cook it for ten hours rather then just eight and it comes out perfectly tender everytime. I always wondered what was in that packet and appreciate being able to make my own! Hopefully my apple juice idea will help anyone who needs an alternative for such a wonderful dish, it gives it a great flavor! Keep up the great work!!
Corey says
Thank you so much for the tip Jennifer! I am sure there are a lot of people who will find that really helpful 🙂 XO
robin says
how much apple juice should i put in
Audra N. says
I will be sure to try the apple juice then since I can’t have the beer either due to my gluten free diet. Thanks for the suggestion! Looking forward to trying this recipe!
Christephi says
Oooh, thanks for the apple juice tip. We don’t typically keep beer on hand (though I’ll buy it from time to time to make beer bread), so I was hoping someone would make a substitute suggestion!
Flo says
Thanks so much for the tip on the apple juice! I can’t use beer due to allergy issues, but apple juice should do the trick!
Aishah says
Yes, you just gave me an idea, for religious reasons I can’t cook with alcohol and have plea th of Apple juice on hand. Thanks
Megan Lawrence says
I’m not a fan of regular beer but always have cidre beer on hand. With the apple juice suggestion, I think the cidre beer would work as well. Thanx everyone!
Jackie says
I’m making this today using a non-alcoholic IPA. It’s wonderful that there are currently so many non-alcoholic options available!
Emily E. says
How many people will this recipe serve? I am feeding about ten people this weekend, any thoughts?
Emily E. says
Just missed the top portion of the recipe for some reason, answered my own question. Thanks though!
Corey says
Haha 🙂 I am glad that workout 🙂 Hope you love it Emily! XO
Anna says
Yum! I made this tonight and it was great! I just used the seasoning that came with the corned beef but I did everything else according to the recipe. My crock pot was a little too small to fit all the veggies though 🙁 but still a great meal!!
Corey says
I am so glad you loved it Anna! XO
cindy says
I followed the recipe, but the potatoes and carrots were too firm, wondering if maybe should have put on high instead of low….at least for half the time or maybe put them in earlier. I used Red Elf Ale, white vinegar, and made the seasoning mix but added some red pepper flakes and a couple more bay leaves. The meat turned out perfectly, but the cabbage would not fit in the crock pot so had to cook that on the stove. Over all a great recipe but next time I will cook on high 1/2 the time.
Corey says
Hey Cindy! So glad you liked the recipe. Some crockpots tend to run cooler than others. Sorry your veggies were too firm. I know if I would have done mine on high for part of the time, my veggies would have been mush. But I think that is a great idea for you to try out next time. May I ask what size crockpot you have? Bummer about the cabbage not fitting in. I do love your add-in of red flakes 🙂 XO
Kassey says
What kind of vinegar did you use? Apple cider, white, red wine…?
Corey says
I have used both apple cider and white vinegar for this. Both work out great!
Kassey says
Thank you. Making this tonight. I’m going to use organic apple cider vinegar since its much healthier. Can’t wait to try this recipe… I also got blue moon ale for the beer. I’ll let you know how it turns out
Tammy says
What kind of vinegar do you use? Thank you!!!
Corey says
I have used both apple cider and white vinegar for this. Both work out great!
Tianna says
This is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for a delicious FAST recipe!!!
Rosanna says
I made this yesterday for St Patrick’s Day and was the best I ever made. This will be my St Patrick’s Day recipe forever now. So easy and was very good!!!!
Corey says
That is wonderful Rosanna! I am so glad you loved it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Karen says
I just finished making this. I used Oberon ( as I live in Oberon city) I’m hoping the meat shrinks down enough that I can add the rest. If not,O well,I’ll use the Dutch Oven for the veggies.
Nadia Farnsworth says
I’m currently cooking this in the crock pot now but I didn’t have any of the berries. Will it ruin the recipe?
Corey says
I have never made it without. I am sure it was ruin the dish. Did you use the packet that came with the meat?
Nadia Farnsworth says
No It didn’t come with a packet 🙁 I seasoned it as your recipe said minus the berries because I didn’t have any. Will it not taste good?
Corey says
Do you have any nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper?
Nadia Farnsworth says
I do!
Corey says
I would mix together 1/4 teaspoon of each and throw it in the crockpot 🙂
Nadia Farnsworth says
I can pick some up after classes and add them in for the last couple of hours. Hopefully it still turns out good.
Dee Dawson says
Remember to cut the meat against the grain…..so much easier to eat.
Nancy says
I followed the recipe to a T, with fresh bay leaves and yellow mustard seed. I couldn’t find the allspice berries so I tried the McCormick Peppercorn Medley which comes with the grinder. I noticed it had ingredients a lot of the corn beef recipes had and you don’t have to worry about pulling out the peppercorns and berries that get stuck to the corn beef:
Ingredients: Black Peppercorn, Corainder, Pink Peppercorns, White Peppercorns, Allspice and green peppercorns. Thanks for a great homemade crockpot recipe! Now that I have the spices, I will make it more than once a year.
Tamara says
I can’t believe I’ve never thought to make corned beef in the crockpot! I’m really looking forward to trying this since my family loves corned beef and we use the crockpot twice a week. This will be a great addition to our rotation of meals!
Sherry says
Ok, just threw it all together, so we’ll give it the taste test in 8 hours! Sounds fabulous, and can’t wait to treat some co-workers tomorrow on St. Paddy’s Day.
Justin says
I just packed in a bunch of cabbage…with an hour to go, should I turn it up to high?
Corey says
Just follow the directions in the recipe 🙂
Marit says
First time making cornedbeef. Used red wine vinegar and a red ale. Started it yesterday & we ate it for dinner this evening! Was a big hit! Thank you.
Have a Happy St Patrick’s Day 2014
Natasha says
Did you use the juices that came in the meat packet? or just the water and beer?
Corey says
Just the meat. I discarded the juice.
Megan says
I had a bad case of prego-brain this morning and forgot the 3C of water! I kept thinking it didn’t look like as much liquid as shown in your photos… Anyway, I finally figured it out when I went to put the potatoes and carrots in at the 4hr mark. I went ahead and added the water (warmed it up so I wasn’t adding room temp water to hot crock pot) when I added the veggies. Please tell me I didn’t ruin dinner? :-/
Denise says
I made this today and doubled everything. I made half in a crock pot and half on the stove. My house smells so amazing!!! I cooked the cabbage in a separate pot with some of the cooking juices. I wonder if there is any other way to use the cooking liquid. It just seems like a waste not to use it some how.
Alison says
The cooking broth makes an awesome base for kale soup!
Hope says
Hi, my question is before I put the brisket in the crock pot do I need to boil it to remove the salt? Also can I use beef broth and water? Thank you for your time.
Corey says
Hope, is your brisket covered in salt? Mine was not, so I just added it to the crockpot. Yes, I am sure beef broth and water would be fine. I hope that helps 🙂
Laura says
Corey,
I have a 5 lb. corned beef brisket. Should I cook it a little longer and if so, how much longer? Thx.
Kim says
I love to serve a sauce on the side consisting of brown sugar and yellow mustard. Mix together and then microwave until warm. Everybody says this really makes the corned beef delicious!
Corey says
YUM! Sounds delish!
Gina says
We made this once this week already and are making it again, but with a much larger piece of meat. It was so simple my boyfriend made it himself while I was at work! Wonderful surprise after a long day 🙂 our only issue is that the veggies turn out far too soft, though this seems to happen with a lot of recipes. Is it time for a new crock pot, or is there something I’m doing wrong?
Corey says
Are all the veggies turning out too soft? I guess the crockpots I use are on the newer side, so that might be the problem.
Donna says
Hi Corey
I am making this tomorrow ..I have everything but Mustard seed can I substitute with anything else
Shirlee says
I’m using 2 packages of cornbeef so I need to cook in the stove because it won’t fit in the crockpot(approx 6.3lbs) Any tips to so it turns out ok?
Cara says
Any tips for vegetables and adding them at the various times when on is not home to do this? (I usually just put my ingredients in, the night before. Turn on low just before leaving for work and am gone for the day all done when I/we get home). It would be great if St
Cara says
It has been a year and 2 days since I last posted (without a reply to my question).
I followed the recipe, except I used the spices that came with the corned bee brisket. I also used the juices in the package in addition to your water, beer (Budweiser), vinegar and sugar mixture.
I didn’t have the luxury of staying home to add the vegetables after 4 hours and within the last hour. Therefore, I put my onions and garlic on the bottom with the brisket and sprinkled with the spices as suggested. I then added the juices and beer mixture, followed by adding the carrots, potatoes and cabbage. suggested all last night, let it “cure” over night in the refrigerator.
This morning I took it out of the fridge, let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. Just before leaving for work (6:15 am), plugged it in an d turned to low.
After work (2:45 pm or so) I stopped at home to check on it before picking up my daughter from her school. Oh my goodness, the aroma was divine. Of course I had to do a taste test too. No need to cut on the grain, it was so tender, it fell apart with each “stab” of the fork, and the vegetables were perfect, nice and soft without being mushy. There was a sweetness to the corned beef. I credit that to the beer mixture.
My daughter requested leftovers for lunch tomorrow-we have plenty. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I will be making this again, but will invite others to enjoy with us.
Amanda says
And 3 years and 2 days later, I’m saying thank you! I’m making this tomorrow and was wondering about throwing it all together. Thanks for posting!!
Nicole says
I only have a small corned beef (2lbs) would I cut the cooking time in half for this recipe? Thanks so much! This sounds really yummy!
Corey says
I wouldn’t cut it in half Nicole, but I would shorten it. Instead of 8 hours do 6 hours. Check on it after 6 to see if it’s ready to rock. I hope that helps.
kristin says
I just put my corned beef in the cockpot and found that it didn’t come with the seasoning packet. I have everything except the all spice berries. Can I used ground all spice? If so, how much?
Corey says
Yes you can Kristin 🙂 About 1/2 teaspoon will do the trick! I’ll shoot you an email in case you miss this reply 🙂
Erin says
Delicious! This made the PERFECT corned beef! In previous years I cooked my corned beef the traditional way, on the stove for about 3 hours, but it was turning out a little tough. I didn’t realize, until this year, that my mom always made hers in the crockpot, so I decided to give it a try. The meat was perfect and the veggies were just right – not too hard or soft.
I did add a quartered onion, 1 bay leaf, and about 1/2tsp peppercorns to the crockpot in the beginning along with the spice packet that came with my brisket. Because my cabbage couldn’t fit in my 6qt crockpot along with everything else in the end, I put it in the juice for about 30min by itself in the crockpot after removing the finished corned beef, potatoes and carrots. I just prepared the potatoes (stick of butter melted, parley, salt, pepper) and sliced up the meat while the cabbage finished up.
Thanks for your post! The method worked great and tasted just as good as Mom’s ;-)!
Stephanie says
I made corned beef and cabbage from a slow cooker recipe book that I had and the beef had the consistency of a pencil eraser! I am making it again using your fabulous looking recipe (thank you so much!). The first recipe barely had the meat in the liquid and I am figuring that is where I went wrong. This time around, the meat is submerged a little more than half way. Does this sound right; Does it even matter?
Thanks again,
Stephanie
Corey says
Yes, as you can see from the pictures in my post, the meat is covered most of the way with liquid. I hope your next round goes better with my recipe 🙂
Milo Grika says
I had a pretty big brisket and the liquid didn’t cover it. Other recipes I looked at before trying this one, suggested to just keep adding water to cover the meat, which I did, and it was perfectly moist and still full flavored.
Nicki says
I’ve never made corned beef before and this sounds wonderful. Can I just use a trimmed brisket if I’m not planning to use a seasoning packet or is the prepackaged corned beef premarinated/seasoned? TIA
John says
Hi Corey,
The meal came out excellent. Everything tasted great. I was short on ingredients and substituted orange juice for the beer, vinegar, sugar. I also used the “packet” for seasoning. I came across your recipe after grocery shopping unfortunately. Thank you for listing a homemade alternative for the spices.
Take Care, John
Salina says
Delish! The beer gives the beef some intense flavor! I added shallots to the recipe for more intense flavor. Only thing is that you will need to add salt to taste.
Cae says
what kind of beer for the crock pot corn-beer and cabbage?
Annette says
This is the BEST corned beef and cabbage I have ever served! So yummy. Everyone loved it but….there were no leftovers?
Sue Casey says
Mine is in the crockpot right now. The one other time I made it in the crockpot we were gone for the day but anticipating the aroma and amazing meal to come. Walked in the house. . . no smell of cooked corned beef . . . what?! Turns out we forgot to plug in the crockpot. We were disappointed to say the least. You can bet we check the crockpot before we leave the house EVERYTIME now!!!!!
Carrie says
Hi Corey! Looks fabulous! I plan on making it this weekend, however I’m pregnant and therefor would prefer to leave out the beer. I see some ppl used apple juice instead, but can I omit all together? Using the water and vinegar as the only liquids?
Corey says
I would add something else in Carrie. Apple Juice is a good one, or even just some chicken broth would work great too. Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
Carrie says
Ok, I’ll use apple juice then. Thanks for the quick reply! 🙂
Sue Casey says
Fantastic! Served with mustard sauce.
Milo Grika says
I’ve been making corned beef and cabbage every year for the past four years, and I’ve always thought it was okay, but my wife never liked it. Used this recipe today (St. Patty’s Day) and it was the best ever; even the wife said, “You can make this again”!
I used Guinness beer, skipped the cabbage (no one ever cared for it and it wasn’t missed this time either), full length carrots (unsliced), and smallish potatoes (no need for quartering).
This will be my “every year” recipe for now on (and maybe more than just once a year).
Corey says
I am so happy to hear everyone loved it! Thanks for the wonderful comment Milo!
Cindy says
Big question? I live in Wales and they do not have readily prepared corn beef brisket in the grocery stores over here… I would like to make this tomorrow, but I’m confused… Can I simply purchase a beef brisket and throw it in the crock pot using your wonderful receipe and spice mixture cook it for 8 hours as detailed and it will work and taste like traditional corn beef brisket? or Does your crock pot reciepe work because the beef brisket you can buy has already been siting curing in its brine mixture for over a week? Or does the spice mixture and the slow cooking cut out the need for this long pre soaking step?? Looking forward to your response can’t wait to try this!!
Thank you, Cindy
Laura says
Hi! Did you figure this out? I have the same problem! Thank you!
Sam says
Made this for St. Paddy’s day, came out fantastic , juicy and fork tender. The only change I made wad using beef broth instead of the beer, my wife doesn’t like the beer taste. Thanks for a great dish!
Corey says
So glad you loved it Sam!
Hillary says
After it cooks how long should it rest before cutting? I am making on Christmas in addition to turkey, so I won’t be adding the veggies,cabbage or potatoes … does that affect how much liquid I would use?
JOY L says
Great recipe, this meal turned out amazing!
Maureen says
Please add nutritional information to your recipes. Thanks! 🙂
Shannon says
Put this on a little late. We’ll be eating at 9pm on the low setting, would it work well doing it on high for 4 hours and putting veggies in at two hours? Otherwise well just have a late dinner. Wish i started it sooner
Janet Chance says
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I was worried when the corned beef I bought did not come with a spice packet. I found your recipe and anxiously moved forward. Well everyone said it was the best St Patricks dinner yet. I didn’t use garlic cause my hubby has problems with it, and I cooked my veggies separately in the oven. But I had 7 lbs of corned beef in the crock pot, doubled the spice mixture and cooked in on low for 9 hours. Melt in your mouth Perfection! Thank you so much for giving us a new way fro years to come.
Pat says
This is a great recipe. I’m making a second corned beef using the sauce leftover from yesterday’s dinner. Also , thanks for the suggested substitutes and the kale soup idea?
Sue Martino says
I always seem to have to many vegetable and not enough corned beef. Years ago, my Mom suggested saving the broth and adding the broth and cut up hot dogs when I heat up the leftover veggies the next day. Family loved it!
Corey says
Love that idea!
James Jackson says
My wife is Irish and I made this for her on St Patricks day. She said it was the best she EVER had. Thanks I will try more of your recipes.