Description
This classic Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe delivers tender, flavorful corned beef braised with aromatic vegetables and pickling spices. Cooking low and slow in a crockpot, the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions soak up the rich broth. Adding fresh cabbage in the final hour finishes the dish perfectly, making it an ideal comforting meal for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Corned Beef and Broth
- 1 (5 to 6 pound) flat cut corned beef (with pickling spices)
- 2 to 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons pickling spice (optional, plus the packet that comes with the beef)
Vegetables
- 4 to 6 small potatoes, halved if larger than 2 inches
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 1/2 cups baby carrots
- 2 ribs celery, cut into 3-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 medium head cabbage, cut into 1 inch wedges (added later)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Place the potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic cloves in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, forming a bed for the corned beef.
- Add Corned Beef: Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables with the fat side up. Pour any juices from the packaging into the cooker. Add the packet of pickling spices that came with the beef and, if desired, an additional 2 tablespoons of pickling spice for extra flavor.
- Add Broth: Pour in enough beef broth to just reach the top of the corned beef, typically about 3 cups depending on your slow cooker size. Cover the slow cooker.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: Cook on low for about 9 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the vegetables to cook through.
- Add Cabbage: Approximately one hour before serving, add the cabbage wedges around the brisket in the broth. Cover and continue cooking for an additional hour, or until cabbage reaches your preferred tenderness.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and trim off the fat layer if desired. Slice or shred the beef against the grain. Serve with the vegetables and cabbage, accompanied by spicy mustard or horseradish sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- You can customize the seasoning by adjusting the amount of pickling spice.
- Using the beef broth ensures the meat stays moist and flavorful during cooking.
- For best results, slice the meat against the grain to keep it tender.
- The dish can be reheated gently in the slow cooker or stovetop, adding extra broth if needed to keep it moist.
