There are so many ways to enjoy this dish, including for dinner, sandwiches, and corned beef hash. Here’s how to cook corned beef in a slow cooker.
When it comes to many American families, the traditional St. Patrick’s Day tradition. The air is filled with the enticing, salty aroma, and the carrots, potatoes, and cabbage are all infused with it.
However, despite its allure and nostalgia, corned beef isn’t an authentic Irish dish. Or, more accurately, it isn’t authentic Irish food. The Smithsonian claims that beef (and corned beef) were prohibitively expensive for the majority of Irish people. Therefore, despite the fact that it became increasingly popular as an export in the 17th century, the Irish weren’t actually eating it. When Irish immigrants arrived in New York later in the 19th century, beef became finally affordable to them, and they eagerly consumed corned beef (though it was a different variety than what Ireland had been exporting). So while many Americans associate it with St. Patrick’s Day, it is an Irish-American thing.
Having said all of that, corned beef and cabbage is a delicious dish for March 17 or any time. Here’s how to cook corned beef in the slow cooker.
Corned beef is a salt-cured beef brisket. It’s frequently sold with a seasoning packet in the US, and this recipe uses that seasoning packet. If yours is missing the packet, Hilda’s Kitchen Blog has instructions for making your own corned beef seasoning. There are two cuts of corned beef: flat cut and point cut. More fat is marbled throughout the point cut, improving its flavor. However, when the meat is slow-cooked, as in this recipe, the flat cut has an even layer of fat on one side that ensures the meat stays moist. The flat cut is also uniform in thickness, making it easy to place on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
The selection of slow cookers comes in a huge variety of sizes and shapes. You’ll need a large crock because this recipe takes up a lot of space in it. I slow-cook corned beef in a sizable 6-quart slow cooker. You might need to cook the vegetables separately in a smaller slow cooker.
How Long Do You Cook Corned Beef In The Crockpot?
It depends on what setting you are cooking. A 3–4 pound corned beef brisket requires 8–10 hours of cooking time on low and 4-5 hours on high.
How to make Tender Corned Beef?
No matter what method you use to cook the brisket, it is a good idea to pierce it with a knife and add some garlic cloves. The meat will become more flavorful and tender as a result.
How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef
- Place the corned beef in the slow cooker and sprinkle with the seasoning packet it comes with. Add in 4 cups of beef broth.
- Turn your slow cooker onto low for 8-9 hours.
- Add the potatoes and carrots halfway through the cooking time. This prevents them from over cooking and getting too mushy. To make it more authentic, you could also add in some cabbage. I don’t care for cabbage and care even less for the way it smells while it is cooking. The smell takes me back to those days when the school cafeteria fixed it! Don’t add the cabbage until the last hour though if you are going to use it.
- Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and slice it like you would a brisket. It will be nice and tender and basically pull apart.
Making delicious Corned Beef Reuben sandwiches is one of our favorite pastimes. Additionally, you can combine it with eggs to create a has.
These instructions will help you prepare corned beef in the Instant Pot as well. It works great!.
Some other fun St. Patrick’s Day treats include:
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- ▢ 1 3-4 lb. corned beef with spice packet flat cut
- ▢ 4 carrots cut into pieces
- ▢ 8 small red potatoes halved or quartered depending on size
- ▢ 1 onion peeled cut into chunks
- ▢ 4 cups beef broth
- ▢ 1/2 head cabbage coarsely chopped
- Place brisket into slow cooker
- Add beef broth
- Sprinkle meat with seasoning packet
- Cook on low for 8-9 hours
- Half way through cooking process add vegetables
- If using cabbage add that one hour before ready to eat.
How to Cook the Best Tender Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker~Easy Cooking
FAQ
How many hours does it take to cook corned beef?
Is it better to cook corned beef on high or low?
Does corned beef need to be in liquid in a slow cooker?
Can you overcook corned beef in a slow cooker?