Slow cooker corned beef without vegetables is an easy way to prepare this St. Patrick's Day classic holiday recipe. It is also wonderful to enjoy this any time of year. Simply dump a few ingredients into the CrockPot and soon the best juicy brisket is ready.
Why this is the best recipe for Corned Beef in the CrockPot: No chopping, prepping, & adding veggies. The cooking liquid is perfect for juicy savory meat but too strong for tender vegetables - cook them separately for best results.
Like my recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken, this is a fast dump it & forget it recipe. Great for a weeknight meal when you go to work. Or make it for St. Patrick's Day & enjoy a festive Irish-inspired meal.
Jump to:
- Corned Beef Brisket vs Round
- Ingredients for CrockPot Corned Beef
- What Cut of Corned Beef to Use?
- How to Cook Corned Beef in a Slow Cooker without Vegetables
- How Long to Cook Corned Beef in Slow Cooker
- Best Way to Slice Corned Beef
- What to Serve with Corned Beef
- Leftover Corned Beef Recipe Ideas
- Storing & Reheating Corned Beef
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef without Vegetables
- Desserts Recipes for St. Patrick's Day
Corned Beef Brisket vs Round
Here is an easy comparison chart for the two cuts of meat:
Ingredients for CrockPot Corned Beef
This recipe uses only 5 ingredients for a simple recipe that you can throw into the CrockPot in just 5 minutes. This recipe is for just the brisket by itself. This is what you need to cook corned beef without cabbage, carrots, or potatoes.
- Corned Beef - typically found in a package along with a spice packet. Costco has it seasonally starting in February I notice.
- Dijon/Whole Grain Mustard - adds flavor to the cooking liquid
- Molasses - balances the spices for a touch of sweetness that pairs well with savory meat.
- Cola - the soda adds sugar & is the base of the cooking liquid (diet coke works too).
- Garlic - chopped garlic for flavor.
Many corned beef recipes call for beer, think Guinness, or beef broth. I try to keep this gluten-free so I opt not to use a beer and beef broth instead.
What Cut of Corned Beef to Use?
How to Cook Corned Beef in a Slow Cooker without Vegetables
Here is all you need to do to get this in the CrockPot and cooking in just 5 minutes. It is one of my favorite Slow Cooker Main Dishes because it so simple, quick, & easy.
- Mix the Liquid
- Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
- Cook
- Slice & Serve
1 - Mix the Liquid
mix up all the cooking liquid ingredients in a measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring. Whisk together the Coke, garlic, molasses, dijon mustard, and the seasoning packet from the corned beef.
2 - Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Add the corned beef to the insert of your slow cooker. Pour on the cooking liquid.
3 - Cook
Put the lid on and set it to cook. It is that easy and only takes a few minutes. It is a true dump & go CrockPot corned beef recipe.
How Long to Cook Corned Beef in Slow Cooker
In the slow cooker, you can choose either to cook it on low or on high. The cooking time suggestions for corned beef are as follows:
- Slow Cooker on High for 4 hours
- Slow Cooker on Low for 8 hours (my referred time!)
TIP: If you have frozen corned beef, defrost it in the refrigerator for about 3 days before cooking it in the slow cooker. I don't recommend cooking it from frozen.
Best Way to Slice Corned Beef
Here are my simple tips & tricks for how to slice cooked corned beef into perfect slices that don't fall apart.
- Use two sets of tongs to grab both ends & a bit underneath to move to a large cutting board.
- Use a sharp chef's knife & keep it at a right angle.
- Make perpendicular slices across the grain. Aim to make each slice about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Slicing it this way ( against the grain ) is important!
If you cut it the other way it will shred and not come out in slices. If you do that by accident at first, no worries it still tastes great and those bits can be used in hash or my Corned Beef & Egg Scramble the next day at breakfast - yum!
What to Serve with Corned Beef
The classic is corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and boiled potatoes. I like to boil these in a separate pot just before the brisket is ready. Or try one of these great recipes as a side dish:
Leftover Corned Beef Recipe Ideas
Leftover corned beef is amazing so you will want to cook more than you plan to eat the first night. Make a gourmet burger and top a Grilled Wagyu Burger for a meat lovers special. Or add it to quiche, Cottage Pie or my POT PIE SOUP.
Storing & Reheating Corned Beef
Cooked corned beef can be stored for up to 5 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for later usage for up to 3 months in an air-tight container.
To reheat, place slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. You can also crumble it up and add it to a skillet to make hash or mix in with eggs for breakfast.
FAQ
The best way to check if it is ready is to use a meat thermometer. Anything over 145° is the minimum to be safe but I recommend cooking for longer & here's why.
It should read 165° for it to be done, safe to eat, & fork tender. Slow cooking is key for this type of meat to ensure it breaks down properly and renders juicy slices that are soft & delish.
I am using a round cut. You can also use beef silverside or any cut of corned beef brisket such as the point, flat & round. For more information check out BEST CUT OF CORNED BEEF.
Whether your cut of meat is brined in the English manner which renders a grey corned beef or corned with nitrates for a red corned beef, it all cooks the same in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef without Vegetables
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Corned Beef with spice packet
- 1 can cola
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon dijon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
Instructions
- Open up the corned beef and remove it from the packaging. Place it in the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Reserve the spice packet that came with the corned beef.
- In a 2-cup or larger pourable measuring cup, add the remaining ingredients. Make sure you include the spice packet as well. Whisk to combine. Pour liquid mixture over the corned beef.
- Put the lid on your slow cooker. Set on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Once the timer is done, the corned beef is ready. Remove it carefully from the hot liquid and CrockPot. Place on a cutting board and let it rest about 5 minutes before slicing.
- Using a sharp knife or electric knife, slice the corned beef into medium to thin slices, whichever you prefer. To cut this correctly, slice against the grain so you will have slices that hold together and do not shred.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes. To store, place in air-tight containers and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Notes
- Store leftovers up to 5 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator or 30 days in the freezer.
- To reheat, place slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Crumble and add to an egg scramble.
- Saute with potatoes & onions for hash.
- Slice for sandwiches or add to grilled cheese.
- Add to bean or potato soups, casseroles, or mac & cheese.
- Instead of cola, use a can of beer or broth.
- Add thin slices of cabbage to the top for for the final hour of cooking on high or 2 hours on low. Easiest Corned Beef & Cabbage recipe!
Nutrition
Desserts Recipes for St. Patrick's Day
Want to celebrate with a feast, try these desserts to finish off your holiday meal:
Alexis Farmer says
I’m a sucker for corned beef! I’ve never made it before but think I’m gonna try this recipe.
Angela says
This is a great beginner recipe for corned beef. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it.
KATHARINE says
I love everything about this post with one exception. What is "left over corned beef"? I believe this is a myth like the unicorn. I've made at least a hundred corned beef dinners and have never experienced this phenomenon. Seriously tho....love corned beef and stock up every year!
Angela says
Too funny - we typically don't have much leftover, to be honest.
Tammy Horvath says
It probably tastes better the next day after it absorbs more of the flavoring while it's cold. I know my meatloaf always does.
Debbie says
Wonderful, mouth-watering pictures! I love your method of cooking separately. Great explanations on how you are cooking. Love it! I haven't tried it yet.
Angela says
Thanks for the comment and I am glad to hear you appreciate the details behind the recipe. Let me know what you think after you make it.
Sabrina DeWalt says
I've never cooked corned beef before. I might have to make this for St. Patty's Day next month.
Angela says
Now is the time for corned beef, give it a try.
Marianne says
Looks delish! I have never made corned beef in a slow cooker before!
Elaina says
One of my favorites. Reminds of my grandma's cooking. 😋
Angela says
Love hearing that.
Kendra says
I'm definitely interested in trying this with the cola and molasses. Yum!
Barbara says
WOW! This sounds so good!
Angela says
Thanks!
Kristen W Allred says
I've never had corned beef, but your pictures made me want to try. Thanks for the recipe!
Angie says
It is hot and all crazy here in Colorado this week. I never tried corned beef in the CrockPot but glad I tried this recipe. It was so good for dinner and I sliced it thin this morning for sandwiches all week. No way do I want to turn on the stove or oven so this is great.
Barrett says
So easy & turned out just how we like it.
Patricia says
I'm going to try this next week! Would like to know if I use six pounds of corn beef instead of three, will the time still be the same if setting is on high on the crock pot?
Angela says
It should take the same amount of time. If you set it on high in the slow cooker it should take about 4 hours, 5 at most. I have done up to a 5lb in the past and it took the same time as the smaller ones have. You may need more liquid if the one can of cola and other ingredients are not covering or at least as high as the top of the roast.