Slow cooker corned beef 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. Thanks to this simple recipe, you can have tender corned beef even for a weeknight dinner whenever you crave it. We enjoy this about 3-4 times a year, it is that tasty and easy. Simply dump a few ingredients into the CrockPot and soon the best juicy brisket is ready.
This recipe is how to make corned beef without vegetables and for just the brisket by itself. You can add vegetables if your slow cooker is big enough but I prefer to do it separately so that each item retains its unique flavors. The cooking liquid for this slow-cooked corned beef is robust to help retain all the brine spices that are classic for this dish. This often doesn't translate to the best liquid for potatoes or cabbage that may soak up too much and either become soggy or saturated in the broth base to this.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef sliced on cutting board with carrots and potatoes
Ingredients for Slow Cooking Corned Beef
This recipe uses a soda to create the cooking liquid but you can use other liquids too. 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 is ok but I found the added sugars that a soda brings pairs against the other ingredients. The added grain dijon mustard, molasses, and garlic round out what is needed for this corned beef recipe. 5 ingredients in all for a simple dinner recipe.
I am using a corned beef round that I got from Costco. It comes with the spice packet and the size usually feeds about 6 people. You can also use this easy slow cooker recipe for beef silverside or any cut of corned beef brisket such as the point, flat & round. 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. For more information check out BEST CUT OF CORNED BEEF.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef ingredients
How to Make the Corned Beef in the CrockPot
The first step is to mix all the ingredients together except for the corned beef. I add the spice packet that comes with the corned beef also to the liquid mixture and whisk. To the slow cooker add the corned beef brisket and pour the liquid over it. I am using corned beef that is fresh and has never been frozen in my CrockPot. If you have frozen corned beef, defrost it in the refrigerator for about 3 days before cooking it in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef cooking liquid mixture
Slow Cooker Corned Beef pouring liquid over corned beef
How Long to Cook Corned Beef
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
This is what mine looked like after Low for 8 hours. It was a huge corned beef round that I used and barely fit into my cooker but still cooked through. I use two sets of tongs and both hands to grab it out of the insert to transfer to a cutting board. Be careful as sometimes it just starts to shred and fall apart since it is so tender. It can then fall back into the hot cooking liquid and splash which is dangerous so CAUTION!
How do You Know When Corned Beef is Done?
The best is to use a meat thermometer. It should read 145° for it to be done and ready to eat. It will likely be above that with this recipe but 145° is the minimum to be safe. Slow cooking is key for this type of meat to ensure it breaks down properly and renders a fork-tender texture.
How to Slice Corned Beef
Just like with other roasts and cuts of meat, you always want to cut against the grain when slicing your corned beef brisket. This will create even slices that hold together. 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 a corned beef hash the next day at breakfast - yum!
Slow Cooker Corned Beef sliced on cutting board
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. I start with the carrots and potatoes and then in the last few minutes add the cabbage which cooks a lot quicker than the other two items. Once they are done, I transfer them to a platter using a slotted spoon and top with butter, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
Add EASY HOMEMADE SOFT DINNER ROLLS for a large meal offering.
For a Festive St Patrick's Day Celebration you need something with alcohol and a fun green dessert. Make these delicious ST PATRICKS DAY PUDDING SHOTS.
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. There are lots of options and recipes you can use up your leftover corned beef. Of course, it is great in sandwiches like a Reuben or to top a burger with for a meat lover's special. It is also perfect in a corned beef hash with eggs for breakfast. I have even added it to quiche and to Cottage Pie for a new recipe idea. But I also enjoy leftover corned beef in my POT PIE SOUP.
Storing 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.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef ready to eat
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Slow Cooker Corned Beef
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
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 6 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 421 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 28.5g | 37% |
Saturated Fat 12.2g | 61% |
Cholesterol 142mg | 47% |
Sodium 2038mg | 89% |
Total Carbohydrate 9g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 0.1g | 0% |
Total Sugars 7.4g | |
Protein 30.6g | |
Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
Calcium 30mg | 2% |
Iron 12mg | 69% |
Potassium 388mg | 8% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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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.