Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage is a classic Irish-style dinner made easy in the slow cooker. Cooking the corned beef low and slow helps break down the tough fibers, resulting in tender, flavorful meat paired with simple vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
🕒 Cook Time: 8-9 hours on low (or 4-5 hours on high)
👪 Serves: 4-6 servings
🍽 Calories: ~520 calories per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Corned beef brisket, baby potatoes, carrots, green cabbage
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free; dairy-free; naturally low carb without potatoes
👌 Difficulty: Easy - slow cook, add vegetables, slice and serve
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Using the crockpot allows the corned beef to cook gently while absorbing the spices from the seasoning packet. Adding the vegetables at the right time keeps them tender without becoming mushy, making this a reliable method for a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner.
If you're looking for other one-pot dinner recipes, try our Beef Vegetable Stew, Chicken Fried Rice or Chicken Broccoli Cauliflower Rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage FAQs:
- More Crockpot Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Why You'll Love this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage:
Classic Irish-style dinner: A traditional corned beef and cabbage meal made easy in the crockpot.
Tender, flavorful meat: Slow cooking helps the corned beef turn tender and easy to slice.
Simple ingredients: Made with just a handful of vegetables and the included seasoning packet.
Hands-off cooking: The crockpot does most of the work with very little prep.
Great for family meals: This recipe serves a crowd and works well for special occasions or Sunday dinners.
Key Ingredients:
- corned beef. Choose a 3-4 pound brisket with the included seasoning packet, it adds the signature salty, spiced flavor.
- baby potatoes. Halved for quicker, even cooking; gold or red potatoes hold their shape best.
- carrots. Add natural sweetness and color to balance the savory beef.
- green cabbage. Use green cabbage for its mild flavor and tender texture when roasted alongside the beef.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Add extra vegetables: Include parsnips or turnips along with the potatoes and carrots for a more traditional Irish-style mix.
- Lower-carb option: Skip the potatoes and serve the corned beef with cabbage and carrots only.
- Different cabbage cut: Cut the cabbage into wedges or thick slices instead of quarters for slightly firmer texture.
- Extra flavor boost: Add a bay leaf or a few whole peppercorns along with the seasoning packet for deeper flavor.
- Spice level adjustment: If you prefer milder flavor, use only part of the seasoning packet; for bolder flavor, add it all.
How to Make Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage:
- Place the corned beef in the bottom of the crockpot, fat side up. Sprinkle the seasoning packet over the top.
- Add enough water to just cover the corned beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the meat is tender.
- About 2 hours before serving, add the halved potatoes and sliced carrots to the crockpot.
- During the last 60-90 minutes, add the cabbage quarters, nestling them gently into the liquid.
- Once everything is tender, remove the corned beef and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Serve the sliced corned beef with the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Cook low and slow for best results: Corned beef becomes most tender when cooked on low heat for a longer period of time.
- Use the seasoning packet: The included spice packet adds classic flavor, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Add vegetables in stages: Potatoes and carrots need more time than cabbage, which helps prevent mushy vegetables.
- Slice against the grain: Cutting the corned beef against the grain keeps the meat tender and easier to chew.
- Let the meat rest: Allow the corned beef to rest for a few minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
- Don't overcook the cabbage: Adding cabbage toward the end keeps it tender but not overly soft.
- Serve with mustard or horseradish: Classic condiments that pair perfectly with the savory beef.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store leftover corned beef and vegetables in an airtight container with some of the cooking liquid for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled portions of beef and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm in a covered baking dish at 325°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a few tablespoons of broth or water to keep everything moist.
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage FAQs:
Crockpot corned beef and cabbage becomes tender by cooking the corned beef low and slow in enough liquid to keep it submerged. Cooking on low heat allows the connective tissue to break down, resulting in tender, sliceable meat.
Cabbage should be added during the last 60-90 minutes of cooking. Adding it too early can cause it to become overly soft and mushy.
Crockpot corned beef should be sliced against the grain after resting for a few minutes. This helps keep the meat tender and easier to chew when served with the vegetables.
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Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds corned beef, with seasoning packet
- ½ pound baby potatoes, halved
- 5 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 small head green cabbage, quartered
Instructions
- Place the corned beef in the bottom of the crockpot, fat side up. Sprinkle the seasoning packet over the top.
- Add enough water to just cover the corned beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the meat is tender.
- About 2 hours before serving, add the halved potatoes and sliced carrots to the crockpot.
- During the last 60-90 minutes, add the cabbage quarters, nestling them gently into the liquid.
- Once everything is tender, remove the corned beef and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Serve the sliced corned beef with the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Nutrition
Notes
- Cook low and slow for best results: Corned beef becomes most tender when cooked on low heat for a longer period of time.
- Use the seasoning packet: The included spice packet adds classic flavor, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Add vegetables in stages: Potatoes and carrots need more time than cabbage, which helps prevent mushy vegetables.
- Slice against the grain: Cutting the corned beef against the grain keeps the meat tender and easier to chew.
- Let the meat rest: Allow the corned beef to rest for a few minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
- Don't overcook the cabbage: Adding cabbage toward the end keeps it tender but not overly soft.
- Serve with mustard or horseradish: Classic condiments that pair perfectly with the savory beef.
Doreen says
I just made this for St. Patrick's Day and it was so good! Can't beat hands-off cooking in a crockpot.