Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Brisket Recipes Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage 4.0 (1,072) Our most popular corned beef recipe makes it easy to get tender meat and vegetables cooked just right—and it cooks hands-off in the slow cooker. Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 5 hrs 15 mins Servings: 6 Jump to recipe It’s everyone’s favorite St. Patrick’s Day dinner and, with this slow-cooker corned beef recipe, it’s easy to make. There’s just a little prep, then the crock pot takes over. The corned beef, carrots, onion, celery, and potatoes are all combined in one pot for ease. It’s a streamlined approach to this classic meal that starts with a three-pound piece of corned beef and the pickling spices that come with it in a packet. Often it contains a mixture of black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and bay leaves which amp up the flavor of the finished dish. It takes about five hours to cook on the high setting and 10 hours on the low setting—and doesn't need any tending during that time. All About Traditional Irish Soda Bread—and the Best Way to Enjoy It Credit: Brie Goldman What Is Corned Beef? Corned beef is a type of salt-cured beef. The meat, typically a brisket, sits in a salty brine for at least a week. You can corn beef at home, but many home cooks prefer to buy an already cured beef to cook. The corned beef is cooked long and slow—and the result is a tender piece of meat. The salt brine can be flavored with different spices. These might include a mix of coriander seeds, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and cloves. Tips for Making the Best Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Corned beef and cabbage will take about five hours to cook on the high setting, and 10 hours on the low setting.We use Savoy cabbage because we like the way it looks—and tastes. Feel free to use regular green cabbage if you prefer.When cutting the cabbage, leave the root end in so the wedges stay intact. This makes a much better presentation.Add the cabbage wedges after the root vegetables toward the end of cooking since they take less time to soften than carrots, onions, and celery. This ensures the cabbage is still green and appetizing but is also tender when the meal is ready to serve. Allow about 45 mins for the cabbage if cooking the corned beef on high, and about 1 1/2 hours if cooking on low. The Right Way to Slice Corned Beef Always let corned beef rest for 10 minutes once it is finished cooking. This allows time for the meat juices to redistribute. If you slice corned beef immediately, the juices will seep out and the meat will seem dry. Place the corned beef fat side down on a chopping board. Use a sharp carving knife to remove any excess fat, if desired.Slice the corned beef against the grain. Directions Credit: Brie Goldman Place vegetables in slow cooker: In a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker, place celery, carrots, onion, potatoes, and thyme. Credit: Brie Goldman Add corned beef: Place corned beef, fat side up, on top of vegetables and sprinkle with pickling spice. Credit: Brie Goldman Add water and cook: Add enough water to almost cover meat (4 to 6 cups). Cover and cook on high until corned beef is tender, 4 1/4 hours (or 8 1/2 hours on low). Credit: Brie Goldman Add cabbage and cook: Arrange cabbage over corned beef, cover, and continue cooking until cabbage is tender, 45 minutes (or 1 1/2 hours on low). Credit: Brie Goldman Slice corned beef: Thinly slice corned beef against the grain. Credit: Brie Goldman Serve: Serve with vegetables, cooking liquid, and grainy mustard. Credit: Brie Goldman How to Store Corned Beef Once cooked and cooled completely, corned beef can be refrigerated for three to four days—or frozen for two to three months. If you have uncooked corned beef, store it in the pouch with the pickling spices in the refrigerator for five to seven days. Frequently Asked Questions Do you need to rinse corned beef before cooking? Yes, you do need to rinse corned beef before cooking. Corned beef should be rinsed because it is cured in a salt brine and there is probably excess salt on the meat. The uncooked corned beef should be rinsed under cool running water before cooking. Is corned beef and cabbage a traditional Irish food? No, corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish food. Beef was relatively rare and pricey in Ireland. Bacon and cabbage or a stew with lamb were more common foods. Corned beef became popular with Irish settlers in the United States where beef was much more affordable. Can you boil or bake corned beef and cabbage? Yes, you can boil or bake corned beef. The most common preparation for corned beef is boiling, whether on the stovetop or in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Baked corned beef is less common. Other Corned Beef Recipes and Side Dishes to Try Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Quick-Brined Corned Beef and Vegetables Irish Soda Bread Colcannon Beet Horseradish Updated by Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the decorvow recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.