How to cook corned beef brisket in slow cooker

Let the crockpot do all the work for you – simply throw everything in and you are set. It’s so easy, so tender and so flavorful!

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays for one sole reason: the corned beef. I wait 364 days out of the year to buy a huge corned beef brisket. And since I only get to do this once a year, I go all out – from the baby potatoes to the lemon roasted cabbage.

It’s quite a spread, and also a bit too much work so this slow cooker version comes in super handy. All you have to do is dump everything into the slow cooker and you’re set! Really. There’s no searing, no dicing, no nothing. Even you veggies can get thrown in there as is.

Easy peasy. Although I should warn you – since this recipe is practically effortless, you’ll be tempted to make this more often than just once a year. There’s no judgment here though – I’ve honestly made it twice just this last month! After all, I can just chalk that up to “recipe-testing,” right?

• 1 3-pound corned beef brisket, plus pickling spice packet
• 8 whole cloves
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 bay leaves
• 24 baby carrots, tops trimmed to 2 inches
• 1 pound baby Dutch potatoes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

• Place corned beef brisket, fat side up, into a slow cooker; sprinkle with pickling spice.

• Place whole cloves throughout the brisket. Add garlic, bay leaves and 2 cups water, or more water as needed to cover the brisket by at least 1 inch.

• Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. Add carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for an additional 2-3 hours, or until tender.

• Thinly slice the corned beef against the grain. Serve immediately with carrots and potatoes, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Posted: 3/11/14Updated: 3/04/22

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef is the easiest way to make corned beef. It turns out tender and delicious every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Making your slow cooker corned beef is not only easy but you end up with a nice tender, tear apart piece of meat and it is so simple to do.

It is also a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without having to eat green food! I like green food but I don’t like food that is green that is not suppose to be green (i.e., eggs, potatoes, pancakes etc.)

What is Corned Beef?

Corned Beef is a salt cured beef product and probably became popular in the 17th century when they began curing meat with salt. For me, corned beef is more like ham than it is like beef.  It has the salty flavor and similar texture. It is also known as corned beef brisket.

Flat Cut Vs. Point Cut

Corned Beef is usually available in two different cuts, flat cut and point cut.  Which should you use?

After a little research I discovered that a flat cut corned beef was the way to go.  It is easier to find and it is lean and when cooked properly, it is tender and flavorful. Sliced across the grain, the slices of corned beef are fantastic for sandwiches the next day, or they can be diced for a wonderful meal of corned beef hash.    A Point Cut, looks like it’s name, it comes to a point at the end.

Ingredients Needed

• Corned Beef. I used a flat cut. You will also use the pickling spice packet that comes with it.
• Veggies. Carrots, Red Potatoes, Onion and cabbage is optional
• Beef Broth.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do with leftovers?

Our favorite thing to do is make a delicious Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich.   You can also add it in with eggs and make a has out of it.

Some other fun St. Patrick’s Day treats include:

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

Prep:5 minutes

Cook:8 hours

0 minutes

Total:8 hours 5 minutes

• ▢ 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.

Calories: 639kcal (32%)Carbohydrates: 42g (14%)Protein: 40g (80%)Fat: 34g (52%)Saturated Fat: 11g (69%)Cholesterol: 122mg (41%)Sodium: 3277mg (142%)Potassium: 1922mg (55%)Fiber: 6g (25%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 5166IU (103%)Vitamin C: 103mg (125%)Calcium: 80mg (8%)Iron: 6mg (33%)

* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.

Course:Main Dish

Cuisine:Irish

Originally posted March 11, 2014