Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (2024)

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe – easy to make, with just 5 minutes of prep work, crispy on the top and juicy on the inside corned beef brisket. This slow cooker dish tastes great when served with cabbage, potatoes, vegetables, but you can also use the leftovers on sandwiches, in soups, pizza, casseroles and dips.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (1)

ThisSlow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe is very simple to make and you can always make a big batch of it and freeze it. It reheats well.

I’ve always been a huge fan of corned beef and I wonder why I haven’t shared thisSlow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe on the blog so far.

So many people have been obsessed with the Instant Pot lately, but for corned beef brisket I like tho use my good old crockpot.

How do you cook a tender corned beef brisket in a slow cooker?

I think that the easiest way to cook corned beef is in the slow cooker. It requires minimal prep work and effort. You can still cook it in the oven, but it requires monitoring and you need to be extra careful to not burn or dry out the meat. The slow cooker makes the beef brisket tender, juicy and leaves it extra flavorful, due to the slow cooking.

How do you make corned beef that is crispy on the outside?

If you have experience using a slow cooker, you know that meats cooked in it are not crispy. In order to get the nice, crispy and crunchy crust on top of your slow cooker corned beef, you need to place it on a baking sheet, very lightly brush the top with oil and broil for 2-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn or overcook the meat, because it will dry out. This way you get the perfect slices of corned beef brisket, with a nice golden top.

What seasoning do you use for slow cooker corned beef?

If you are in the US, you may have noticed that corned beef brisket comes with its own seasoning pack. I suggest that you use it. What if the corned beef doesn’t come with a seasoning pack? The contents of the package usually are – what it is called pickling spice. It is basically a mix of:

  • Bay leaf (chopped, not whole)
  • Yellow or brown mustard seed
  • Black Peppercorns
  • Whole Allspice
  • Dried Chiles
  • Whole Cloves
Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (2)

So if your corned beef doesn’t come with a seasoning pack, you can pretty much make it yourself.

Since the beef is already pretty salty from the “corning process”, there is no need to add salt.

All I add to the slow cooker, when making thisSlow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe is – 3-4 lb corned beef with the seasoning packet, 1 small chopped onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 – 1.5 cups water, 2 small bay leaves and 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice. Adding vinegar (lemon juice) is totally optional, but makes the meat extra tender. If you look at some of my other slow cooker recipes for beef and pork, you may notice that I always add either vinegar or lemon juice.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (3)

What ingredients do you need to make slow cooker corned beef?

  • corned beef brisket
  • seasoning pack
  • onion
  • garlic
  • water
  • bay leaves
  • apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

How to make the best slow cooker corned beef?

  1. Place the onion on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the beef fat side up.

  2. Add the seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, lemon juice/apple cider vinegar (optional) and water.

  3. Cook on high for 7 hours or on low for 9-10 hours.

  4. Take the corned beef out of the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet (fat side up). Brush or spray with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil.

    Broil the meat for 2-4 minutes, keeping a close eye on it and leaving the oven door open, so it gets crispy and doesn’t burn.

    Slice and serve with desired side dish.

What to serve Slow Cooker Corned Beef With?

Some recipes call for adding vegetables – carrots, potatoes, cabbage to the crock pot, while the corned beef is cooking. This is what my husband likes, too.

I personally like to cook the meat on its own and prepare separate side dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts, oven fries and salads.

Looking for a Stove Top Corned Beef And Cabbage Recipe?

This (pictured below) is the best Corned Beef and Cabbage I’ve ever made! Cooked slowly on the stove top in a Dutch Oven.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (5)

5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe – easy to make, with just 5 minutes of prep work, crispy on the top and juicy on the inside corned beef brisket. This slow cooker dish tastes great when served with cabbage, potatoes, vegetables, but you can also use the leftovers on sandwiches, in soups, pizza, casseroles and dips.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 7 hours hrs

Total: 7 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds corned beef brisket, with the spice pack
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves, small, or 1 large
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, optional

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place the onion on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the beef fat side up.

  • Add the seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, lemon juice/apple cider vinegar (optional) and water.

  • Cook on high for 7 hours or on low for 9-10 hours.

  • Take the corned beef out of the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet (fat side up). Brush or spray with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil.

    Broil the meat for 2-4 minutes, keeping a close eye on it and leaving the oven door open, so it gets crispy and doesn’t burn.

    Slice and serve with desired side dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 2073mg, Potassium: 529mg, Vitamin C: 47.3mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 2.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinglsl or tag #cookinglsl!

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (10)

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I share simple, mostly low-carb and Keto recipes, that don't take a lot of time to make and use mostly seasonal, easy to find ingredients. I'm a supporter of healthy eating, but you'll also find some indulgent treats too.

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does corned beef need to be in liquid in a slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

How many hours does it take to cook corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

What are the secrets to cooking corned beef? ›

Bring everything to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook (don't disturb it much) until the corned beef is completely tender when pierced with a fork, about 3 to 4 hours. Remove the corned beef from the pot and slice across the grain to serve.

Do you use the liquid in the corned beef package? ›

Place the brined corned beef in a large pot or Dutch oven along with the liquid and spices that accompanied it in the package. Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot.

What happens if you don't put liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

Can you put beef in slow cooker without liquid? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

How to tell if corned beef is done slow cooker? ›

Please note that crock pot cooking times may vary greatly depending upon brand and style. It is important to check the meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F. For best results, monitor at regular intervals.

Can you overcook slow cooked corned beef? ›

You can overcook corned beef in a Crock-Pot if it's cooked for too long at too high of a temperature. Overcooked corned beef can taste tough and stringy. It's best to follow the recommended cook time and temperature within the recipe.

Does corned beef get more tender the longer it is cooked? ›

Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

What not to do when cooking corned beef? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Corned Beef
  1. Not Rinsing the Meat Before Cooking. ...
  2. Cooking Over a High Temperature. ...
  3. Not Filling the Pot with Enough Water. ...
  4. Not Cooking the Meat Long Enough. ...
  5. Cutting the Meat Incorrectly.
Sep 3, 2020

Is it better to boil or slow cook corned beef? ›

No matter the method you use, it's best to cook low and slow. Place the corned beef in a stockpot. Add the spice packet and a bottle of dark beer. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook on a low simmer for about 2.5-3.5 hours, or 45-50 minutes per pound.

What is the preferred method to cook corned beef? ›

The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling. Put the meat in a large pot, cover it with water or beef broth, add a seasoning packet and boil before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender and cooked to your liking.

How many people will a 5 lb corned beef feed? ›

A decent sized brisket of about five pounds will generally fit in a 6 quart unit. If you prefer the rounds, you can usually get two of them to fit in a large slow cooker. Each 2-5lb. package of corned beef, when cooked and trimmed, will serve 4-6 people.

Is it OK to not rinse corned beef? ›

Many recipes don't include a step for rinsing the meat, but it's worth doing it anyway. Depending on the pickling solution used for the meat, you may be in for a saltier meal than you bargained for if you cook the meat without rinsing it. And don't worry: Rinsing won't make the beef taste bland!

Do you put water or broth in corned beef? ›

Pour beef broth into the slow cooker with the brisket. You can also use half broth and half beer if you'd like. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours. Half way through the cooking time, add the potatoes, carrots and onions.

Can you cook corned beef in a slow cooker without water? ›

Corned beef is quite a delicious piece of meat. It's brined, and packed with flavor all on it's own. In this recipe, the meat cooks in it's own juice--no additional liquid is required--creating a beautifully roasted (not slimy!) meat with a sweet, mustard glaze.

Does beef need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

Should I cook corned beef in water or broth? ›

Slow Cooking

To make crock pot corned beef, rinse the brisket under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Then, place the meat in the slow cooker and add enough beef broth to cover it completely. Next, add chopped vegetables, such as sliced carrots, herbs and spices to infuse the meat with even more flavor.

Why is my slow cooked corned beef dry? ›

Letting the liquid level drop during cooking will dry out the corned beef and reduce its flavor. Slice the finished meat against the grain: Slicing along the grain will lead to chewy results even with the best corned beef. Always slice against the grain with a sharp knife for thin and neat slices.

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