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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.
My Corned Beef didn’t come with a spice packet!
You can use pickling spice in place of the spice packet which is available in the spice aisle or make your own spice mixture using the following:
2 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon anise seeds
4 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Put coriander seeds, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and anise seeds in a hot skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, you want to be able to smell the spices. Add in the bay leaves and red pepper flakes and stir together for about 30 seconds. Put the mixture into a blender or small food processor and pulse a few times to release the flavors.
Use about 2 Tbsp of the mixture.
Pair this with
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.
Can I make this in the instant pot?
You can also make your Corned Beef in the Instant Pot with these directions. It works great!
Check out more fun St. Patrick’s Day recipes:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Rinse corned beef
- 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.
nest of posies says
this looks incredible!!! i love corned beef – anytime!
Frugal Tired Mom says
Thank you for posting this recipe. I’m in love with my slow cooker…it makes life so much easier! I featured this on my own blog for St. Patty’s Day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! http://frugaltiredmom.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/st-patricks-day-slow-cooker-corned-beef-feast/
Leigh Anne says
Glad you liked it – thanks for sharing it!
Niari says
I never knew this meal was to celebrate St. Patricks because as kids, my mom always made this. It’s now one of my kids’ favorite and March is always the cheapest time to buy it so we stock up. I have never tried it in broth. Cooking it in water with the season packets us good too if you didn’t have broth on hand.
Liz says
Thank you for the nice recipe Leigh Anne. Have a Great Day!
Tiffany says
This looks delish! I’m like you and not much on food that’s green but not suppose to be. However, sign me up for the corned beef!