Name: Slow Cooker Corned Beef
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 485 min
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 C beef broth; 1/2 head cabbage (coarsely chopped)

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The easiest way to cook your corned beef in the slow cooker! It turns out tender and delicious every time.

Since discovering I was 30 percent Irish I love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have lots of fun green food ideas for you too. You can find all my St. Patrick’s Day recipes here.

I know a lot of people have a green dinner to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. 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.) So instead of celebrating with a “green dinner” I’d rather celebrate with a little more traditional cuisine. Corned Beef seems to be a favorite choice. Now I have been to Ireland and must admit I never was served or ate corned beef while I was there. I’m thinking maybe we in the US eat a lot more corned beef to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than they do in Ireland?? Any Irish readers want to weigh in on this? Would love to know what you have to eat to celebrate!

What is Corned Beef?

That is the question my husband asked me the other day after having eaten corned beef.

Honestly, I couldn’t answer him so guess what I did? Yes, I Googled it. Here’s what I found: 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.

I decided to try cooking the corned beef in the slow cooker. It works and it works well. You end up with a really nice tender, tear apart piece of meat and it is so simple to do.

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. The Point Cut is better for shredding. I used a flat cut.

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.

Half way through the cooking time, add the potatoes and carrots. 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.

What Do You Serve Corned Beef With?

In addition to the corned beef, carrots and potatoes, I love to bake up a loaf of Soda Bread. For dessert, serve your family a Shamrock Shake for a bit of green!

Of course leftovers make this delicious Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich.

You can also make your Corned Beef in the Instant Pot with these directions.

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

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