You will love this easy crock pot corned beef recipe! It’s a set it and forget it dinner that is made all in one dish – your crock pot! See how to this easy dinner recipe using brisket, traditional Irish seasonings and vegetables.

You’re going to love the simplicity of this crock pot corned beef recipe. It’s just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and certain to be a hit for everyone in your family. Pair it up with some sauerkraut and you’ve got a complete meal with an amazing taste! 

I can’t tell you how many times the crock pot has been my savior. I love how simple and easy it is to use and it allows me to have a hot and delicious meal for the family with minimal effort.

Plus, there’s no denying that the smells from the crock pot wafting through the house throughout the day just make everyone anxious and ready to eat as well. We’ve made this crock pot corned beef and potatoes recipe several times and there’s a reason that we continue to make it over and over again! 

What is crock pot corned beef?

Corned beef is a class Irish dish made with meat, spices and potatoes. Believe it or not, corned beef is actually made from an inexpensive cut of beef. Brisket!

That cut of beef is then cured and covered in salt and brine to get it the taste and texture that we’ve all come to love. The term “corned” beef comes from the large grains of salt sometimes called corn.

The process of turning the brisket into corned beef is also what makes it so tender and delicious as well.  Corned beef is an Irish recipe that most people eat around Saint Patrick’s Day.

Crock Pot Corned Beef ingredients

To make this easy crock pot corned beef, you’re going to need the following ingredients: 

• 3-4 pounds of beef brisket
• 1 tablespoon pickling spice (some briskets are packaged with the spice)
• 6 large carrots, cut into about 2-inch pieces
• 2 pounds of small potatoes (peeled or with skins left on)
• 1 medium head of cabbage, cut into wedges
• 32 ounces of low salt beef broth

Beef brisket – You can purchase this cut of beef at any type of store and remember, it doesn’t have to be pricey.  Some places sell corned beef cuts with the spices attached but I have found that they mark those way up. It’s just as easy (and less expensive) to buy a brisket and add the spices yourself.

Pickling spices – If you buy a brisket with the pickling spices, use them for this recipe. If not, you can add on some simple spices of crushed black peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill seeds, and a few other ingredients for flavoring as well. 

You can either make your own pickling spice or try a pre-made one. McCormick’s makes a great one that we use for this recipe and others.

Carrots – We like them peeled for this recipe but that’s totally up to you. Baby carrots would work fine as well. 

Small potatoes – Small red potatoes seem to have the best flavor and taste but use whatever potatoes you prefer or have on hand.

Cabbage – You need one regular head of cabbage here.

Low Salt Beef Broth – We use low sodium because the pickling spices already have quite a bit of salt added into them. You can add salt in, but you can’t take it out!

What is in the spice packet for corned beef?

The main ingredients that you’ll find in the spice packet for corned beef are black peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander seeds, dill seed, a bit of allspice, some bay leaves, and possibly some red paper flakes.

You can easily make your own or buy some from the store.

How to make easy corned beef in the slow cooker

Start by layering your potatoes and carrots on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. 

Next, place your brisket on top of the vegetables.

Sprinkle pickling spices on top of the meat. (unless the meat already has spices on)

Pour the beef broth over the meat. 

Cover and cook on high for about 6 hours or until the meat is tender. 

Add cabin wedges and continue to cook for about 45-60 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. 

Remove meat and vegetables to serving platter and slice meat. (Make certain that you’re cutting against the grain for best slices.) 

How do you know when corned beef is done in the slow cooker?

There are a couple of different ways to ensure that your corned beef is done and ready to eat. The first is to see if it’s tender and you can do so by using a fork. If the meat shreds apart easily, it’s cooked and ready. 

The safest way to check and see if the corned beef is done is to use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature. For it to be cooked thoroughly, it should have an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees. 

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

No, it’s actually quite the opposite. If you overcook your corned beef, it’s going to be dried out and tough. Following the cooking directions is key to having corned beef that is tender. 

How to make in the Instant Pot

Want to make this easy corned beef even faster? Use your Instant Pot! Follow the directions here –

1. Place the brisket in the bottom on the inner pot.
2. Sprinkle the spices over top.
3. Pour in the water.
4. Put the lid on, place the vent to SEALING and set to manual high-pressure for 90 minutes. It will take 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
5. When done cooking, allow the Instant Pot to come to natural pressure and wait until the pin drops to remove the lid.
6. Take out the brisket and set aside to rest, leaving the water in the pot.
7. Place the potatoes, carrots and cabbage in the Instant Pot. Put the lid on, set to SEALING again and cook for 7 minutes on manual high pressure.
8. When done cooking, do a quick release.
9. Slice your brisket, add your vegetables and enjoy!

Easy sides for corned beef

Don’t forget to add in some delicious sides to go along with your corned beef. These easy side dishes make a great addition to your crock pot corned beef:

• Irish soda bread
• Honey cornbread
• Brussels sprouts

How do you store corned beef and potatoes?

The easiest way to store corned beef and potatoes is to add them to a glass container with a lid and store them in the fridge. This will keep it fresh for at least a couple of days so that everyone can easily enjoy the leftovers. 

Other crock pot dinners to try:

• Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken 
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Crock Pot Firecracker Nachos
• Crock Pot Roast Dinner
• Crock Pot Italian Swiss Steak

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