Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage: Tender & Flavorful (Print Version)

Make easy slow cooker corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day or any night! Get tender, flavorful results with minimal effort. My simple recipe.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Irish-American
Dietary: Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 (3-4 pound) corned beef brisket (flat cut preferred)
02 - 1 head green cabbage, cut into 6-8 wedges
03 - 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold or Red Bliss potatoes, quartered
04 - 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
05 - 1 large yellow or white onion, roughly chopped

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
07 - 1 pickling spice packet (usually included with corned beef)
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Finishing Touches

09 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, take that beautiful corned beef brisket out of its package and give it a good rinse under cold water. This helps wash off any excess brine, which can make things too salty. Pat it dry with paper towels; I always feel like this helps it brown a little better, even if it's just in my head! Place it fat-side up in your slow cooker. I didn't expect that much fat the first time, but it renders down and keeps the meat incredibly moist, which is what we want for tender slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
02 - Next, pour the beef broth around the corned beef, not directly over it, if you can help it. Then, sprinkle that crucial pickling spice packet over the top. Don't forget it like I did that one time—oops! Toss in your minced garlic cloves. The aroma already starts to build, even before cooking, and it just promises good things. I always take a deep breath here, anticipating the deliciousness. This step is key for a truly flavorful easy slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
03 - Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. I always go for low because it yields the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth corned beef. Seriously, the patience pays off! You'll start to smell it about an hour in, and it's just heavenly. This is where the magic happens for tender slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
04 - With about 2-3 hours left on the cooking time (if on low), it's time for the veggies! Carefully add your chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion around the corned beef. Don't worry if they seem crowded; they'll soften and make room. I usually give them a gentle stir to get them nestled in the broth. This ensures they absorb all those wonderful flavors with your easy slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
05 - About 1 hour before the cooking time is up, add your cabbage wedges. I just kind of tuck them in wherever they'll fit. They don't need as much time as the other vegetables, and you want them tender but not mushy. Sometimes I have to really squish them down, but they always fit. This timing is crucial for perfectly cooked slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
06 - Once everything is cooked and fork-tender, carefully remove the corned beef to a cutting board. Tent it with foil and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This is super important for juicy slices! While it rests, you can scoop out the veggies. Slice the corned beef against the grain—this makes it incredibly tender. Serve it up with the cooked veggies and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. The whole kitchen smells amazing, and you've got a fantastic easy slow cooker corned beef and cabbage meal!

# Notes:

01 - Always rinse your corned beef to remove excess salt from the brine; I learned this the hard way with a super salty batch once!
02 - Store leftovers separately to maintain best texture, especially for the cabbage.
03 - If you don't have beef broth, chicken broth or even water with a bouillon cube will work in a pinch, but beef broth gives the best flavor.
04 - Serve with a dollop of grainy mustard or creamy horseradish sauce to cut through the richness.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 30g

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