Hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner: Slow-Cooked Comfort (Print Version)

Craving a hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner? My slow-cooked recipe brings tender corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes to your table with minimal fuss.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Irish-American
Dietary: High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ The Main Event

01 - Corned Beef Brisket (3-4 lbs, flat cut, with spice packet)
02 - Beef Broth (4 cups)
03 - Guinness Stout (12 oz bottle, or dark beer/water)

→ Hearty Veggies

04 - Red Potatoes (1.5 lbs, halved or quartered)
05 - Carrots (1 lb, peeled and roughly chopped)
06 - Green Cabbage (1 small head, cut into wedges)
07 - Yellow Onion (1 large, quartered)

→ Flavor Boosters

08 - Garlic (4-5 cloves, smashed)
09 - Bay Leaves (2-3)
10 - Whole Black Peppercorns (1 tsp)

→ For Serving

11 - Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
12 - Dijon Mustard or Horseradish Sauce (optional, for serving)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, take your corned beef brisket out of its packaging. You'll usually find a little spice packet in there—don't lose it! Give the brisket a quick rinse under cold water, just to get rid of any excess brine, then pat it dry with paper towels. Honestly, I used to skip the patting dry, but it really helps the spices adhere better. This simple step sets the stage for a truly tender Hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner.
02 - Now, grab your trusty 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Place the quartered onion, smashed garlic, and bay leaves at the bottom. Pour in the beef broth and that glorious Guinness (or whatever liquid you're using). The kitchen starts smelling good already, doesn't it? I love this part, just building those layers of flavor. Make sure there's enough liquid to come about halfway up the brisket.
03 - Carefully place the corned beef brisket, fat-side up, into the slow cooker. Sprinkle the contents of the spice packet (and the extra peppercorns, if you're using them) all over the top of the brisket. The fat cap will render down, keeping the meat moist and adding so much flavor. This is where the magic really starts for a Hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner. Don't worry if it looks a little crowded; it'll all settle.
04 - Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it to LOW for 7-8 hours, or HIGH for 4-5 hours. Honestly, low and slow is the way to go for the most tender meat, so if you have the time, do it! Resist the urge to peek too often; every time you lift that lid, you lose heat, and that just slows down the cooking process. Trust the process, your kitchen will smell incredible.
05 - About 2-3 hours before the cooking time is up (if on low), or about 1.5 hours (if on high), carefully add the red potatoes and carrots around the corned beef. Then, about 45-60 minutes before serving, nestle the cabbage wedges into the pot. This staggered addition ensures all your veggies are perfectly tender, not mushy. I once added all the veggies at the beginning, and let's just say the cabbage was... well, it was more of a puree, oops!
06 - Continue cooking until the corned beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft. Once done, carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for about 10-15 minutes. This resting step is crucial for juicy meat, don't skip it! While it rests, you can fish out those bay leaves. The anticipation for this Hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner is real at this point!
07 - Slice the corned beef against the grain—this is super important for tenderness! Arrange the sliced meat on a platter with the cooked potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Ladle some of that flavorful broth over everything. Garnish with fresh parsley, and maybe a dollop of Dijon or horseradish. There you have it, a truly comforting and delicious Hearty Crock Pot Corned Beef Dinner, ready to be devoured!

# Notes:

01 - Don't rinse the corned beef too much; you lose some of that briny flavor!
02 - Leftovers are amazing, but the cabbage can get a bit soft after reheating, which I actually love.
03 - If you don't have Guinness, just use more beef broth or even water—it'll still be delicious.
04 - A dollop of good grainy mustard or creamy horseradish sauce is a must for serving, in my opinion!

# Tools You'll Need:

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

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 40-50g

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