This slow-cooker corned beef and cabbage recipe is a wonderfully easy and flavorful way to prepare a classic dish. By using the slow cooker, you can ensure the meat is tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make this delicious meal:
Ingredients:
- 10 baby red potatoes, quartered
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
- 1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups water
- 1 (4-pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet
- 6 ounces beer
- ½ head cabbage, coarsely chopped
Directions:
- Prepare the Slow Cooker:
- Place the quartered baby red potatoes, matchstick carrots, and bite-sized onion pieces into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add Liquids and Meat:
- Pour 4 cups of water over the vegetables. Place the corned beef brisket on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the beer over the brisket and sprinkle the included spice packet over everything.
- Cooking Process:
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on High for 7 hours. This long cooking time allows the corned beef to become exceptionally tender and flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Cabbage:
- After 7 hours of cooking, add the coarsely chopped cabbage to the slow cooker. Stir briefly to mix the cabbage with the liquid and other ingredients.
- Cover and continue cooking on High for another hour. This is just enough time for the cabbage to cook through and soften without losing its texture.
- Serving:
- Once everything is cooked, carefully remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and slice it against the grain for tenderness.
- Serve the sliced corned beef alongside the vegetables and broth for a complete meal.
Tips for Success:
- Beer Choice: The type of beer can affect the flavor subtly. A light lager works well as it won’t overpower the flavors of the corned beef and spices.
- Spice Packet: Each corned beef brisket usually comes with a spice packet containing mustard seeds, bay leaves, and other spices that perfectly season the meat.
- Final Cooking Time: Depending on the exact size and cut of your brisket, cooking times may vary slightly. Always ensure the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
This slow-cooker meal is ideal for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any time you crave a hearty, comforting dish. It’s mostly hands-off, making it perfect for busy days. Enjoy your meal with a slice of Irish soda bread for an authentic touch!
Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage is a classic Irish-American dish that's particularly popular on St. Patrick's Day. It's incredibly easy to prepare with the slow cooker doing most of the work. The result is a tender, flavorful corned beef served with perfectly cooked cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 (3 to 4-pound) corned beef brisket, including spice packet
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
- 10 baby red potatoes, halved
- 1 onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups beer (optional, can substitute with more water or beef broth)
- ½ head cabbage, coarsely chopped
Instructions
-
Prepare the Vegetables and Meat:
- Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a large slow cooker.
- Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the contents of the spice packet over the corned beef.
- Add water and beer to the slow cooker until it nearly covers the meat. You can adjust the amount of liquid depending on the size of your slow cooker.
-
Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or on high for about 4-5 hours, until the meat is tender.
-
Add Cabbage:
- Add the chopped cabbage to the slow cooker about 1 hour before the end of the cooking time if on high, or 2 hours before if on low.
-
Finish and Serve:
- Once the meat and vegetables are tender, remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Slice the corned beef against the grain and serve with the vegetables. Spoon some of the cooking liquid over the meat and vegetables to keep them moist and flavorful.
Notes
- For additional flavor, you can add a bay leaf or two and some whole peppercorns to the cooking liquid.
- Consider using a stout beer for a richer flavor, which complements the saltiness of the corned beef beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours on low (or 4-5 hours on high)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
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