This Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe is the BEST St. Patrick’s Day meal. Simply add the juicy corned beef, carrots, onion and potatoes to your crock pot. Let it slowly cook all day until your corned beef is tender, and the flavors come together. Simple, easy and oh -so delicious.
If you own a pressure cooker you’ll also want to check out my Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe which cooks up perfectly in less than 2 hours!
Hello lads and lassies! You ready to get your Irish on?
Although some would argue that Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage isn’t traditional Irish food, for our family it’s about as close as we get.
Every year we have a fun St. Patrick’s Day dinner. We make corned beef and cabbage, Irish brown bread, and drink root beer floats. Then for dessert, we dig into some yummy creme de menthe brownies. The kids really enjoy when we celebrate the holidays. This is a great way to do that.
I have to say, I didn’t start making corned beef and cabbage until about 6 years ago. I really did not want to do it. It just didn’t sound like something I would enjoy. I do like cabbage, but I pictured the meat tasting all funky like. I decided I would be brave and make some, and decided to invite a few friends over who also had never had it. Every one of them loved it! They were all pleasantly surprised, just as I was. The meat was so tender, and the flavor was really good! If you happen to be one of “us” who are afraid of trying new foods, I promise this meal won’t disappoint. Go for it!
WHAT IS CORNED BEEF?
Corned beef is made from beef brisket. The meat goes through a long curing process using large grains of rock salt and then it is brined. Next, it is slowly cooked where it takes a tough cut of beef into one that is super tender and flavorful!
CAN YOU FREEZE CORNED BEEF?
Yes, you can! You can cook raw or cooked corned beef. Just place it in a gallon-size zippered bag and seal it, removing as much air as possible and freeze. Raw corned beef is best used within one month as it will start to have flavor loss. Cooked corned beef can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
To thaw & cook the raw corned beef: Let it thaw completely in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours and cook in your crock pot as directed below.
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE?
To make this Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe just start by rinsing off and preparing your onion, carrots, and potatoes. Peel and cut carrots into thirds and cut onions into fourths. Peel and cut up potatoes if you’re using russets, or just rinse if you’re using baby reds or a medley variety.
Place onions and carrots on the bottom of a large crock pot. Next remove roast from packing, making sure to remove any seasoning packet that may be inside. Place roast along with juices from package inside the crock pot on top of the onions and carrots. Season with the seasoning packet that it came with if you choose. Add two cups of water. Place potatoes all around the roast. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.
By the way, I love my crock pot. If you’re in the market for a new one, this is the one.
After that has cooked for 8 hours or so, take your head of cabbage and rinse it well. Cut the head into fourths.
Open crock pot and place the pieces of cabbage right on top. Cook another 2 hours on high to steam the cabbage to perfection.
Remove meat and veggies from the crock pot and add to a platter. Enjoy!
Below is the printable version of the recipe for your convenience.
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb corned beef roast
- 2 small yellow onions
- 10 medium carrots
- 10 baby medley variety potatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1 head of cabbage
Instructions
- Rinse and prepare your onion, carrots and potatoes. Peel and cut carrots in thirds and cut onions in fourths. Peel and cut up potatoes if you’re using russets, or just rinse if you’re using baby reds or a medley variety. Set aside.
- Place onions and carrots on the bottom of a large crock pot. Next remove roast from packing, making sure to remove any seasoning packet that may be inside. Place roast along with juices from package inside the crock pot on top of the onions and carrots. Season with the seasoning packet that it came with if you choose. Add two cups of water. Place potatoes all around the roast. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.
- Take your head of cabbage and rinse. Cut the head into fourths. Open crock pot and place the pieces of cabbage right on top. Cook another 2 hours on high. Remove meat and veggies from crock pot and add to a platter. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Loved this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Instagram @happymoneysaver and on Pinterest @happymoneysaver for more money savin’ recipes!
Comments & Reviews
Elizabeth M Lees says
I made your recipe with a 3.39 lb corned beef. I Increased the water added to 3cups , cooked on high for 10 hrs,added the cabbage and cooked for another 2 hours. I was afraid the potatoes and carrots would be mush but everything was perfectly cooked. One of the easiest and tastiest meals I have made in t h e slow cooker. Thanks!
William Gervasio says
Well gonna try ur corned beef receipt,looks like it should come out delicious,let you know
Sunny says
I’ve made a similar recipe but I replaced the water with a dark stout beer, which was suggested by an Irishman. Needless to say it was very savory instead of plain water. I also par cooked the cabbage by searing in a skillet so it had a little brown tint.
Elisa says
My crockpot doesn’t have a high for that long, can I do low for ten hrs then switch to high for the last two hrs with the cabbage?
Tina says
I’m making this today and have a quick question. Since it is on high the whole time does it make the potatoes and carrots mushy?
victoria says
How many people does this feed? I am needing to feed a really large group and am wondering how many crock pots I will need 🙂
Karrie says
It depends on how much you think people will eat. Typically I say 1/4 to 1/2 lb of meat per person. So if you have big eaters go for the 1/2 lb per person in which this would be enough meat for 5 people. If you have people that just have a little corned beef I would say you could do 8-10 people. If you have a huge group, figure 1/2 lb. each person to be safe.
Amy says
This was AMAZING! I asked my husband if my corned beef and cabbage was better than his moms and he said “she doesn’t make this”. I was confused and told him that we have had it there many times. He shook his head and said “you don’t understand…..she doesn’t make THIS!” Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
Rachel says
Can you use baby carrots and peeled potatos . And I have a 2.75lb cornbeef what is the time for that . I am new at cooking cornbeef.
Emily says
Thanks for asking this! I had the same question. 🙂 Instructions do not say to put the cover back on after opening the crock pot.
Lisa S. says
Made this for Sunday dinner and it was delicious! Most tender and delicious corned beef I’ve made. My go-to recipe from now on!!
K. Wade says
I made this for Sunday dinner, yesterday, it was so simple and delicious. The meat was nice and tender and it wasn’t too salty. Will definitely be making this again!!
Bruce says
My crockpot is very aggressive and even on low seems to bring liquids to a boil rather quickly. Do you still recommend cooking it on high even with an aggressive crockpot…. Thanks
Happy.MoneySaver says
You know your crock pot the best. I would start out with it on high and just keep an eye on it after about six hours. If you feel like the meat is getting cooked to death turn it down.
Lauren says
Extremely happy that I found this recipie and loved reading through all the questions and answers! My cornbeef is currently in my crockpot! Can’t wait to explore more recipies on the site!
Cindy says
i made this tonight. And it was so good. Big hit in my family. Thank you. Will be making again for sure
Mercy says
Thanks so much for these directions, I’ve never made this before, but decided to be adventurous and true to the Irish in me and make it today 🙂 Everything was so easy to understand and I’ll be using your recipe from now on! Happy St. Patricks Day, may the luck of the Irish be with you!
gina says
happy st. patrick’s day 2015! this recipe looks great … and it’s in the crock pot now.
Susan says
so I didn’t add water and cooked on low for the 8 hours.. My only excuse is I put it together at 11:30 pm, just before bed. I get up and re-read the recipe and argh! Hoping I didn’t screw this up..
Kk says
How did it end up turning out?
Luanne says
All my ingredients are in the crockpot ready to start cooking it here shortly. If it hits 10 hours before we’re ready for dinner will it be OK turned to warm for about an hour or a little longer? And I used baby carrots because that’s what I had. Hope it works! Can’t wait!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Yeah, it should be just fine!
Mark Brown says
4hrs per pound x 4 pounds = 16 hrs! Is this correct? Previously you said 12 hrs! Thanks
Happy.MoneySaver says
I would only cook it for 12 hours total for 4 pounds. 🙂
Elizabeth says
What do you think about doing 1 cup beef stock and 1 cup water? Will it end up too salty?
Happy.MoneySaver says
I haven’t tried it but I can’t see how you would go wrong. I think it will bring out the meaty flavor!