Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (2024)

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Hands down my favorite corned beef is from the slow cooker. It has got to cook low and slow to get to that point where it just practically melts in your mouth, fork tender.

Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (1)


I can’t even count how many times I’ve tried to go out for St. Patrick’s Day and got hard dry corned beef, don’t go messing up my St. Patrick’s Day with all that. Don’t even bother with it if your not going try to cook it juicy and tender.

You know how hard it is to get in a good Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day? Damn near impossible around here. Everyone’s Irish that day! But we really are Irish, so we can’t settle for just any old corned beef it needs to be good.

Which is kinda funny, because in Ireland corned beef was a luxury, they liked bacon because that is what was affordable. It didn’t become popular until the Irish Immigrated to American and bacon was more expensive than beef, back then.

According to Wikipedia:

Some say until the wave of 18th-centuryIrish immigrationto the United States, many of the ethnic Irish had not begun to consume corned beef dishes as seen today. The popularity of corned beef compared tobaconamong the immigrant Irish may have been due to corned beef being considered a luxury product in their native land, while it was cheaply and readily available in America.

The Jewish population produced similarsalt-cured meatproduct made from beefbrisketwhich the Irish immigrants purchased as corned beef from Jewish butchers. This may have been facilitated by the close cultural interactions and collaboration of these two diverse cultures in the United States’ main 19th- and 20th-century immigrant port of entry, New York City.

Corned beef and cabbageis the Irish-American variant of the Irish dish ofbacon and cabbage. Never knew that until we started watching “Food, Fact or Fiction”, love that show on the Cooking Channel.

Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (2)

My ancestors came over here from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland in the 1600’s before America was founded. We’ve been doing some interesting research since it’s so easy now having all the D.N.A. testing available.

As if having red hair and freckles wasn’t enough evidence, but I never knew my ancestors arrived here before the Great Potato Famine. Ok, enough history lessons, but it’s always a good thing if you can learn something new, right?

Now you’ll notice there’s no cabbage with this corned beef, there’s a reason for that. We did it separately and you can find our awesome Quick and Easy Fried Cabbage recipe right here. We didn’t want some mushy, flavorless cabbage to go with our corned beef. Also, if you want you can put some red potatoes in the crock pot, but we love mashed potatoes and I’ll get that post up next and link it here.

Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (3)

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Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (4)

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours

Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes

Hands down my favorite corned beef is from the slow cooker. It has got to cook low and slow to get to that point where it just practically melts in your mouth, fork tender.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb corned beef brisket (the vacu-packed pre-brined kind)
  • 1 onion
  • 4 carrots
  • packet of seasoning that's included with the corned beef plus
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups water
  • fresh cracked pepper

optional:

  • horseradish and sour cream for serving
  • Beer

Instructions

  1. Spray non stick cooking spray all around inside the slow cooker for easy clean up.
  2. Cut the onion in half and place on the bottom, peel and cut carrots in thirds, place in slow cooker.
  3. Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables add water and seasoning pack plus the extra mustard seed, oregano, bay leaves and some fresh cracked pepper.
  4. Set on low for 7 hours. (If yours is larger it may take 8 hours, mine was 3 1/4 lbs) There should be enough salt already in the corned beef.
  5. Carefully remove from crock pot to a cutting board and let rest a good 10 ten minutes before carving. The proper way to carve is against the grain.

Notes

You can add some beer (4oz. or so) into the slow cooker during the last few hours. We personally recommend using an Irish beer (Guinness, Harp, Smithwick's), but feel free to use what you have if you want to add some.

Nutrition Information

Yield 6Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 742Total Fat 45gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 255mgSodium 338mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 69g

Nutrition data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix, and should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate.

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Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker Recipe - Sparkles of Yum (2024)

FAQs

Should corned beef be fully submerged in slow cooker? ›

You can add seasonings other than salt, like black peppercorns and bay leaves. Keep the brisket submerged at all times as well since it's the water actually transferring heat into the meat and cooking it. Letting the top become exposed will dry out the meat and slow down the cooking process, leading to uneven doneness.

Can you overcook corned beef in a slow cooker? ›

You can overcook corned beef in a Crock-Pot if it's cooked for too long at too high of a temperature. Overcooked corned beef can taste tough and stringy. It's best to follow the recommended cook time and temperature within the recipe.

Why is my slow cooker corned beef tough? ›

Low Temperature: Slow cookers typically cook at relatively low temperatures, which can result in meats like corned beef not reaching a high enough temperature to break down the tough connective tissues and collagen properly. This can lead to a tougher texture rather than the desired tenderness.

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

Please note that crock pot cooking times may vary greatly depending upon brand and style. It is important to check the meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached at least 160°F for food safety; for optimal tenderness, cook to an internal temperature of 190°F. For best results, monitor at regular intervals.

What is the secret to best corned beef? ›

Simmering corned beef on the stovetop is a tried-and-true method that results in very tender beef. One of the keys to simmering corned beef correctly is the amount of water in the pot. When there's not ample liquid to cover the meat, your dreams of tender corned beef may be replaced by a tough, chewy result.

Does corned beef go in crockpot fat side up or down? ›

Corned Beef Brisket should be placed in the crockpot or pot with the fat side up. The fat insulates and protects the meat and helps the corned beef from drying out as it cooks. Brisket / corned beef should have a thin layer of fat on the top. Sometimes the fat is super thick and needs to be trimmed.

What not to do when cooking corned beef? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Corned Beef
  1. Not rinsing the meat before cooking. ...
  2. Cooking over a high temperature. ...
  3. Not filling the pot with enough water. ...
  4. Not cooking the meat long enough. ...
  5. Cutting the meat incorrectly.

Should you use the juice in the corned beef package? ›

To make the corned beef, open the sealed package right over the slow cooker, because you want to include the brine in the cooking liquid. Don't discard the brine. Place the meat into the cooker and add enough cold water to cover. Add the pickling spices, cover, and cook on high for 6–8 hours.

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

Information. Corned beef is made from one of several less tender cuts of beef like the brisket, rump, or round. Therefore, it requires long, moist cooking. Corned beef is safe once the internal temperature has reached at least 145 °F, with a three minute rest time, but cooking it longer will make it fork-tender.

Why do you put beer in corned beef? ›

Beer contains acids and tannins, which break down meat and tenderize it. It's the same idea as using citrus, wine, or vinegar in a marinade. In this case, Chapple uses two bottles of pale ale to braise the beef, combining it with onion, garlic, bay leaves, and 12 cups of water.

Should I rinse corned beef before cooking? ›

It's a good idea to do so. Don't worry that you will be rinsing away flavor. Rinsing the corned beef means it will be less salty. Also, keep the seasoning packet if one came with it.

What cooking method is best for corned beef? ›

Boiling is the most common method, but you can also slow cook, bake, grill, or pan-fry your corned beef. Each method has its distinct flavor and cooking process, so it's worth trying them all to find the best fit for you. The most common method for cooking corned beef and cabbage is boiling.

How long to cook 3 lb corned beef? ›

For a two to three-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. For a three to five-pound corned beef brisket, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. STOVE: Place brisket fat-side up in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer, allowing about 1 hour per pound.

Is it better to boil corned beef or slow cooker? ›

In order for corned beef to be cooked properly, it needs to sit in a slow boil for a few hours. However, trying to boil it at the proper temperature on the stove is challenging. That's why the best way to cook the corned beef (with almost no effort on your end) is to use your slow cooker.

Should corned beef be fully submerged in water? ›

Yes, it does. Yes, corned beef should be covered with water in a slow cooker. This is important to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process. It is also important to ensure that the water level is high enough to fully submerge the meat, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly.

Is corned beef supposed to be submerged in water? ›

Yes, corned beef should be submerged in water when cooking it in a slow cooker. This is important for several reasons: Moisture and tenderness: Submerging the corned beef in water helps to keep the meat moist and tender during the slow cooking process [1].

Should meat be submerged in liquid in slow cooker? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

Should brisket be submerged in slow cooker? ›

Place the seasoned beef brisket into the slow cooker, making sure it is submerged in the liquid mixture. Add a little extra salt to taste, if desired. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low heat setting for approximately 8-10 hours, or until the beef brisket is tender and easily pulls apart.

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