Updated on December 25th, 2023
Corned beef is a term for a cooking method that is commonly used for the brisket cut of beef. The meat is preserved using this method by salt-curing it.
The beef cut is cured in a brine solution with various spices and then cooked on low heat until the meat is delicious and extremely soft. Notably, corned beef is a popular dish in both Jewish and Irish cultures.
Unfortunately, it is also notorious for taking an eternity to prepare, needing you to check on it every half hour or so to ensure your meat remains completely submerged throughout the cooking process. I understand if you don’t have the time or energy to spend in the kitchen, so this crockpot recipe is for you.
Beef Brisket Nutrition Facts
Tips on How To Cook Corned Beef Brisket in Crockpot
A tender cut of corned beef – You can buy corned beef that has already been brined, or you can get brisket and season the corned beef yourself. In the slow cooker, I like a round cut of brisket to a pointcut since it retains its shape better and shrinks less in the pot, which is ideal if you’re having guests over. However, because the point cut has more fat, it can be more tender than the round cut. It’s a personal preference because both are used in this recipe
Rinse the corned beef before cooking – Corned beef can be rinsed, but it’s not compulsory. The brisket is rinsed to remove any extra salt, resulting in a milder flavor. Alternatively, you can cook the meat in the crockpot without washing it.
The flavor of the corned beef brisket – For a more classic corned beef, you should fill the crockpot halfway with water, but keep in mind that the texture of the meal will not get crispy if it is totally submerged in liquid.
When there are about 2 hours remaining in the cooking time, you can proceed to add cabbage, cut carrots, onions, and potatoes to the crockpot – the juice from the corned beef will infuse the vegetables with flavor.
There may appear to be a lot of spices, but this is what gives crockpot corned beef its distinct flavor, so don’t be afraid to use the seasoning packet as directed on your beef brisket.
Furthermore, you can trim some of the fat from your corned beef brisket before putting it in the crockpot if it’s too fatty. However, you should keep a small amount because it gives a lot of flavor to the dish.
Avoid overcooking the corned beef brisket – In the crockpot, it is quite easy to overcook any meat, resulting in a cut of beef that is almost too soft. The cooking time for this recipe is 9-10 hours on low. I’d make an effort to keep to this cooking schedule. I also prefer to cook the brisket on low to give it more time to simmer and become tender and juicy. If you’re short on time, try cooking it on high for a shorter period of time.
How To Cook Corned Beef Brisket in Crockpot – You will find that the liquids are what make the corned beef brisket so special. Normally, I would advise against adding any liquid, but in this situation, the vinegar and bay leaf require assistance.
The water you’re using is really a vehicle for your bay leaf and vinegar, which will assist flavor the meat. This dish requires a total of 9-10 hours, so if you’re having it for dinner that night, I recommend starting it in the morning in the crockpot.
You can follow this step-by-step guide to help your cooking:
- Get 4 potatoes – peeled and washed – placed in the center of the crockpot. Other potatoes should be quartered, and the onion should be sliced. Place the whole potatoes in the center.
- Place the corned beef brisket on top of the 4 large potatoes after rinsing it.
- Proceed to pour the liquid (4 c. water and 1 c. beer were utilized) over the meat.
- On top of the brisket, you should sprinkle the corned beef spice packet. Then cook on low for 8 hours with the lid on.
- 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving, you can place large cabbage leaves on top of brisket and cover to steam until desired “doneness” is reached.
- Horseradish or dijon mustard can be served with your corned beef recipe. Serve and enjoy.
Measuring doneness – To ensure food safety, make sure your beef is cooked to a temperature of at least 145 degrees F. You should check the temperature with a meat thermometer. If you cook the beef the entire time, you shouldn’t have any problems.
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How Long to Cook Corned Beef Brisket in a Crockpot
| Preparation Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
| 30 minutes | 9 hours | 9 hours, 30 minutes |
Corned Beef in Crockpot (6 Servings)
Ingredients
- 1 corned beef brisket
- 1 medium yellow onion – cut into large wedges
- 3 large carrots
- 2 stalks of celery
- ½ lb. baby potatoes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 packed pickling spice
- 3 sprigs of thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ green cabbage
Instructions
- In the bowl of the crockpot, go ahead and combine the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes.
- Season the corned beef generously with salt, pepper, and pickling spices before serving.
- Sprinkle thyme and bay leaves over the meat and pour water into the slow cooker dish until it about covers the meat.
- Cook for 9 to 10 hours on low or 4 to 4½ hours on high, or until meat is tender.
- Cook on high for a further 45 minutes to an hour, or until cabbage is soft and cooked through.
- Remove the meat and veggies from the slow cooker and slice them before serving.
Since the remaining drippings from the beef brisket in the crockpot are quite salty, I don’t recommend using them for any form of gravy. The liquid works well with bland veggies like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage because it seasons them. Allspice or celery can be used to provide more flavor.
This slow-cooker version can be finished in 4 to 4½ hours on high, but I recommended you cook it low and slow for 9 to 10 hours. I also recommend putting the meat and potatoes in first and then adding the cabbage just later.
You can watch this video recipe to know how to cook corned beef brisket in a crockpot.