Okay, picture this: tender, juicy corned beef that *almost* falls apart as you take it out of the slow cooker. Sounds good, right? Well, trust me, it gets even better! These corned beef recipes slow cooker are about to become your new best friend. Seriously, I’ve been making corned beef this way for years, and it’s a game-changer.
Why You’ll Love These Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker
Okay, so why am I so obsessed with these slow cooker corned beef recipes recipes? Let me tell you:
- It’s ridiculously easy! Seriously, dump everything in, set it, and forget it. What’s not to love?
- The flavor is INSANE. The slow cooking gives that corned beef so much time to soak up all the yummy spices.
- Talk about convenient! Perfect for busy weeknights when you just don’t have time to babysit dinner.
- Hello, leftovers! Corned beef the first night, then corned beef hash? Yes, please!
- Major crowd-pleaser! Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or just a regular get-together, everyone always raves about this.
Ingredients for Delicious Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker
Alright, let’s gather up everything we need. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have! This easy corned beef recipes slow cooker recipe is all about simple ingredients, maximum flavor:
- Corned Beef Brisket (3-4 lb, with spice packet): This is the star of the show! Make sure it comes with that little spice packet – it’s important.
- Large Onion (1, quartered): Just roughly chop it into quarters. No need to be fancy here.
- Carrots (3, peeled and chopped): I usually just peel ’em and give them a good chop. Doesn’t have to be perfect!
- Celery Stalks (3, chopped): Similar to the carrots, just chop them up into reasonably sized pieces.
- Beef Broth (4 cups): This adds a ton of flavor, so don’t skip it! I usually just grab whatever’s on sale at the store.
- Water (1 cup): Helps to make sure everything’s nice and submerged.
That’s it! Told ya it was easy. Now, let’s get cooking with these best corned beef recipes slow cooker version, shall we?
How to Prepare Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, folks, pay attention! This is where the magic happens. Follow these steps, and you’ll have the most amazing corned beef ever. Seriously, it’s almost too easy for how good it is!
- Rinse that brisket: Give the corned beef brisket a good rinse under cold water. This gets rid of any extra salty stuff. Trust me; you don’t want *too* much salt!
- Veggie time: Place the onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a nice little bed for the brisket and adds tons of flavor to the cooking liquid.
- Brisket on top: Now, put the corned beef right on top of those veggies, fat side UP. That fat is going to render down and make everything super moist.
- Spice it up! Sprinkle that spice packet that came with the brisket *all* over the top. Don’t be shy! That’s where a lot of the good stuff is.
- Liquid time! Pour in the beef broth and water. You want the brisket to be mostly submerged. Don’t worry if it’s not completely covered; it’ll be fine. I’ve never had a problem!
- Slow cookin’ time: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. If you’re in a hurry (which, let’s be real, we all are sometimes), you can do it on HIGH for 4-6 hours. But honestly, low and slow is the way to go for maximum tenderness with these corned beef recipes slow cooker.
- The tenderness test: You want the corned beef to be *super* tender. Like, it should almost fall apart when you poke it with a fork. If it’s not there yet, give it another hour or so.
- Rest is best: Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This is *crucial*! It lets the juices redistribute, so you don’t lose all that moisture when you slice it.
- Slice against the grain! This is super important for tender corned beef. Look for the lines in the meat and slice perpendicular to them.
- Serve it up! Serve with the cooked vegetables and some of that delicious cooking liquid. I also love to serve it with horseradish sauce or mustard.
And there you have it! Seriously, aren’t these homemade corned beef recipes slow cooker the easiest thing ever? You’re going to be amazed at how good this turns out. Let me know how yours turns out!
Tips for the Best Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker Results
Want to take your slow cooker corned beef from good to *amazing*? Of course, you do! Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years:
- Don’t skip the rinse! I know I mentioned it in the instructions, but it’s worth repeating. Rinsing the brisket gets rid of excess salt, so it’s not too overpowering.
- Sear it for extra flavor! This is totally optional, but if you have a few extra minutes, searing the corned beef in a hot pan before putting it in the slow cooker adds a *ton* of flavor. Just get it nice and brown on all sides.
- Be patient with the cooking time. Seriously, don’t rush it! The longer it cooks, the more tender it will be. I always aim for that “fall apart” tenderness. If you can, go for the full 10 hours on low.
- Don’t add extra salt! The corned beef is already cured in salt, and the spice packet usually has plenty of salt in it too, so don’t go adding any extra. You can always add more at the end if you really need it, but I almost never do.
Follow these quick corned beef recipes slow cooker tips, and you’re golden. I swear–you’re gonna have everyone begging for your secret recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Your Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker
Okay, so you’ve got this amazing corned beef… now what do you serve with it? Well, you can’t go wrong with the classics, of course! Cabbage and potatoes are a *must*. I like to throw some chopped cabbage and baby potatoes into the slow cooker during the last couple of hours – easy peasy! But hey, don’t be afraid to get a little creative, too. Roasted root vegetables are fantastic, or even a simple side salad. It’s all about what *you* like!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker
Want to get ahead of the game? No problemo! You can totally make this corned beef a day or two in advance. Once it’s cooked, just let it cool slightly and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for 3-4 days, easy! For longer storage, you can freeze it. Just slice it up first – it’s easier to thaw that way. And when you’re ready to reheat, just pop it in the oven or microwave until it’s warmed through with these family favorite corned beef recipes slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corned Beef Recipes Slow Cooker
Got questions about making the perfect slow cooker corned beef? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked:
Can I use a different cut of corned beef?
While brisket is the most common (and my personal favorite!), you *can* technically use other cuts. But honestly, brisket is the way to go for that tender, fall-apart texture you’re craving in this easy corned beef recipes slow cooker recipe. Other cuts might be tougher or drier –sad face–.
Do I have to use beef broth?
Beef broth adds a *ton* of flavor, so I highly recommend it! However, if you don’t have any on hand, you can use chicken broth or even just plain water in a pinch. Just keep in mind that it might not be quite as flavorful with these viral corned beef recipes slow cooker. You know, keep it as tasty as possible. No one wants a bland brisket, right?
Can I add potatoes and cabbage directly to the slow cooker?
You bet! I usually add them during the last 2-3 hours of cooking; otherwise, they’ll get way overcooked and mushy. Nobody wants mushy cabbage! Just chop them into good-sized pieces so they don’t disintegrate. Timing’s key with these tried and true best corned beef recipes slow cooker version.
My corned beef is still tough! What did I do wrong?
Patience, my friend! It probably just needs to cook longer. Corned beef can be a bit unpredictable. Just keep cooking it until it’s fork-tender. Low and slow is always the way to go with these corned beef recipes slow cooker.
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Just a heads up: the nutritional info can vary depending on the brands and exact ingredients you use. So, you know, take it with a grain of (sea) salt!
Enjoy Your Delicious Slow Cooker Corned Beef!
So, what are you waiting for? Seriously, go make this! I promise you won’t regret it. And, hey, if you try it out, let me know what you think, okay? Leave a comment below or give the recipe a rating. I love hearing from you guys!
Print
Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef
- Total Time: 8 hr 15 min
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Prepare a tender and flavorful corned beef brisket with minimal effort using your slow cooker. This recipe is perfect for a simple family meal or a festive holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb corned beef brisket, with spice packet
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Rinse the corned beef brisket under cold water.
- Place the onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables, fat side up.
- Sprinkle the spice packet over the corned beef.
- Pour beef broth and water into the slow cooker, ensuring the brisket is mostly submerged.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the corned beef is very tender.
- Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Serve with the cooked vegetables and cooking liquid.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker.
- Serve with horseradish sauce or mustard for a classic pairing.
- Leftovers can be used in sandwiches, corned beef hash, or other dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 8 hr
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg



