How to make Crock Pot corned beef or Instant Pot corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day this year. I am only a little Irish but I love to celebrate St. Patty’s Day with a traditional corned beef and cabbage recipe every year.
One of the easiest ways to have homemade corned beef is to make it in your Crock Pot or Instant Pot – no fuss! I am going to give you directions for the Crock Pot Corned Beef and how I modified it for the Instant Pot. You’ll also find a simple Irish Soda Bread Recipe at the bottom, if you feel up to some homemade bread too (you won’t regret it).
The leftovers from your Crock Pot corned beef will make amazing sandwiches (I recommend a good Jewish Rye for that). Of course you can just reheat the leftovers, no bread required.
History of Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day
Maybe you’re wondering why I make a Crock Pot corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day; or why anyone eats this meal for the holiday. I did some research on this because I was curious.
“In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is not a day to indulge in green beer but a religious holiday where you share boiled bacon with your family, according to the History Channel. So when the first wave of Irish immigrants made their way to the United States, they were searching for recipes similar to their native comfort foods. In Ireland, pork products were relativity inexpensive and perfect to feed an entire family, but immigrants to America quickly learned that bacon or any pork products were more expensive in their new homeland. So to save money, they turned to the cheapest cut of meat at the time — beef brisket.” Read more about the history of this meal and St. Patrick’s Day Here.
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
I’ll be honest, it took me years to feel confident enough to make my own corned beef for the holiday. But once I made this Crock Pot corned beef I couldn’t believe how easy it was! My family loves it too! Buy your corned beef early to make sure you have it!
Tips for Serving Your Crock Pot Corned Beef or Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Be sure to cut your corned beef against the grain. See How to Cut Corned Beef Against the Grain
- Serve with a grainy mustard, the vegetables and a freshly baked Irish Soda Bread (recipe below).
- See recipes for leftover Crock Pot Corned Beef at the bottom of this post!
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe from Your Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lbs of baby carrots washed and left whole (or use cut chunks for larger carrots)
- 8 – 10 red baby potatoes scrub, but don’t peel leaver smaller whole or cut larger ones into 4 chunks
- Large white onion roughly chopped
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth you can replace with just 1 cup water if unavailable
- 3 cups water
- 4 lbs corned beef with spice package you may need to cut in half to fit in your Crock Pot if it is smaller
- 6 oz of beer the alcohol cooks out
- 1 head of green cabbage roughly chopped (reserved for the last hour of cooking)
- 6 quart crock pot
Instructions
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Add your baby or chopped carrots, potatoes and onion to the bottom of the Crock Pot
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Pour your broth and water over the vegetables
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Place the corned beef right on top of the vegetables
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Pour your beer over the corned beef and vegetables
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Spread the included spices evently over the corned beef
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Put the lid on and cook high (it MUST be high) for 7 hours
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After your Crock Pot corned beef has cooked 7 hours you’ll add your cabbage and cook for another 30 – 60 minutes, depending on how tender you want your cabbage
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Remove the beef and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing so it will remain tender.
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Serve your sliced Crock Pot corned beef with a spoonful or more of the vegetables. Consider having a grainy mustard as a condiment.
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I like to offer a tradional Irish Soda Bread as well.
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
If you are shorter on your time available for cooking or you just prefer your Instant Pot then this Instant Pot corned beef recipe is for you! Both recipes make a delicious, simple meal, that you’ll be sure to enjoy. Whether you choose your Crock Pot or Instant Pot is really just personal preference.
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe Fast
Ingredients
- 1 lbs of baby carrots washed and left whole (or use cut chunks for larger carrots)
- 8 – 10 red baby potatoes scrub, but don’t peel leaver smaller whole or cut larger ones into 4 chunks
- Large white onion roughly chopped
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth you can replace with just 1 cup water if unavailable
- 3 cups water
- 4 lbs corned beef with spice package cut to fit if needed
- 6 oz of beer the alcohol cooks out
- 1 head of green cabbage cut into large wedges
- Instant Pot
Instructions
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Add your spices, water, broth and onion to the bottom of the Instant Pot (do not add other vegetables yet!)
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Place your Instant Pot rack in over the onion, broth and water
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Now put your corned beef on top of this with the fat side up
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Pour your beer over everything
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Put the lid on the Instant Pot and have the seal closed
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Set to High Pressure for 80 minutes
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When the cooking time has completed allow it to naturally release pressure for 20 – 25 mintues
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Then manually release any remaining pressure to avoid over cooking.
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Remove the corned beef to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm
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Reserve 1 cup of liquid from your Instant Pot and discard spices, onion and any additional liquid
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With the 1 cup of reserved liquid in the IP add your carrots, potatoes and cabbage into the pot
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Replace the lid and seal
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Pressure Cook Hight for 3 – 4 mintute and do a quick manual release of the pressure to avoid over cooking
Serve Your Crock Pot Corned Beef with a Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter Should be cold and cut into small chunks
- 1 1/3 cup Cold Buttermilk
- 4 or 5 Quart Dutch Oven
- Parchment Paper
Instructions
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Pre-heat your oven to 450 F
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Line your Dutch Oven with parchment paper (trust me this is not a step to skip).
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In your large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients with a whisk.
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Add the cold butter chunks into the bowl and use a pastry blend or fork to cut into the dry mix.
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Slowly add the COLD buttermilk into the bread mixture and gently stir until you have a soft dough.
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Add the soft dough to your prepared Dutch Oven and use a rubber spatula to shape the dough into a round shape.
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Once the dough is in the correct shape use a knife to cut an X into the top. This should be a deep cut that goes past the middle of the bread dough!
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Put the Dutch Oven lid on and place it in your pre-heated oven.
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Bake for 30 – 35 mintues.
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Remove the Dutch Oven lid and allow the bread to bake another 10 mintues or more until the top is a golden brown.
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Once baking is completed you can lift the bread out of the Dutch Oven and put on a plate to serve with butter.
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It is best when eaten the same day as prepared.
How to Use Crock Pot Corned Beef Leftovers
- Breakfast – make a corned beef hash and eggs (delish). This was a staple in my house growing up and a perfect morning recipe!
- Lunch – you have 2 great options here! Make an awesome corned beef on rye sandwich! See Grilled Corned Beef Sandwich Recipe .
- Dinner – change up your Crock Pot corned beef and make a yummy Reuben Casserole for dinner!
Have a Family Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party!
I hope this easy Crock Pot corned beef recipe or the Instant Pot corned beef recipe helps you make an amazing St. Patrick’s Day dinner! Invite your family and friends over for a pot luck meal and make it a party!!! Family Education has a great games, tips and activities for a fun St. Patty’s Day party for the family.
History of St. Patrick’s Day
Before making your Crock Pot Corned Beef, take time to learn the history of St. Patrick’s Day, it really isn’t about green beer and leprechauns!
More Holiday Recipes for You
Also see: Food Storage Mom’s Crock Pot Corned Beef Recipe
