How long to cook corned beef brisket in slow cooker

Q: How do you know when corned beef is done in slow cooker?

The meat is ready when it is fork-tender”. This is a good indication that is properly cooked, tender, and ready for serving. In addition, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read a minimum of 145 degrees F.

Is it even St. Patrick’s Day if you’re not eating corned beef and cabbage? It’s the quintessential holiday meal, synonymous with American St. Patrick’s Day since the mid to late 1800s. When many Irish immigrated to America, they settled in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods, and began buying their meat from Kosher butchers. When St. Patrick’s Day was pivoted from a religious holiday to a heritage celebration, they combined their neighbors’ corned beef with their beloved potatoes and the cheapest vegetable they could find, and corned beef and cabbage as we know it today was born.

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Ingredients
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How many hours does it take to cook corned beef?
How long can you leave brisket in slow cooker?
How do you know when corned beef is done in slow cooker?
Is it better to cook corned beef on high or low?

Unfortunately, it’s also known for taking what can feel like FOREVER to make, requiring you check on it every half hour or so to make sure your meat stays completely submerged throughout the cooking process. If you don't have that kind of time or energy in the kitchen, we get it— this crockpot recipe is for you!

This slow cooker version CAN be done in 4 to 4 ½ hours on high, but is really best cooked low and slow for 9 to 10 hours. We recommend getting the meat and potatoes in there early in the morning, and then adding cabbage right as you’re getting ready for dinner. You’ll have 45 minutes to an hour free while the cabbage cooks, just enough time to make some Irish side dishes or dessert.

Got leftovers? This will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Or check out our favorite corned beef leftover ideas— our fave go-to is making reuben sandwiches.

Made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below.

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Ingredients

1
medium yellow onion, cut into large wedges
3
large carrots, cut into thirds
2
stalks celery, cut into thirds
1/2 lb.
baby potatoes, halved
1
(2-3 lb) corned beef brisket
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1
packed pickling spice
3
sprigs thyme
2
bay leaves
1/2
green cabbage, cut into large wedges

Directions

1. Step 1Add onion, carrots, celery and potatoes to bowl of your crock pot. Place corned beef on top and season generously with salt, pepper, and pickling spices. Scatter thyme and bay leaves over meat and fill slow cooker bowl with water until it is almost completely covering the meat.
2. Step 2Cook on low for 9 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, until meat is tender. Add cabbage to crock pot and cook on high for 45 minutes to 1 hour more until cabbage is tender and cooked through. Remove meat and vegetables from slow cooker, slice and serve.

Nutrition (per serving): 370 calories, 23 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 22 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 1,164 mg sodium

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Lena Abraham is the Senior Food Editor at Delish, where she develops and styles recipes for video and photo, and also stays on top of current food trends. She’s been working in the food industry for over 10 years, and will argue that the best fish tacos in the world are made in New York. Don’t @ her.

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Let the crockpot do all the work for you – simply throw everything in and you are set. It’s so easy, so tender and so flavorful!

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays for one sole reason: the corned beef. I wait 364 days out of the year to buy a huge corned beef brisket. And since I only get to do this once a year, I go all out – from the baby potatoes to the lemon roasted cabbage.

It’s quite a spread, and also a bit too much work so this slow cooker version comes in super handy. All you have to do is dump everything into the slow cooker and you’re set! Really. There’s no searing, no dicing, no nothing. Even you veggies can get thrown in there as is.

Easy peasy. Although I should warn you – since this recipe is practically effortless, you’ll be tempted to make this more often than just once a year. There’s no judgment here though – I’ve honestly made it twice just this last month! After all, I can just chalk that up to “recipe-testing,” right?

1 3-pound corned beef brisket, plus pickling spice packet
8 whole cloves
4 cloves garlic, peeled
2 bay leaves
24 baby carrots, tops trimmed to 2 inches
1 pound baby Dutch potatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Place corned beef brisket, fat side up, into a slow cooker; sprinkle with pickling spice.
Place whole cloves throughout the brisket. Add garlic, bay leaves and 2 cups water, or more water as needed to cover the brisket by at least 1 inch.
Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. Add carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for an additional 2-3 hours, or until tender.
Thinly slice the corned beef against the grain. Serve immediately with carrots and potatoes, garnished with parsley, if desired.

How many hours does it take to cook 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.

How long can you leave brisket in slow cooker?

Leaving your brisket unattended for 10 to 12 hours is not an option; if you go that route, the brisket can go from tender to mush. Know when it's done: A three-pound beef brisket will take six to eight hours in the slow cooker.

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

The meat is ready when it is “fork-tender”. This is a good indication that is properly cooked, tender, and ready for serving. In addition, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read a minimum of 145 degrees F.

Is it better to cook corned beef on high or low?

Cooking Over a High Temperature When cooked on high for too long, corned beef is likely to turn out tough and chewy rather than soft and tender. Instead: Regardless of the cooking method, corned beef is best cooked over low heat.