Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe – An American-Irish Tradition

Beyond popular belief, corned beef and cabbage really didn’t originate in Ireland. However, it has since become a meal time tradition on St. Patrick’s Day here in the United States.

The term corned beef refers to a cut of beef, usually a brisket or round primal cut that has been cured with salt.

Most often, in today’s preparation method, the cut of beef is cured in a brine solution.

However, that isn’t always the case. In fact, corned beef gets its famous name from a curing method that was used many years ago.

The technique traditionally used included large grains of rock salt, aka ‘corns’ to cure the beef. Which then, in turn, resulted in the term corned beef.

The Best Method For Cooking Corned Beef

So what is the best way to cook corned beef and cabbage? Because the brisket and round roasts are relatively tough cuts of meat, it is best to use a slow and moist cooking method.

And although you could use your oven and slow roast it for hours, we have found two other methods that make it much easier.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef

The first method is to use your slow cooker to cook your corned beef and cabbage. Simply place the vegetables, minus the cabbage in the slow cooker and add place the corned beef on top.

Spread the contents of the spice packet on top of the meat and pour in the broth.

Cook on HIGH pressure for 7 hours. Then add in the chopped cabbage and continue to cook on HIGH pressure for another hour before serving.

If you are using a programmable Crock Pot slow cooker, set the cook time for 7 hours and and once the cook time expires, it will turn to a Keep Warm setting. One hour before you are ready to eat, add the cabbage and then set the cook time for 1 additional hour on HIGH pressure

Serve immediately.

Pressure Cooking Instructions

We love how easy it is to make corned beef and cabbage in the slow cooker. But we also have found it being just as easy, if not easier, to cook it in our 6 quart Instant Pot Duo.

Full recipe can be found here: Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Place the broth, onions, garlic and the seasoning packet that came with the corned beef in the liner of the pressure cooker.

Place the trivet that came with the Instant Pot in the liquid and place the corned beef, fat side up, on top.

Pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 90 minutes. Remember, just like all pressure cooker recipes, it takes additional time for the pot to come to pressure and start the cooking process.

Once the cook time is up, allow 10 minutes for the pot to release some pressure. Carefully release any remaining pressure and remove the corned beef to a plate. Cover and let rest while you prepare the vegetables.

Cook the Vegetables

Immediately place the carrots and potatoes in the hot broth and place the cabbage wedges on top. Then pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. Again, the pot will take additional time to come to pressure. However it will take less time due to hot liquid already being in the liner.

Once the cook time expires, immediately release the pressure by moving the valve to the venting position.

Place the cabbage, potatoes and carrots on the platter with the corned beef. Slice the cooked corned beef and drizzle some of the hot broth over top. Serve immediately with Irish Soda Bread.

And if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, the corned beef makes delicious Reuben sandwiches the next day!

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

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