Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef: Tender & Flavorful Classic (Print Version)

Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef Recipe brings fork-tender, savory corned beef to your table with minimal fuss. A slow-cooked classic that always hits the spot!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Irish-American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (check broth/spices)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 3-4 lb corned beef brisket (flat cut preferred)
02 - 1.5 lbs small potatoes (baby reds or Yukon Golds), scrubbed
03 - 4-5 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
04 - 1 small head green cabbage, quartered or wedged

→ Flavor Boosters & Aromatics

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
06 - 4-5 cloves garlic, smashed or roughly chopped
07 - 2-3 bay leaves
08 - 1 pickling spice packet (usually comes with brisket)

→ Liquid Base

09 - 4 cups beef broth
10 - Water (enough to cover, if needed)

→ Optional Finishing Touch

11 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, unwrap that beautiful corned beef brisket. You might see a little brine, that's totally normal. Place it right into your slow cooker. Then, scatter your quartered onion and smashed garlic cloves all around the brisket. Don't be shy with the garlic; I usually toss in an extra clove or two because, why not? I remember one time, I put the brisket in upside down, and honestly, it didn't make a lick of difference, so don't stress about perfection here.
02 - Next, find that little pickling spice packet – the one I almost forgot that one time! Sprinkle its contents evenly over the brisket and the aromatics. Toss in your bay leaves. Now, pour in the beef broth. You want the liquid to mostly cover the brisket; if it looks a little low, just add some water until it's almost submerged. This is where the magic starts, creating that tender, juicy Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef. I always take a deep breath here, knowing those flavors are about to meld into something wonderful.
03 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Honestly, low and slow is always my preference for this Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef Recipe; it just makes the meat so much more tender, practically falling apart! You'll start smelling that amazing, savory aroma wafting through your kitchen after a few hours, and it's just the best. Try not to lift the lid too much, I know it's tempting, but every peek lets out heat and slows down the cooking.
04 - About 2-3 hours before your corned beef is done (if cooking on low) or 1.5 hours (if on high), it's time for the potatoes and carrots. Carefully lift the lid, tuck them around the brisket in the liquid. Don't worry if they're not fully submerged, they'll steam beautifully. I once tried adding them too early, and they turned to absolute mush, so trust me, timing is everything for perfectly tender, not disintegrated, vegetables with your Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef.
05 - With just about 45 minutes to an hour left of cooking time, it's the cabbage's turn. Arrange your cabbage wedges on top of the vegetables and brisket. Again, you want it to steam and soften, but not turn into a watery mess. It's a delicate balance, but totally worth it for that vibrant green and slight bite. This is when the dish really starts to look like the classic Easy Crock Pot Corned Beef you imagine, full of color and promise.
06 - Once the cooking time is up and the brisket is fork-tender (seriously, it should shred easily with a fork!), carefully remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for about 10-15 minutes. This resting period is crucial for juicy meat, don't skip it! Slice the corned beef against the grain—this makes it super tender. Serve it up with those gorgeous, soft vegetables and a drizzle of the cooking liquid. It smells absolutely incredible, and the taste? Pure comfort, every single time.

# Notes:

01 - Always slice corned beef against the grain! It makes a world of difference in tenderness, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Don't overcrowd your slow cooker; if you have a huge brisket, you might need to cut it in half.
03 - Resist the urge to add the cabbage too early, or you'll end up with sad, mushy green bits.
04 - For an extra flavor boost, try adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the broth.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 6-quart slow cooker or larger
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: Approx. 450-550
Total Fat: Approx. 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: Approx. 30-40g
Protein: Approx. 35-45g

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