Ready to wow your family with the best slow cooker brown sugar corned beef and cabbage? This recipe has converted countless people into corned beef lovers! The brisket has a sweet and savory flavor with brown sugar, mustard, and apple juice to make it moist, juicy, and appealing to all!
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World’s Best Corned Beef Made With Brown Sugar
I understand claiming this to be the best corned beef recipe is quite a statement. But hear me out.
People have told me time and again they’ve never enjoyed corned beef and cabbage before trying this recipe. The flavors of brown sugar, apple, and mustard convert anyone on the fence about corned beef!
The taste makes this crock pot recipe pretty stellar, but how easy it all comes together is the icing on the cake. Simply whisk together apple juice, brown sugar, and whole grain mustard to cook the corned beef in your crock pot or instant pot.
Brown sugar corned beef made with apple juice is moist and tender, while the cabbage and carrots take on an a hint of sweet and savoriness. When coupled with mom’s legendary moist soda bread recipe, you will be hard pressed to just making this meal on St. Patrick’s Day alone.
Also, fair warning, you will want leftovers so buy lots of brisket! I have made this recipe countless times and it never seems like we have enough. It disappears WAY too fast.
Like most people, we would have corned beef once a year. But today, I am making this again for a second time per my husband and mother’s request (A very picky duo). Melissa, this was amazing and by far the best corned beef I have ever made! You have now replaced my tried and true recipe that I have been making for years! Thank you for proving that there is always room for improvement, and that change can be rewarding! Off to cook! Cheers! ♥
—Madalyn
Flat Cut or Point Cut?
When purchasing corned beef there is quite a price difference between flat cut and point cut brisket. Point cut is generally much cheaper. It has more fat marbled throughout so it will fall apart easily upon cooking. Use this if you prefer shredded corned beef, which would be good in reuben sandwiches or corned beef hash.
Flat cut brisket is leaner and holds up for slicing. There will still be a layer of fat on one side, but this keeps the meat moist while cooking. After cooking the excess fat can easily be removed.
Personally, I always buy flat cut because it slices nicely and more of the weight is made up in meat versus fat.
Wondering how much corned beef to buy per person? It shrinks down quite a bit during cooking What appears to be a large brisket in the store, can be deceiving. Plan on ½ – ¾ pound per person depending on people’s appetites. To guarantee leftovers (the best part of cooking corned beef), one pound per person is best.
Tips and Tricks To Remember!
- Double the recipe in two crock pots, especially if you are having company. Corned beef shrinks during cooking. Refer to post above to gauge how much corned beef to buy per person.
- If you prefer to cook the cabbage separately, use this extremely flavorful Crispy Roasted Cabbage recipe. Serve with boiled salt potatoes for the ultimate St. Patrick’s day meal!
- For a less sweet version, cover with water, beer, beef broth or a combination instead of apple juice.
- For additional seasonings, throw in 2 bay leaves, a couple garlic cloves, and the spice packet.
- Make sure to use a large slow cooker. At least a 6-quart slow cooker is best.
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Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa
Brown Sugar Corned Beef and Cabbage with Apple Juice
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby carrots
- 3 pounds flat-cut corned beef
- 1 small cabbage, cut in 8 wedges
- 4 cups apple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole ground mustard
For Serving (optional):
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons whole ground mustard
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the carrots in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Layer corned beef, fat side up. Sprinkle the seasoning packet on top of corned beef. Fit cabbage wedges on top and around sides of brisket.1 pound baby carrots, 3 pounds flat-cut corned beef, 1 small cabbage
- Whisk together the apple juice, brown sugar, and mustard. Pour liquid over everything in the crock pot.4 cups apple juice, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon whole ground mustard
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high 5-7 hours until meat is very tender. Slice beef against the grain. Mix together (optional) mustard and butter and serve with vegetables and corned beef.4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons whole ground mustard
Notes
Reheating
The best way to reheat corned beef and cabbage is to simmer covered on the stove. Save the cooking liquid from the corned beef. Place the leftovers in a pot, pour the liquid over, bring to a boil, then cover and gently simmer until potatoes are warmed through.Making in an Instant Pot
- In the pressure cooker pour 2 cups apple juice, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir to combine.
- Set the rack in the Instant Pot and place corned beef on top. Sprinkle seasoning packet over top.
- Cook on HIGH for 80 minutes cooking time with a 20 minute natural release, then quick release.
- Remove corned beef and wrap in foil to keep warm. Remove rack.
- Strain the cooking liquid with a mesh strainer. Pour cooking liquid back into the pressured cooker. Add the carrots and cabbage. Cook on HIGH for 8 minutes and then quick release.
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Too sweet for my taste. Carrots & cabbage came out very sweet. Potatoes were fine. I prefer a more savory dish.
Hi Cindy,
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Yes, it’s not the traditional way to make corned beef and cabbage, and taste preferences are definitely personal. At least you know now what you prefer!
Best,
Melissa
I have made this recipe for years now.. I do take cooking liquid about a cup or so to boil my potatoes separately so they don’t overcook, I use red potatoes. My boys love this meal I love it because it’s simple and delicious.
Thank you, Ana! I appreciate this so much. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Best,
Melissa
My family demolished this corned beef. I did add onion too.
Lol, my family does too. I wish corned beef didn’t shrink down so much when you cook it because I feel like I never have enough. I spend a fortune on it!
Best,
Melissa
I have made this a bunch of times and love the sweetness of the broth. This is a favorite recipe for sure!!❤️Thank you!
Thank you so much, Pam! I really appreciate it!
Best,
Melissa
Can I put small red potatoes in the crockpot as well? I have a recipe that puts cut onions underneath the meat so it is elevated.
Yes, you certainly can. I used to do it that way for a number of years, but honestly, I don’t love the flavor of apple juice and brown sugar absorbed into the potatoes. That is why I decided to start cooking them separate.
Best,
Melissa
I have been making this recipe likely since you first shared, it’s my go to. I love the updates and so much appreciated the added context of the amount of ingredients in the instructions! You literally have won recipe writing in my book!! Thank you, now off to throw this together!
Wow, Liz! Thank you for the kind words and for sharing. I really appreciate it!
Best,
Melissa
I also failed to mention that I do half apple juice and half beef broth. So good! Again, came out perfectly yesterday!
I pinned this previously because it sounds like a delicious option for cooking corned beef (haven’t tried it yet). I wonder if you think a point cut corned beef will work well with this recipe? I’d love to know why you recommend flat cut over point cut? I have never noticed a difference, and usually purchase the point variety, as it’s the cheaper option (indicating likely not the best one)? Thanks for any pointers in this regard. Looking forward to trying your recipe!
Hello,
The point cut will be fine. I prefer the flat cut because it slices easily. The point cut becomes almost a shredded consistency, or very fall apart tender, after cooking in the crockpot. But, either way the taste is still great. It’s just a matter of slicing.
Best,
Melissa
Please do not put cabbage in the slow cooker with the corned beef and the rest of the vegetables. The whole meal tasted sour and fermented. They must be cooked separately.
Hello,
If you read through the post, I do offer suggestions for cooking the vegetables separately. Personally, I love the taste of the cabbage and always leave that in. Sometimes I do cook the potatoes separately, though.
Best,
Melissa
Hi,
Just letting you know that there is something wrong with your metric conversion tab, as there was only one item in the recipe list that converted to metric? But likewise, I still want to try this recipe in the IP.
Cheers,
John
Hi John,
It’s an automated converter so sometimes it doesn’t all convert. It’s fixed now and I appreciate you letting me know!
Best,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for fixing that, it’s much appreciated for us metric people of the world. 🙂
Cheers,
John
Could I so this in a an electric roaster at 200 degrees for same time of crock pot???
Hi Autumn,
Yes that would work perfectly fine! Enjoy!
Best,
Melissa
Do I set the time for 80 minutes or 20. ?
Hi Carol,
You set it for 80 minutes. Then when the timer is up you let it sit for 20 minutes for the pressure to naturally release. Then let out any remaining pressure.
Enjoy!
Melissa
My family loved it! Sadly no leftovers though haha. Had to substitute half of the apple juice for a Shiner and it still tasted great!
Hey Bethany,
That’s a fantastic idea! I bet the beer went great with it. I NEVER have enough when I make this. The kids take it down too fast!
Best,
Melissa
Thank you for doing this. Your work is so lovely and it’s really kind of you to share.
Thank you this was the best. Its a once a year thing in our house so who knows how it will turn out.
Like most people, we would have corned beef once a year. But today, I am making this again for a second time per my husband and mother’s request (A very picky duo). While the ingredients were not completely different from what I have used before, using my Crock-pot Express Cooker (don’t have the Instant Pot), and your method was. Melissa, this was amazing and by far the best corned beef I have ever made! You have now replaced my tried and true recipe that I have been making for years! Thank you for proving that there is always room for improvement, and that change can be rewarding!
Off to cook! Cheers! ♥
Wow, this comment really made my day. Thank you for taking time out of your day to let me know. It’s always a great feeling to find a recipe that picky eaters enjoy 😉 I do believe this about this recipe, though. It makes non-corned beef eaters true fans!
Best,
Melissa
Thank you this was the best. Its a once a year thing in our house so who knows how it will turn out. Moist corn beef and the veggies and potatoes not over done. Delicious. I also made the Irish Soda Bread. I am a cook but not a baker. It was so good. When I put it in the oven my husband looked at me like you are not trying to bake again, He ate half of it. Thanks again.
Cindy
This definitely put a smile on my face. I especially loved the bit about your husband doubting you. Way to show him up! I’m so happy I could help make St. Patrick’s Day meal a success. 🙂
Best,
Melissa
I have made corned beef twice and I’m 43. Both times they were leather. This recipe is absolutely by far the best I have ever had! My husband and son were blown away. This will be my only recipe for corned beef from now on. Thank you so much!
Thank you Kristin! I’m so happy this recipe was the winner for you. That makes me so happy!
Best,
Melissa
HELP!!!
Should the liquid be covering the corned beef and cabbage?!?
I followed this recipe today but changed the proportion of corned beef. I put 2.5 point cut and 3 lbs flat cut in the crock pot. I was a little nervous because this was my first time making corned beef in the crock pot and I wasn’t sure if the liquid should have been covering the meat…it did not. I cooked everything on high for 7hours and it came out absolutely perfect. My entire family loved it. We cooked additional pieces of corned beef the traditional way on the stove and the crockpot pieces were bar far preferred by our guests.
Great recipe!
Thank you Jessica and I truly appreciate you taking the time to let me know how it turned out for you. I’m sure that’s helpful for other readers as well, knowing you don’t have to have the liquid cover the meat. You must have had a lot of party guests! That is a lot of corned beef!
Best,
Melissa
I have made this for years my brother comes up every year I do 2 crockpot full it verry good
Lol, same! And I make it just for my family this way because we want to eat it FOR DAYS!
Best,
Melissa
Worst corned beef I’ve ever had in my life. And being New York Irish, I’ve had a lot. The flavor of the veggies was really good, but the corned beef was wicked dry. Dry and corned beef don’t belong in the same sentence! Used the slow cooker method. Will not use this recipe again. Considering how expensive corned beef is, I’m extremely disappointed and wish I had stuck to my tried and true.
Wow. Something tells me you didn’t like how your corned beef turned out? I’m truly sorry it was a frustrating experience for you. I know I would be upset too if I spent all the that money and it turned out so bad. A lot of people (me for one!) don’t make corned beef very often because of the cost. I’m not sure exactly what happened for it to be so overcooked, but I do just want to say I feel you, and I’ve been there with cooking experiences before.
Best,
Melissa
I have made your instant pot corned based recipe twice now and it is amazing!!! The whole family loves it!!! Thanks so much!!!
Corned beef! Lol
You’re welcome! The instant pot version is something I came up with this year, and I have to say, I think i prefer it over the slow cooker. I like how the vegetables cook separate so everything is more accurately timed. Glad your family enjoys it as well, Alicia!
Hello Helena!
Thank you so much for writing and I’m truly sorry you had issues. The recipe says to cook on LOW for 10-12 hours, so maybe that’s why it was undercooked? I’ve made this several times this past month and the timing has worked for me. However, just as every one’s oven cooks differently, so do crockpots (which, I’m SUPER jealous of yours!). I’ve gone through some different crockpots and I always have to adjust the cooking times on them based on how hot they cook. Again, I apologize for you troubles and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Best,
Melissa
Wonderful, so glad to hear it and happy you enjoyed your dinner!
My family is fond of beef and so, I love to try new recipes for moist beef, but I don’t have a slow cooker. However, I’ll buy it soon. Can you tell me if I can put the frozen beef directly into the slow cooker or do I need to defrost it first? & what maximum amount of beef can be cooked in a one pot slow cooker?
Hi Corrie,
I don’t recommend putting frozen beef in the slow cooker for two reasons. First, this corned beef takes quite awhile to cook in the slow cooker and adding the time to thaw it first would take a few hours longer. Also, since the slow cooker cooks gradually it’s risky for the meat to stay at those in-between temps for too long. It could spoil the meat and make you sick.
People do put frozen meat in the instant pot with success, though. This works because the meat is brought to a safe temperature much faster.
If you have at least a 6 quart slow cooker you can fit up to a 4 pound brisket with all the veggies. Hope that helps and enjoy!
Melissa
I can’t wait to make this!!
I hope you love it as much as we all do. Enjoy!