Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage is hands-down the best corned beef recipe! Corned Beef brisket flavored with brown sugar, mustard, and apple juice can be cooked in the crock pot or Instant Pot.
Place the potatoes in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Layer with carrots then corned beef, fat side up. Sprinkle the seasoning packet on top of corned beef. Fit cabbage wedges on top and around sides of brisket.
Whisk together the apple juice, brown sugar, and mustard. Pour liquid over everything in the crock pot.
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.
Instant Pot Instructions:
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, fat side up. Sprinkle the seasoning packet over the top. Cook on HIGH for 80 minutes 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. Discard solids and pour the cooking liquid back into the pressure cooker. Place potatoes, carrots, and cabbage in the pressure cooker. Cook on HIGH for 8 minutes and quick release.
Mix together (optional) mustard and butter and serve with vegetables and corned beef.
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Notes
Best Tips and Tricks
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 to make it all fit, use this extremely flavorful Crispy Roasted Cabbage recipe.
For a less sweet version, cover with water, beer, beef broth or a combination instead of apple juice.
If the lid won't fit securely with all the cabbage, no worries. Just cover the top with foil and place the lid on top of the foil. As it cooks everything will reduce in size.
For additional seasonings, throw in 2 bay leaves, a couple garlic cloves, and the spice packet.
Make sure to use a large slow cooker or instant pot. At least a 6-quart slow cooker or instant pot is best.
If you don't have a large enough slow cooker, leave out the potatoes and cook them separately with this salt potatoes recipe.
Reheating Tips
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.