Description
This Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooker Corned Beef Comfort Dish is a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for a family gathering or cozy dinner. Tender corned beef brisket cooks low and slow atop a bed of baby potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, and cabbage in a savory broth infused with pickling spice and bay leaves, resulting in a deliciously moist and well-seasoned dish with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Corned Beef and Seasoning
- 3 pounds Corned Beef Brisket (flat cut, with seasoning packet)
- 2 tablespoons Pickling Spice
- 2 leaves Bay Leaves
Vegetables
- 1 pound Baby Potatoes (halved if large)
- 4 medium Carrots (cut into chunks)
- 1 head Green Cabbage (cut into wedges)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (peeled and whole)
Liquids
- 4 cups Beef Broth (or water for a lighter touch)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Halve the baby potatoes if they are large, chop the carrots into evenly sized chunks, cut the cabbage into wedges, finely chop the yellow onion, and peel the garlic cloves to ensure even cooking and the best flavor integration.
- Layer Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Place the baby potatoes and carrot chunks at the bottom of the slow cooker to allow them to cook thoroughly. Sprinkle the chopped onion and whole garlic cloves evenly over the potatoes and carrots.
- Add Corned Beef: Place the corned beef brisket on top of the vegetable layer with the fat side facing up. This helps to baste the meat and keep it tender during cooking. Sprinkle the seasoning packet evenly over the meat to infuse authentic flavor.
- Add Broth and Bay Leaves: Carefully pour the beef broth around the corned beef, avoiding washing off the seasoning on top. Add bay leaves into the broth to enhance the aroma and depth of flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low heat for 8-9 hours, or for a faster option, cook on high for 5-6 hours. This slow cooking process allows the corned beef to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Cabbage: About 2 hours before the cooking time is complete, place the cabbage wedges on top inside the slow cooker. This timing ensures the cabbage cooks just enough to be tender yet retain its texture and nutrients.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooking is finished, carefully remove the corned beef and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the sliced meat alongside the cooked vegetables and spoon generous amounts of broth over the top for a comforting and complete meal.
Notes
- Choosing a flat cut brisket with the seasoning packet included provides the best flavor and texture.
- Halving larger baby potatoes ensures even cooking.
- Adding the cabbage later in the cooking process prevents it from becoming too mushy.
- Letting the meat rest after cooking helps retain juices and makes slicing easier.
- Use beef broth for a richer taste, or substitute with water for a lighter dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
