Mouthwatering 8-Hour Slow Cooker Corned Beef Masterpiece

There’s nothing quite like walking into a house filled with the rich, savory smell of slow-cooked corned beef. It instantly takes me back to my grandma’s kitchen, where she’d make this delicious corned beef in slow cooker every St. Patrick’s Day. What I love most is how effortlessly tender the meat becomes – just set it and forget it while the slow cooker works its magic. Now it’s my go-to recipe when I want that same comforting flavor without all the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

This recipe is my absolute favorite way to make corned beef, and here’s why:

• Melt-in-your-mouth tender: The low-and-slow cooking breaks down tough fibers so every bite is juicy and fork-tender (no knife required!)
• Hands-off magic: Just prep everything in the morning and let your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day
• Complete one-pot meal: The veggies cook right alongside the beef in that flavorful spice-infused broth – minimal cleanup!
• Spice packet perfection: That little seasoning packet included with the brisket? It’s packed with just the right blend of peppercorns, mustard seeds and bay leaves to create that classic corned beef flavor we all crave

Ingredients for Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

Here’s everything you’ll need for that perfect, fall-apart tender corned beef dinner:

• 3 lb corned beef brisket with spice packet – Don’t toss that little seasoning packet! It’s gold.
• 4 cups water – Just enough to create steam without drowning our beef
• 1 large onion, quartered – The bigger pieces hold up better during the long cook
• 4 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks – Perfect for grabbing with a fork
• 4 russet potatoes, cut into quarters – My grandma swore russets soak up flavor best
• 1 small green cabbage, cut into 8 wedges – Add these later so they stay crisp-tender

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

When picking your brisket, look for one with even marbling – that fat means flavor! If your cut didn’t come with a spice packet (happens sometimes), mix 1 tablespoon pickling spice with 1 teaspoon each mustard seeds and black peppercorns. For the veggies, keep those cuts chunky – tiny pieces turn to mush after 8 hours. No russets? Yukon golds work great too, just cut them slightly larger since they’re more tender.

Equipment Needed for Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

Here’s what you’ll want to have ready before starting:

• 6-quart slow cooker – The perfect size for our brisket and veggies to cook without crowding
• Good cutting board and sharp knife – For prepping those chunky vegetables and trimming any excess fat
• Measuring cups – Just one 4-cup measure for our water is all you really need

Nice-to-have but not essential: a meat thermometer if you want to check that internal temperature (aim for 190°F for perfect tenderness). That’s it – see how simple this is?

How to Make Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

Okay, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens – turning that tough brisket into fork-tender perfection. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create restaurant-quality corned beef right in your slow cooker.

Step 1: Prepare the Corned Beef

First things first – take your brisket out of its packaging (save that precious spice packet!) and give it a quick rinse under cold water. If there’s a really thick fat cap, you can trim some off, but leave about 1/4 inch – trust me, that fat melts into pure flavor during cooking. Now place it fat side up in your slow cooker – this lets the juices baste the meat as it cooks. Sprinkle that spice packet evenly over the top like you’re seasoning a prized steak.

Step 2: Add Liquids and Vegetables

Pour in exactly 4 cups of water – any more and you’ll dilute those amazing flavors. Now arrange your quartered onion, carrot chunks, and potato wedges around (not on top of!) the beef. I like to tuck some underneath too – they’ll soak up all that beefy goodness as they cook. The veggies should peek out of the liquid just slightly – we’re braising here, not boiling!

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW for 8 hours. No peeking! That steady low heat works its magic transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. You’ll know it’s done when you can poke a fork in and it slides right out with zero resistance. The meat should pull apart easily but still hold its shape when sliced.

Step 4: Add Cabbage

Here’s my grandma’s trick – with about 2 hours left, gently nestle those cabbage wedges into the liquid around the beef. Don’t overcrowd them – they need space to steam properly. This timing gives them just enough cook time to become tender-crisp without turning to mush. Perfect cabbage every time!

Tips for Perfect Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are my can’t-live-without tips for corned beef perfection:

• Slice against the grain: When serving, always cut across those long muscle fibers – it makes every bite tender instead of stringy (look for the lines running through the meat and slice perpendicular to them)
• Skim the fat: Before serving, use a spoon to remove excess fat from the cooking liquid – leaves all the flavor without the greasiness
• Keep veggie sizes uniform: Cutting carrots and potatoes to similar sizes means everything cooks evenly – no mushy pieces next to undercooked chunks!

Bonus tip from my grandma: Let the beef rest for 10 minutes before slicing – it stays juicier that way!

Serving Suggestions for Delicious Corned Beef

Oh, the joy of plating up this gorgeous corned beef! My favorite way is to arrange thick slices on a platter surrounded by those tender veggies – the carrots glistening with that beefy glaze. Must have accompaniments? A dollop of spicy brown mustard (the tang cuts through the richness perfectly) and thick slices of rye bread to soak up all those juices. Don’t forget the pickles! Their bright acidity balances everything beautifully.

Here’s my secret: save that incredible cooking liquid! Strain it into a gravy boat to serve as an au jus for dipping – it’s packed with all those spices and beef flavors. Sometimes I’ll even reduce it slightly on the stovetop to intensify the taste. Leftovers? They make the best Reuben sandwiches you’ll ever taste.

Storing and Reheating Delicious Corned Beef

Leftovers? Lucky you! Store the cooled corned beef and veggies in airtight containers with some of that amazing cooking liquid to keep everything moist. They’ll stay delicious for 3-4 days in the fridge. When reheating, gently warm slices in the liquid – either in the microwave or a saucepan over low heat. Want to freeze? Wrap individual portions tightly in foil then place in freezer bags. They’ll keep for 2-3 months, but honestly? Mine never lasts that long – it’s too good!

Nutritional Information for Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

Keep in mind these are estimates, but here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (about 1/6 of the recipe): 420 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated), 1200mg sodium, 25g carbs (4g fiber, 5g sugar), and a whopping 32g protein. That spice packet adds flavor without extra calories!

Frequently Asked Questions About Delicious Corned Beef in Slow Cooker

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about making corned beef in the slow cooker – here are the ones that come up most often:

Can I cook this on HIGH instead of LOW? Absolutely! If you’re short on time, cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours instead. But trust me – that low-and-slow method really does give the most tender results. The extra time lets all those spices fully penetrate the meat.

What if my corned beef didn’t come with a spice packet? No worries! Mix 1 tablespoon pickling spice with 1 teaspoon each mustard seeds and black peppercorns. Sometimes I’ll add a bay leaf too for extra depth. This homemade blend works just as well as the packet.

How can I reduce the sodium in this recipe? First, rinse the brisket really well before cooking – this removes some surface salt. Then use low-sodium broth instead of water, and skip adding any extra salt. The meat will still be plenty flavorful from all those spices!

For more slow cooker inspiration, check out RecipeTin Eats.

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