Name: Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 10 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2½ pounds corned beef brisket; 1 onion sliced; 6 red potatoes peeled and halved; 2 cups baby carrots; 1 cabbage cut into wedges; 1 beef bouillon cube; 1 clove garlic minced; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon dry mustard; The spice packet that comes with the corned beef brisket (optional); 1 teaspoon caraway seeds; 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

There’s just something incredibly cozy about a meal that bubbles away all day, filling your home with warm, comforting aromas. This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe is exactly that kind of dish—simple to prep, effortless to cook, and deeply satisfying when dinner rolls around.

A slow cooker filled with a layer of cooked vegetables including light brown quartered potatoes, orange baby carrots, and translucent cooked cabbage. On top, there is a thick layer of sliced medium-rare roast beef, showing a dark brown crust sprinkled with coarse mustard seeds and cracked black pepper, and a pinkish-red interior. The vegetables surround the beef, adding color and texture contrast. The slow cooker is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe—how the house smelled like a little Irish bistro by dinnertime. It’s hands-off cooking that delivers a hearty, tender meal perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner.

True set-it-and-forget-it ease: Just toss everything in your crockpot and let it do the magic while you go about your day.
Perfectly tender meat and veggies: Slow cooking ensures the corned beef melts in your mouth, and the cabbage stays just right.
Great for busy days: You can prep in 10 minutes and come home to a deliciously cooked meal.
Flexible and forgiving: You can easily swap veggies or adjust seasonings to fit your taste.

The image shows a dish with five thick slices of pink roast beef covered in mustard seeds and herbs, placed in the middle. Below and around the beef, there are several pieces of orange baby carrots, light yellow potato chunks, and soft cabbage leaves. All the ingredients are inside a black slow cooker bowl. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in delivering that classic corned beef and cabbage flavor, while the crockpot blends those tastes slowly for maximum tenderness. Here’s what you’ll want to grab and why they’re important:

Flat lay of a large piece of fresh corned beef brisket with a deep red color and trimmed fat, a whole round onion sliced in half showing white layers, six peeled and halved red potatoes with smooth skin, two cups of vibrant orange baby carrots, one whole garlic clove peeled and smooth, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright yellow dry mustard powder, a small white ceramic bowl with dark brown Worcestershire sauce, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear beef broth, a quartered fresh green cabbage with crisp leaves, a small white ceramic bowl holding light brown caraway seeds, and one unopened beef bouillon cube in natural form—all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Corned beef brisket: This is the star of the show; I usually pick flat cut for easier slicing.
Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth to the cooking liquid.
Red potatoes: They hold their shape well and soak up savory juices.
Baby carrots: Sweet and tender, they balance the richness of the meat.
Beef bouillon cube: Boosts the broth’s meaty flavor without extra effort.
Garlic: Just a clove gives a subtle punch of aroma and taste.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami complexity that really rounds out the broth.
Dry mustard: Gives a gentle tang that cuts through the richness.
Spice packet (optional): Comes with most corned beef and packs traditional seasoning.
Cabbage: The crisp, slightly sweet cabbage is essential; adding it later keeps it from overcooking.
Caraway seeds: A little herbal warmth that complements the cabbage perfectly.
Beef broth (low-sodium): Keeps everything moist and flavorful throughout the long cook time.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your preferences. Whether you like your cabbage softer, or prefer swapping out veggies, it’s super flexible.

Variation: I sometimes add parsnips or turnips for a slightly different root vegetable vibe, which adds lovely sweetness and texture.
Make it gluten-free: Just double-check your Worcestershire sauce label to keep it safe and delicious.
Turn up the spice: If you enjoy heat, a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes in the broth wakes things up nicely.
Swap the broth: I’ve had great results using Guinness beer instead of beef broth for a richer, deeper flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Step 1: Trim and prep your brisket

I always start by trimming the brisket of any visible fat. It helps prevent the dish from feeling greasy and keeps the flavors clean. Spray your crockpot with a nonstick spray to make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Layer your veggies

Place your sliced onion, halved red potatoes, and baby carrots at the bottom of the crockpot. This acts like a veggie bed for the meat to rest on and infuses them with all those delicious juices during cooking.

Step 3: Place the corned beef brisket

Lay the trimmed brisket right on top of the veggies. This position ensures the meat stays juicy and tender as the slow cooker gently does its thing.

Step 4: Mix and pour the broth mixture

Whisk together your beef bouillon, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and the beef broth until well combined. Pour this flavorful liquid evenly over the brisket. Sprinkle the optional spice packet over the meat—it adds that classic corned beef seasoning punch.

Step 5: Slow cook

Pop the lid on and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. About one hour before the cooking time is up, tuck your cabbage wedges and caraway seeds in. This way your cabbage stays tender but still has a bit of crunch and that herbal lift.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

When it’s done, remove the cooking liquid (you can save it for soup base or discard). Slice the corned beef against the grain for tenderness, arrange the veggies, and serve. A dab of mustard on the side is perfect if you like a little zing!

Top Tip

I’ve found a few key tricks over the years that make this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe turn out wonderfully every time, even if you’re new to slow cooking.

Trim the fat: Removing excess fat from the brisket helps keep the broth from getting greasy and keeps the meat's rich flavor balanced.
Add cabbage later: If you add cabbage too early, it can get mushy—adding it about one hour before the end keeps it tender but still lively.
Use a meat thermometer: For the perfectly cooked corned beef, aim for an internal temperature of at least 145°F to ensure tenderness and safety.
Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce: It adds subtle umami depth that sets this Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe apart from others.

How to Serve Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

corned beef and cabbage - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to serve this dish sprinkled with a little fresh parsley for a pop of color and brightness. Sometimes I add a few whole-grain mustard seeds or a dollop of spicy brown mustard on the side for dipping, which I think really complements the savory meat.

Side Dishes

Potatoes and carrots slow-cooked in the broth are part of my go-to sides here, but if you want to mix it up, buttery Irish soda bread or a simple crusty loaf make fantastic companions. I’ve also served this with creamy mashed potatoes for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For St. Patrick’s Day or special family dinners, I like to slice the corned beef thin and serve it layered on a wooden board next to the veggies, garnished with fresh herbs and rye crackers. It turns a humble meal into a charming spread everyone loves to dig into.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store the meat and veggies together with a bit of the cooking liquid to keep everything moist and flavorful.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I like to portion the meat and veggies separately in freezer-safe containers or bags with some broth. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently for best texture.

Reheating

For reheating, warming gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or in the microwave at medium power helps prevent drying out. I avoid overheating to keep the corned beef tender and juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

While corned beef brisket is traditional and ideal due to its fat content and tenderness, you can technically use a similar slow-cooking cut like a chuck roast, but the flavor and texture might vary.

Do I need to rinse the corned beef before cooking?

Rinsing corned beef is optional. It can reduce some saltiness, but I often skip it to retain more flavor. If you prefer less salt, give it a quick rinse under cold water.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe is centered around meat, but for a vegetarian twist, you could slow cook hearty vegetables and beans with vegetable broth and spices. However, it won't replicate the corned beef flavor exactly.

How do I know when the corned beef is done?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the corned beef has reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. The meat should be fork-tender and easy to slice against the grain.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the kind of meal that turns any ordinary day into a warm, memorable occasion. I love how easy it is to prepare yet how impressive it feels to serve. I really hope you give it a try—it might just become your new favorite go-to comfort food too.