Crockpot corned beef and cabbage recipe

Here’s a simple recipe for crockpot corned beef and cabbage:

Ingredients for Crockpot corned beef and cabbage:

• 1 (3-4 pound) corned beef brisket with seasoning packet
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 small head of cabbage, cut into wedges
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the corned beef under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
2. Place the sliced onions, minced garlic, carrots, and potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Place the corned beef on top of the vegetables in the crockpot.
4. Sprinkle the seasoning packet that came with the corned beef over the meat.
5. Add mustard seeds if desired for extra flavor.
6. Pour the beef broth and water over the corned beef.
7. Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is tender.
8. About 1 hour before serving, add the cabbage wedges to the crockpot.
9. Cook until the cabbage is tender.
10. Once everything is cooked, remove the corned beef from the crockpot and slice it against the grain.
11. Serve the sliced corned beef with the vegetables and a ladle of the cooking liquid.

Enjoy your delicious crockpot corned beef and cabbage!

FAQs

• Does corned beef have to be covered in water in a slow cooker?

• Yes, it’s generally recommended to cover the corned beef with water or another liquid, such as beef broth or beer, when cooking it in a slow cooker. This helps to ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the cooking process.

• What happens if you don’t rinse corned beef before cooking?

• If you don’t rinse the corned beef before cooking, it may retain excess salt from the brining process. Rinsing the corned beef helps to remove some of the surface salt, resulting in a more balanced flavor in the final dish. However, if you prefer a saltier flavor, you can skip the rinsing step.

• Does corned beef get more tender the longer it is cooked?

• Yes, corned beef typically becomes more tender the longer it is cooked, especially when cooked low and slow in a slow cooker or braised in liquid. This allows the tough muscle fibers in the meat to break down gradually, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

• Should you brown corned beef before slow cooking?

• Browning corned beef before slow cooking is not necessary, but it can enhance the flavor and appearance of the final dish. Browning the meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker can create a caramelized crust on the surface, which adds depth of flavor and texture to the finished corned beef. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a simpler preparation method, you can skip the browning step without compromising the overall quality of the dish.